Aswang

I had never heard of this film, I must confess. The 90s were a horrible dry time for horror, but this isn't bad at all. It's pure schlock, frustrating at times and plot exposition isn't handled as well as it could be, but it's worth a watch if you like obscure horror.

The film plays like a cross between The Evil Dead (with the backwoods, claustrophobic feel and some 'running fast with the camera' bits) and the superior recent French movie Inside (the central concept, albeit given a supernatural angle). It's quite professionally done (although due to a lot of the nonsense I subject myself to, my standards are low!), the effects are good enough and the performances capable. Some of the concepts are a little distasteful, and in the gloomy netherworld of tame mid-90s horror, were probably quite nasty. I wasn't aware of Aswangs before watching this movie, very creepy mythical beasts. It's a shame this film didn't do better, as there's quite a bit of mileage in these nasty bloodsucking creatures, I reckon

( I really, really recognise the guy who plays the central male role, but this is the only movie he's done apparently...strange. He looks just like somebody else. Who could I be thinking of?)

I enjoyed this blend of horror. Something old. Something new. Of course, we old schoolers have seen this before....an old family with a sinister secret is hiding something and it's up to an outsider to find out what it is before they themselves are destroyed or consumed by it. In this film, it's something we didn't really expect so therein lies the true horror element. Not just a true horror element, but a taboo one at that. One of the best uses of horror in this film is the off screen presence of lurking doom. What is it? When will it strike. Who will it strike? How do you destroy or kill it? Is it human? Was it human? It's the same fear you get when walking in the woods near dark. A good creepy fear.

A young lady with child marries(for pay) into a wealthy family. Unbeknownst to her, they are a family of "Aswang"...predatory creatures of Phillipines-regional lore with an appetite for fetal human blood(sometimes extracted using their elongated wriggling probosces while the fetus is still inside the mother's womb...a rather sexually manky and squirm-inducing distinction of these mythical beasts). Also, it is interesting to note that these beings are devout Catholics(!).

ASWANG is a flawed but intriguing low-budget film, and there are scenes which will likely offend very sensitive people. Technically a tad grotty at times, but atmospheric enough to hold the interest of many horror buffs. A unique other-cultural study of vampirism, and one the likes of which I have personally not seen before

Despite the frequently negative criticism of this film, I maintain that it has some great moments, and is an overall fairly impressive minor-league effort.

5.5/10.

First off, if you are not a fan of Low Budget Horror Movies, go no further. You will not enjoy this movie. It appears to have been shot on 16mm film. Either that, or the stock they used was VERY old, because even in the new DVD transfer, there's a fair amount of grain.

HOWEVER, the plot is at least original (and you can't say that about ANYTHING out of Hollywood in the last few years) and the acting earnest.

That said, gore hounds will be disappointed, as this the new DVD appears to be a cut down "R" version that expunges some of the more graphic scenes. (I know they exist, at least one is shown in the trailer).

All told, this is an enjoyable Independent movie.

Damn! I've been fooled again! I still don't learn from previous lessons not to trust comments on DVD covers.

I don't know WHAT I was thinking when buying this DVD. Whoever wrote those comments and synopsis should be shot. It says here this movie was a sensation when it hit Sundance in 1994? What kind of sensation? Puking?

Let me quote some of what's written on the back cover:

"After a brief theatrical release, nervous video chains refused to carry the film and the shocker [BWAAAHAHAHAHA] all but disappeared."

When it disappeared, why did they bring it back? IT DISAPPEARED FOR A REASON, GODDAMMIT!!!!

I WANTED TO GET RID OF THIS MOVIE, BUT NOONE WANTS IT. I gave it to a friend for his birthday, and he posted it back to me a week later. that goes to show how bad it is. I hope more people would buy this film because I won't be the only one stoopid enough to see it.

Hey, i didn't even spoil it for you.