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| Kim Chui is "The Ghost Bride" |
Back in 2004, when Philippine cinema was said to be already dying, director Chito S. Rono (then known for his remake of Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara) gave Filipinos a horror film that brought back audiences to cinemas. Feng Shui (2004) broke box-office records and gave it’s star, Kris Aquino, the title box-office horror queen. The film revolves around a curse brought upon by a mysterious Chinese home ornament, a bagua. After this, Chito Rono followed this up with yet another box-office smash hit, Sukob (2006) which revolves around a curse from a Filipino wedding superstition. These films were two of my favorite al-time Pinoy movies, and they’re the reason why I first fell in love with the horror genre. That’s why I have been looking forward to Chito Rono’s return to form after a three year break from his last horror hit, Feng Shui 2 (2014). This time, he tackles yet another Chinese belief, an old tradition that is almost non-exist already in "The Ghost Bride".
To save her family from being homeless and her father (Robert Sena) suffering from a heart condition, Mayen (Kim Chiu) desperately agrees to take the offer of a Chinese matchmaker (Alice Dixson) for a huge amount of money. In exchange, Mayen must submit herself as a Ghost Bride to a wealthy but dead Chinese man. This deal, however, happens to be a deadly curse when the deceased groom's ghost becomes jealous and possessive of Mayen. It begins to take a toll on her and the people close to her heart. Ultimately, Mayen must make a choice on how to save herself, and most especially her family.
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| Screenshots from the trailer |
The story is actually pretty interesting. It amps up the film’s weirdness as the story delves further into old and unusual Chinese beliefs. The film takes it’s time before the actual conflict starts. Instead, it focused on introducing it’s characters, particularly it’s protagonist, Mayen (Kim Chui). The film takes it’s time in building her character and making us understand her current situation so that we can empathize with her and accept the actions she will be taking. Unlike most of Chito Rono’s previous horror films (Feng Shui, Sukob, The Healing), this movie doesn’t follow the typical slasher format. It doesn’t focus on raising the body count and instead, focusing on terrorizing it’s main character. Yes, there are some characters that gets killed along the way but they’re not that many as compared to the other films by Chito Rono. This is not another Feng Shui movie. Here, Chito Rono is focused on scaring the audience through Mayen and not through contant death sequences.
One thing that I also liked about this movie is that it’s characters were people you can sympathize. Mayen is your regular daughter who is willing to do anything for her family. Any breadwinner in the audience can relate to her actions. I liked that the characters in the story weren’t all introduced just to be killed off and to increase the body count. Instead, they all have a purpose, with the exception of Jerome Ponce which I did not really understand if his character has any use in the story. I mean, I love Jerome Ponce and he’s a good actor. But I think his character should have been given something to do at least, because honestly, the story could still move forward without his character. Aside from this, I love the rest of the characters of the story, especially Mayen’s auntie Akoh (Beverly Sarmiento) and her brother, Ahia (Victor Silayan).
This movie proves that no one can still top director Chito Rono when it comes to horror. He sure knows how to scare his audiences. Although his last horror film, Feng Shui 2, wasn’t that good (the movie starts out really fun and scary but the other half up being dragging and scare-free), he was able to redeem himself with The Ghost Bride. He was able to set up some pretty creepy moments, but the best part were those nicely doen ump scares that will get you when you least expect them. Not a lot of Filipino horror movies nowadays can do that to me but this movie was successful in giving me the scares. Also, the film’s weird concept really gives out a lot of creepiness to the film making it unique and unsettling.
The film also boast a powerful cast. Alice Dixson was magnetic as the matchmaker Angie Lao. Her portrayal was admittedly over-the-top, but she definitely nailed the part. Despite a lot of people stating that her stereotypical Chinoy accent sounded awkward, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I actually loved it. I think her weird portrayal adds some weirdness to her character and I would love to see more of Angie Lao in the future, maybe a sequel to the film or who knows, a spin-off about her character. Beverly Sarmiento also deserves some praise for her bravura performance as Mayen’s Akoh. She was one of my favorite characters from the movie and her psychic visions were really cool. Isay Alvarez was unrecognizable as the monk Suan Ming. I’ve never imagined her in a role like that and she reminded me so much of Tilda Swinton from the Marvel movie Doctor Strange. Christian Bables was also commendable in his short role. Of course, I have to admit, Kim Chui was the perfect choice for Mayen. I don’t think the film could have worked if some other actress were playing the lead role. She was Mayen and she definitely owned it.
The film also deserves some praise for it’s extravagant production values. From the sets to the look of the ghosts, everything was really good. I especially loved the part when Mayen’s character went to Nepal. The temple that they’ve used as a backdrop was stunning, and the view of the mountains in the finale was mesmerizing. I also enjoyed the film’s representation of hell. Though a lot of people hated that part, I loved it. It reminded me of the works of the Pang Brothers, particularly their horror flicks The Child’s Eye and Re-cycle.
The only other thing that I didn’t liked about the film is that there were some moments when there’s to much dialogue. I mean, you and your family’s life is already about to get endangered, yet you still have to bother having a small chit-chat with them? Too much talk instead of action. But aside from that, the whole movie was fantastic. This is a movie that is definitely worth your money. It promises a good time in the cinema and it delivers. It is the best example of a Chito Rono horror movie experience.
Rating: ✰✰✰✰✰ of 5
"The Ghost Bride" directed by Chito S. Rono, starring Kim Chiu, Matteo Guidicelli, Alice Dixson and Christian Bables
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