?Dalaw?
D: Joven Tan
S: Katrina Halili

KATRINA Halili pays a stiff price for the bad choices and wrong decisions she makes in Joven Tan?s ?Dalaw??a case of art imitating life? In the horror film, the controversial starlet plays Laarni, an ambitious investigative TV reporter who chases the story of a problematic couple, Erning and Cleo (Tonton Gutierrez and Glydel Mercado), and their teenage daughter, Estella (Kristel Fulgar), who all die under mysterious circumstances.

Gruesome secrets

At the heart of this cautionary tale are Erning, Cleo and Estella?s gruesome secrets, which involve infidelity, physical abuse, revenge, retribution and ?incest??dark and bold themes that get even more grotesque when pubescent girls in Estella?s superstitious community start complaining about a hairy and shadowy presence that hovers during their very first menstrual period!

Despite stern warnings, however, Laarni stubbornly pursues the sensational story that could give her show?s sagging ratings a big boost?especially after events take a supernatural twist, which only excites the cluelessly courageous broadcast journalist even more. But, when she finally unravels the true story behind the trio?s violent deaths, fear and doubt creep in, and everything becomes a matter of life and death?for Laarni!

The use of menarche in this gothic tale makes for an engaging premise, but Tan?s film is hobbled by incoherence, narrative clutter, and a directorial style that?s all mood and minimal substance. The derivative movie?s scarifying tricks and shock tactics have all been done better elsewhere: Images drawn in blood, a helpful medium who?s knowledgeable about everything (except how to get rid of those pesky zombies and sinister spirits), long-haired, white duster-clad corpses who crawl on their way to their shivering, motionless human meals, inverted dead bodies with fully-dilated pupils, slamming windows, rocking chairs, etc.

Stubborn character

Moreover, it doesn?t help that the voluptuous Halili looks bland and vacuous onscreen. She merely goes through the motions, and conveys no inner life and real empathy for her character. Surely, we?ve seen Katrina cry for help more believably elsewhere. But, yes, Laarni?s woeful tale is an instructive lesson in culpability and consequence. After all, it?s hard to sympathize with a stubborn character who never heeds a good friend?s sensible warnings.

When we think we?re not responsible for the consequences of our actions just because of the power we hold in our hands, it?s time for a reality check: We will eventually reap what we sow?sooner more than later.