MTRCB urges families to check this week’s film ratings before watching

 

FANS of horror, fantasy, romance and thriller flicks are in for a treat as the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) rated six movies showing in theaters this week.

 

MTRCB Chair and CEO Lala Sotto reminded parents and guardians of young viewers to first check the Board’s ratings before buying their tickets as most of this week’s offerings are rated R-13, with one given an R-16 rating.

 

“Ang tema ng ilan sa mga pelikulang palabas ngayong linggo ay maaring hindi bagay sa mga batang manonood, kaya’t mahalaga na nariyan ang ating mga magulang upang gabayan sila,” she said. 

 

“Hinihikayat namin ang publiko na tangkilikin ang mga tampok na sineng ito bilang suporta sa industriya ng pelikula,” Sotto added. 

 

A G or General Audience rating means a film is suitable for all ages, while PG (Parental Guidance) means a parent or guardian must accompany younger viewers.

 

An R-13 means a film is suitable for 13 and up viewers, while an R-16 is for 16 or older. An R-18 is for adult audiences only. 

 

“I, Object,” rated PG, stars Bentley Storteboom, Skywalker Hughes and Anna Faris. It tells the story of a grieving young boy, who takes refuge in everyday objects that speak to him and help him in his healing process. 

 

The Agency said younger audiences need guidance in watching the fantasy film, given its “thematic element that deals with childhood grief, mild fantasy peril and some mild language.”

 

Rated R-13 is the 2021 movie, “Ang Babaeng Walang Pakiramdam,” which stars Kim Molina and Jerald Napoles and will be exclusively shown in SM Cinemas starting July 24.

 

The MTRCB cited its mature romantic-comedy and drama themes involving a woman with congenital insensitivity to pain, emotional detachment, love, heartache, self-discovery and the acceptance of a person with cleft palate. 

 

“Although the story appears inspirational and values-oriented, the sporadic use of swear words and foul language makes it unsuitable for a PG classification and more appropriate for viewers thirteen (13) years old and above,” the Agency said.

 

“Lockbox,” a horror film starring Carla Gugino, Lou Taylor Pucci and Katharine Isabelle, was rated R-13.

 

Its depictions of supernatural possession, with occasional frightening and gory scenes “may be not be suitable for children below 13 years of age,” the MTRCB said. 

 

Another R-13 rated movie is “Tuner,” a 2025 crime thriller featuring Leo Woodall and Dustin Hoffman that tells the story of a talented piano tuner who discovers a gift for cracking safes using his sensitive hearing. It will be exclusively shown in Ayala Malls Cinemas. 

 

The MTRCB said its themes involving crime, morality and the consequences of unlawful actions require a more mature level of understanding and may not be appropriate for younger viewers.

 

The thriller also contains frequent use of strong language, depicts criminal activities, threats and moderate acts of violence, and a scene showing drug use. 

 

It added that the scenes of criminal conduct and the repeated use of strong language “may be imitated or perceived as acceptable by younger audiences without proper parental guidance.”

 

The horror flick, “Slumber Party Massacre,” was rated R-13 and will be shown exclusively in Megaworld Cinemas. It stars Hannah Gonera, Frances Sholto Douglas and Mila Rayne, and is a remake of the 1982 slasher film about sorority girls who are attacked by a manic killer.

 

Another horror film, “Pinocchio Unstrung,” was rated R-16. It is a dark reimagining of the tale of the iconic puppet, Pinocchio, and his journey towards becoming real. 

 

It stars Jude Evan Lloyd as the voice of Pinocchio, Richard Brake as Geppetto, the woodcarver who created Pinocchio, and Robert Englund as the voice of Cricket.

 

The MTRCB said the retelling of the much-loved children’s story “contains mature horror themes, frightening scenes, violence, gore, disturbing deaths, body-horror elements, and frequent use of strong swear words and expletives by pre-teen characters.”