Nanay, tatay

I am an avid fan of Sine Sindak Horror Film Festival for 4 years now and I always watch it with my friends. It became extra special this year because two Filipino films was part of the line up and Nanay, Tatay was one of them.

With curiousity and anticipation, we watched Nanay, Tatay first. I expected less because I have never watched a memorable and impressive Filipino horror movie for the longest time.

Let me start by saying that the cinematography was brilliant. The lighting and location really added beauty in this film. Next is the sound effects, it gave me something that either made me scared or made me nervous. The story is unique and it was told effectively. The twist was the best for me.

To cap it off, the acting was really convincing. The ensemble really played a great part in making this movie a hit (no wonder the movie play date got extended even after the film festival schedule). Big kudos to Andrea del Rosario and Jeffrey Hidalgo (Nanay, Tatay respectively) for conveying emotions that this film required, but the spotlight goes to Elia Ilano who played Malena. She is the star of this movie! Elia effortlessly embodies the eerie, otherworldly presence, bringing a chilling intensity to every scene. Her ability to convey a sense of deep sorrow and malevolence with just a glance or subtle gesture is remarkable. Even without speaking, her body language and eye contact communicates a haunting vulnerability and raw power, making her an unforgettable presence on screen. She can be compared to Lotus Feet and Tiyanak as an iconic Pinoy horror movie character.

I hope to see more Filipino movies like this. Round of applause to their director, Roni Benaid.

I found the ending to be surprisingly not-so-predictable, which I appreciated. However, I felt that the pacing of the story was too rushed. The events unfolded quickly, making it seem like the characters were moving on without adequate buildup. There were some awkward scenes in the beginning, and it felt like the characters weren't quite comfortable with each other at first. Thankfully, as the story progressed, their chemistry improved.

One aspect I particularly loved was how the narrative manipulated the couple, especially Olive. The portrayal of her character added depth to the story. I also want to give a special shoutout to Andrea Del Rosario, who was really great in her role! Additionally, the actress who played Malena delivered an outstanding performance that truly stood out.

After watching this, I realized that I would never hear the "Nanay, Tatay" song or game the same way again, their representation really struck a chord with me.

Overall, while there were some pacing issues, the character development and strong acting made it an enjoyable experience.

Indeed, it has some predictable scenes (like all horror movies nowadays), but it would be wrong to say the storyline is your typical one, or that it's predictable either.

I didn't expect to be on the edge of my seat, genuinely scared, disturbed, and stressed. Props to that child actress-it's been a while since a film had this effect on me. Not sure if I was just sensitized, or perhaps, it really was that immersive.

We poked fun at it at the start, expecting a corny Filipino horror movie. But from the middle onward, things got a lot more interesting, and the suspense truly kicked in.

Watched it with my family, and we all loved it-even my mom. It could use fewer jump-scare sound effects in some scenes where silence could carry the atmosphere, and perhaps a bit less "showing."

But that's just an amateur's opinion. I really enjoyed it, and it's a step toward genuinely decent Filipino horror films.

I might even say I enjoyed this more than Mallari (though Mallari undoubtedly has a better production budget). But this one isn't far off.

What if an innocent childhood rhyme took on a darker meaning?

In Nanay, Tatay, a mysterious couple adopts three girls they found on the streets and soon after, strange occurrences begin in the house. The girls are haunted by what seems to be the ghost of the couple's late daughter.

The film's strong cinematography and intriguing opening build a suspenseful first half, hooking you with its eerie atmosphere. As the story unfolds, it does start to feel a bit predictable and familiar, giving off those "parang napanood ko na ito" moments. Still, the cast's solid performances make it an enjoyable watch. It's my first time watching Andrea del Rosario (played the Nanay), and she's very good here. Elia Ilano is also impressively haunting as the ghost, Xia Vigor is such a cutie, and Jeffrey Hidalgo does a good job as "Tatay," though his naturally kind demeanor softens the strict father vibes a bit.

Overall, Nanay, Tatay is a fun horror movie packed with jump scares, best enjoyed with friends or a crowd.

Nanay, tatay, gusto kong tinapay .....

ISA, DALAWA, TAKBO NA SA SM CINEMAS 👻