I just happened to stumble across this film and I found it impressive.

I won't deny that I was extremely hesitant about watching it because while I'm a thriller/horror junkie, the hurdles of cultural and decades of social divide were enough to make me think that it might not bring the same punch as a film with closer cultural relevance made in a more modern time. I was wrong.

Of course the quality of the film is dated but the subject matter and atmosphere quickly pulled at my interests. A sense of oppression is felt at the onset and the atmosphere it creates permeates the entire film making one feel anxious. The cast of actors did an amazing job in their roles making each relatable. The story is loosely inspired by a real life situation that took place in the 60's.

If you like thrillers you might find this an enjoyable watch. My only advice would be to watch the film before researching anything on the true life events so that you might feel the heaviness of uncertainty.

A taught, compact film that tackles one of the few taboo subjects in Filipino society and not often successfully translated to local cinema. But director Mike De Leon was able to wrap this sensitive subject around a crime-thriller plot, and the film drives you along with its the skillful actors and suspenseful narrative, before bringing you head-on to its gruesome ending. Charo Santos plays the naive, daughter trapped in the manipulative control of his father and a mother who turned to religion to deny the situation happening before her eyes. Santos' marriage to Jay Ilagan somehow tripped the father into dark obsession and through contrived manipulation, sought to trap the couple back into his control--and eventually, the tragic end. Vic Silayan as the evil patriarch is casting made perfect. Eerie and subtly textured in its pacing and cinematography, the film indeed earned its place in a glorious era than spanned from mid 70's to early 80's .