Movie Review: Espantaho

Monet, her mother Rosa and son Keith form a dysfunctional family. They both ended up falling in love with married men. Monet with Jack and Rosa with Pabling. The harvest from the riceland of Pabling helped them survive all these years. When drought reached them, they shifted to the buy and sell of antique products. After the burial of Pabling, a painting appears on their doorstep. This was about the same time that the real wife of Pabling arrives along with her 2 children claiming the land that her family owns. However, during the nine days of the “pasiyam”, people disappear one after another. Fearing for their lives, Monet and Rosa do everything to find out the cause of the disappearances. In doing so, utmost betrayal is slowly unraveled.

Espantaho works with the mystery it brings to the audience. It keeps you guessing as the story unfolds. The atmosphere the film builds will make you interested to watch the movie. The scarejumps are subtle but effective. The presence of Judy Ann Santos on the big screen is solid and this is a good comeback film for her. Her presence is felt in each scene. Lorna Tolentino and Chanda Romero gave a remarkable performance as support for the lead. The rest of the cast from Donna Cariaga, Eugene Domingo, Janice De Belen, Mon Confiado up to the good Child actor Kian Co gave a noteworthy performance as well. If you are up for horror that is based on our local tradition with a lot of surprises and twists on the side. Espantaho is a good choice.

 

My Verdict:  3.5/5