MTRCB issues R-16 ratings for this week’s sci-fi, action, suspense movies

 

CINEMA-goers have a wide array of movies to choose from – such as drama, sci-fi, anime, action and suspense flicks – after the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) gave its go signal for theatrical release.

 

MTRCB Chair and CEO Lala Sotto called on Filipinos to check the classification of this week’s movies before buying their tickets.

 

“Karamihan sa mga pelikulang palabas ngayong linggo ay rated R-16. Kailangan ng masusing paggabay sa panonood ng ating mga anak,” she said.

 

“Ganunpaman, inaasahan namin na maraming maeenganyo sa samu’t saring mga sine na tampok ngayon,” Sotto added.

 

“Resident Evil,” a reboot and the eighth movie in the film franchise, was classified as R-16 due to its intense profanity and strong language, strong and graphic violence, strong horror elements and imitable behavior. The sci-fi movie stars Austin Abrams, Paul Walter Hauser and Zach Cherry.

 

“R-16 is recommended because while the film contains intense violence, gore, and horror imagery, the fantastical nature of the infected creatures and supernatural circumstances makes the fictional context clearly apparent to the viewer,” the Agency said.

 

The action flick “Runner” also got an R-16 rating. It features Alan Ritchson, Owen Wilson and Rodrigo Santoro, and will be exclusively released in Megaworld Cinemas.

 

The MTRCB said the film’s violence is “frequent and intense but largely action-oriented and graphic.”

 

“Violence, bloody images, peril and infrequent coarse language. The film follows a former soldier racing against time to deliver a life-saving organ while being pursued by a violent cartel,” it said in its content advisory.

 

“My Mother’s Eyes,” a 2023 Japanese suspense movie about a mother and daughter involved in a traffic accident, was rated R-16. It stars Hisashi, Kosuke Hoshi and Takuma Izumi.

 

Although the film explores family dynamics, sacrifice and the complex relationship between mothers and daughters, the MTRCB said it also delves into the psychological impacts of disability and the ethics of cutting-edge medical technology.

 

It also has “graphic details of violence and gore” and refers to hallucinogenic drugs and drug use.

 

“The experimental medical technology and its consequences present ethical dilemmas that viewers might find thought-provoking but potentially disturbing. The film also touches on themes of depression and suicidal thoughts, which require mature understanding,” the Agency said.

 

The Filipino-produced “Edjop,” a biopic of Edgar Jopson, the student leader turned revolutionary, also received an R-16 rating. It features Elijah Canlas in the title role and Jodi Sta. Maria.

 

The Agency said the film contains “mature historical and political themes, frequent strong language, and sustained depictions of torture, custodial abuse, extrajudicial killings, armed encounters, and realistic violence which, although integral to the historical narrative and not gratuitous, require a higher degree of maturity to appreciate.”

 

“The film’s portrayal of the Martial Law period and its historical figures is presented within the context of a biographical dramatization of events of significant public and historical interest,” it added.

 

For those into Japanese anime, they might be interested in “The Irregular at Magic High School The Movie – Yotsuba Succession Arc,” which got an R-13 rating.

 

It is based on the popular web novel and light novel series and features the voices of Saori Hayami and Yuichi Nakamura. It will be exclusively shown in SM Cinemas.

 

“The film contains mature thematic elements involving family conflict, succession, political marriage and a complicated relationship between siblings. It also features fantasy violence and emotionally intense situations. The violence is presented within a fantastical animated context,” the MTRCB said.

 

The “Gateway Cineplex 18 Rewind: Mind Games and Dark Thriller” features three reissued movies: “Blink Twice” (R-16), “The Substance” (R-18) and “Orphan First Kill” (R-13). The reissued films will run from September 16 to 22.

 

“58^th,” an animated biographical movie based on the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, was given an R-16 rating. It stars the late Ricky Davao, Glaiza de Castro, Zyren dela Cruz, Marco Masa, Mikoy Morales and Biboy Ramirez.

 

“The movie utilized a blend of rotoscope animation, re-enacted personal recollection and official archive footages from the aftermath of the 2009 tragedy,” the MTRCB said, as it noted that its graphic depictions of violence and gore may be unsuitable for children below 16 years old.

 

Meanwhile, the “NCT 127 5^th Tour ‘NEO CITY: SEOUL – THE REDLINE” was rated Parental Guidance and will be exclusively shown in SM Cinemas.

 

A G or General Audience rating means a film is suitable for all ages, while PG or Parental Guidance means a parent or guardian must be present to supervise younger viewers.

 

An R-13 means a film is suitable for viewers aged 13 and up, while an R-16 is for 16 years old and above. An R-18 is for adult audiences only.