The Entity is a 2019 Filipino horror film about a family haunted by what appears to be the ghost of their youngest daughter. The original title is Kuwaresma
Directed by Erik Matti (Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2; ABCs of Death 2 ‘I is for Invincible’; Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles) from a screenplay written by Katski Flores based on a story by Matti and Flores, the Reality Entertainment-Globe Studios movie stars Sharon Cuneta, John Arcilla, Kent Gonzales and Pam Gonzales.
Reviews:
“There was fascinating mixing of music and spooky sound elements with a full wall of sound effects. The production design really worked hard with the costumes and props as the scenes jumped decades from 1944 to 1965 to 1985. Its moody bluish-tinged cinematography plus the tight editing created some good jump scares, with above-average ghost and monster visual effects for more frights.” ABS-CBN
“Despite the award-winning actors’ admirable attempt at turning the cliché into a somewhat decent horror film, it still didn’t deliver with its anticlimactic plot twists and cheesy plotline.” Grave Reviews
“It sends a myriad of messages, some of which may feel abhorrent depending mainly on perspective. This is all good. A fine horror film should never feel easy. It should disrupt and put the audience in a position of discomfort. It shouldn’t be forgettable. Matti’s film is surely unforgettable.” Rappler
“Is it flawless? No. (The first act is wobbly) Is it original? Definitely no. But the cohesion of its narrative (yes it is cohesive and to those saying it has a messy plot, you are wrong) and the execution is so damn good I decided to just put it out here because it deserves to be recognized.” Reclusive Voyage
“Kuwaresma and its more meaningful takeaways—the gross fence-sitting and blissful ignorance, which applies both to a submissive wife too unflinched by her abusive husband and to countrymen and women too inebriated to bother about its nations’ downfall—are sadly lost in a story built with what ultimately feels like a mishmash of half-baked, misguided ideas.” Unreel
“Bedroom terror” clip:
Release:
Kuwaresma premiered as director’s cut version at SM Megamall on May 13, 2019. The film had its general release in the Philippines on May 15, 2019. Two versions of the film, which were rated R-13 and R-16 by the MTRCB, were released theatrically. The film began streaming on Netflix in select Asian countries in September 2019, as The Entity.
In the Philippines, the distributor chose to re-cut the version of the film shown in theaters in order to obtain an R-13 classification (removing some stronger material from the film in the process). The uncut version of the film was classified R-16 without further cuts.
Main cast and characters:
Sharon Cuneta … Rebecca
John Arcilla … Arturo
Kent Gonzales … Luis
Pam Gonzales … Manuela
Guila Alvarez … Salve
Coohleene Cabasag … Teresa (as Coohleene Miguel)
Deo Dela Cruz … Azarel
Weiszsa Gomez … Young Manuela
Jovit Moya … Jaime
Candice Ramos … Marita
Gwyneth Dorado … Felisa
Sari Estrada … Young Salve
Jobs … Brutus
Kenji Cawano … Japanese General
Cari Dawn Conejero … Mother Superior (as Cari Dawn Conejero Campbell)
Macky Tibayan … Dormitory Guard
Joyce Rhen De Guzman … Sexy Dorm Girl
Shane Sumcad … Pregnant Mariel
Victor Jaleco … Mariel’s Companion
Technical details:
114 minutes
