Nokturno

I'd rate Nokturno a 6/10. Directed by Mikhail Red and starring Nadine Lustre, the film explores Filipino folklore through the lens of horror, featuring the "Kumakatok" 3 spectral figures whose ominous knocking heralds death. The plot is intriguing, especially with Lustre's character, Jamie, returning to her home to confront a curse that killed her sister and who haunts her family. Red's use of traditional elements adds a unique cultural depth, and Lustre's portrayal of a skeptical, modern woman grappling with eerie events is a highlight.

However, Nokturno doesn't fully capitalize on its promising premise. While the atmosphere is chilling, the pacing often feels uneven, and the horror elements occasionally lack intensity. At times, the film seems to lean more on suspense than delivering true scares, which might leave some horror fans wanting more. Overall, Nokturno is a visually haunting experience with cultural relevance, but it could benefit from tighter storytelling to reach its full potential.

They had a really good foundation for a good horror movie here, using a long time Filipino folk myth about the Kumakatok (Door Knockers) as the base and concept and yet fail to fully realize it.

The writing was just terrible and full of plot holes. It was a stringy mess of random ideas that went nowhere. On top of that the movie gives the audience a huge middle finger with that lazy half assed ending which really annoyed me. There was no resolution whatsoever, it's like seeing a splattered mishmash and that's it. You don't know what happened, why it happened and if it was ever cleaned up.

The execution of the script wasn't any better, it just added to the train wreck. There were scenes that didn't make sense, continuation that was not polished and all around a jumbled mess.

Nokturno taps into the dark, chilling world of Filipino folklore, bringing to life a suspenseful tale of family and superstition. Directed by Mikhail Red, known for his work in horror, the film follows Jamie (played by Nadine Lustre), an overseas worker who returns to her remote hometown after her family becomes entangled in a curse tied to the "Kumakatok"-supernatural figures with deathly knocks. Lustre's portrayal of Jamie as a modern skeptic facing ancient terrors adds depth to the narrative, as her character reluctantly reconnects with both family and tradition. Eula Valdez's performance as Jamie's estranged mother intensifies the film's emotional stakes, while the supporting cast delivers solid, haunting performances.

Red's direction creates an eerie, immersive experience, drawing viewers into a world where fear is a constant companion. The film's suspenseful pacing is enhanced by the Kumakatok's appearances, which become more disturbing with each scene. The creature design is simple yet effective, tapping into primal fears of the unknown and the inescapable.

While Nokturno might rely on familiar horror tropes, it's the culturally rooted story and Lustre's standout performance that keep it fresh and captivating. Fans of folklore-inspired horror will find this a compelling addition to the genre, with enough tension and mystery to satisfy even the most seasoned horror enthusiasts.

Just my own opinion, Nokturno has its strengths, particularly in its atmospheric visuals and eerie exploration of Filipino folklore, but it falls short of becoming a truly gripping horror experience. Director Mikhail Red captures the haunting allure of Filipino mythology through the kumakatok, mysterious figures who curse those who respond to their ominous knocks. This folklore twist provides a refreshing angle for horror fans, and the film's visual style effectively conjures a chilling sense of dread.

Nadine Lustre's portrayal of Jamie, a woman torn between her life abroad and her haunted hometown, is a highlight. Her performance adds depth to the narrative, especially as she navigates familial tensions and personal trauma. Yet, despite Lustre's and the other cast like Eula, Bea, Wilbert's strong portrayal, the film's pacing feels uneven. Although the cinematography is Top notch, my only problem is the darkish color grading, it just hurts my eyes. Also the slow buildup sometimes overshadows the suspense, leaving key scenes feeling a bit drawn out or underwhelming.

Nokturno also touches on themes of guilt, family loyalty, and escape, which enrich the storyline but don't always reach their full emotional potential due to somewhat limited character development. In the end, while Nokturno offers an intriguing, folklore-rich horror experience, it struggles to sustain the intensity needed to make it a standout. For those intrigued by cultural horror, it's a worthy watch-but not one that hits the horror genre's peak.

The film has a similar vibe and feel to The Ring (2002) except there's one huge problem: Nokturno is boring.

Every scene feels both lacking and drawn-out at the same time. The events feel almost disjointed. This happens, and then this happens, and then this. We're just going from one boring scene to the next. The characters don't have any depth to them. They just... are. There's a semblance of a backstory there but it's so hard to care when you're staving off boredom.

Add to that the dumb characters and lackluster scriptwriting, and this whole film is just one big missed opportunity.

Look. The premise is that characters are apparently cursed by some strange entity that knocks after midnight. If you open the door, you die. The thing is, I don't get how it's difficult to avoid dying in this situation. Like, it you know you can get killed by opening the door after midnight, then maybe... don't open the door after midnight? Especially when the "person" on the other side of the door isn't speaking? Is that hard?

The premise is promising, I'll give it that. And there were some genuine scares in there (mainly jumpscares). It's just so sad because the film's problems are reflective of most Filipino horror movies as a whole, particularly those released within the last decade or so. I find it sad because I know we can have good horror movies -- we've done it before. For example, Feng Shui (2004) was fun. Decently scary, with great characters and a much better story. It has its issues but I still watch it at least once a year.

Nokturno? Eh, I'm pretty sure I'll never watch this film again unless I get paid. It's that boring and that forgettable. And that's a shame, isn't it? Even Nadine Lustre top-billing couldn't save this one.