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The death of Mike De Leon marked the passing of one of the most influential voices in Philippine cinema. A director whose films navigated political turmoil, family dysfunction, and the fragile state of democracy, De Leon left behind a body of work that remains essential to understanding Filipino identity on screen. Whether tackling the horrors of authoritarianism or the intimate tragedies of everyday life, his films consistently fused sharp social critique with masterful cinematic form. Below are 5 of his greatest works, listed in chronological order.

Itim (1976)

De Leon’s debut feature blends psychological horror with family drama, showcasing his early mastery of atmosphere and visual storytelling. The story of a...

Horror fans in the UK and Ireland are in for a chilling treat this month as AMC Networks’ premium streaming platform Shudder rolls out a packed schedule of original films, exclusives, and cult classics across May 2025. The platform, known for delivering genre-defining cinema and series, continues to expand its reach with an exciting lineup blending supernatural terrors, psychological thrills, and beloved retro gems.

Leading the charge is The Ugly Stepsister, a Shudder Original film that promises a warped and blood-soaked take on the familiar Cinderella tale. In a kingdom obsessed with beauty, Elvira is prepared to do whatever it takes to capture the prince’s attention, setting the stage for a brutal and twisted rivalry with the captivating Agnes. With a date yet to be confirmed, this twisted fairytale will be a highlight when it premieres exclusively on Shudder and AMC+.

Also arriving this month is The Surrender, another Shudder...

The second volume of Severin’s All the Haunts Be Ours brings together a dizzying variety of folk horror titles—some recognized cult favorites, others hitherto obscure—that constitute a fabulist bestiary replete with witches, werewolves, and all manner of vengeful spirits. These 24 films included in the set are spread across 13 discs housed in a hardcover book, accompanied by a booklet with synopses and other information on each film, as well as an attractively illustrated 250-page “Little Severin Book” that collects 10 newly commissioned examples of folk horror fiction from authors like Kim Newman and Ramsey Campbell.

Where the first volume, also curated by author Kier-La Janisse, leaned heavily on Anglophone contributions to the subgenre, with a smattering of titles from Eastern Europe and Italy, the second casts its net wider to include a number of films from East and Southeast Asia. These include Sisworo Gautama Putra’s batshit Sundelbolong, from...

How thankful I am for the dedication of Kier-La Janisse and the team at Severin films! Not only did we get one incredibly comprehensive box set dedicated to folk horror from around the world (along with the must-see Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched documentary), but a second volume has been recently released, with 24 films, dozens of hours of special features, and a brand-new book of folk horror fiction. With countless hours dedicated to the meticulous restoration and preservation of these films, I caught up with Kier-La Janisse to discuss the work that went into the creation of the All The Haunts Be Ours: A Compendium Of Folk Horror Volume 2:

The first volume was a monumental undertaking, and I can only imagine how much blood, sweat, and tears went into Volume 2. When did you know that you were going to release a second volume? Was it organically, as you were...

Having worked a variety of production jobs before, Mike de Leon stepped into the director's chair with a vengeance as his debut feature “Itim” shows him to be worthy of the acclaim garnered since the films' release. Responsible for being the start of Charo Santos-Concio before her prolific producing career, the chance for more to discover this early genre gem shouldn't be overlooked as many of the prominent elements of his later career are explored here.

Click on the image below to check the whole tribute

Arriving in a remote village, photographer Jun (Tommy Abuel) comes to the area looking to do a story on the religious practices observed by the locals who are about to observe a dedicated Holy Week during his visit. As his invalid father Dr. Tores, (Mario Montenegro) is also in the area, his trip is complicated by tending to his ailing condition as well as...

Cannes Prix de la mise en scène winner Brilliante Mendoza is, arguably, today's most acclaimed Filipino director. I'm not a fan, but I already started to watch his movies. In some ways, he is like Lino Brocka, Ishmael Bernal and Mike de Leon in how he portray the lives and struggles of Filipinos, but others will certainly disagree with the comparison.While two of these filmmakers- Brocka and de Leon also went to Cannes to compete, it was Mendoza's Kinatay who got to receive an award - and a major one at that. - - -

- - - When it was announced that Brilliante (his name means brilliant in English) has won the Best Director, I felt a mixture of pride and despair - pride because it was a major recognition for a filmmaker coming from a third world country and despair because the three filmmakers I mentioned above...

Cannes Prix de la mise en scène winner Brilliante Mendoza is, arguably, today's most acclaimed Filipino director. I'm not a fan, but I already started to watch his movies. In some ways, he is like Lino Brocka, Ishmael Bernal and Mike de Leon in how he portray the lives and struggles of Filipinos, but others will certainly disagree with the comparison.While two of these filmmakers- Brocka and de Leon also went to Cannes to compete, it was Mendoza's Kinatay who got to receive an award - and a major one at that. - - -

- - - When it was announced that Brilliante (his name means brilliant in English) has won the Best Director, I felt a mixture of pride and despair - pride because it was a major recognition for a filmmaker coming from a third world country and despair because the three filmmakers I mentioned above...

Cannes Prix de la mise en scène winner Brilliante Mendoza is, arguably, today's most acclaimed Filipino director. I'm not a fan, but I already started to watch his movies. In some ways, he is like Lino Brocka, Ishmael Bernal and Mike de Leon in how he portray the lives and struggles of Filipinos, but others will certainly disagree with the comparison.While two of these filmmakers- Brocka and de Leon also went to Cannes to compete, it was Mendoza's Kinatay who got to receive an award - and a major one at that. - - -

- - - When it was announced that Brilliante (his name means brilliant in English) has won the Best Director, I felt a mixture of pride and despair - pride because it was a major recognition for a filmmaker coming from a third world country and despair because the three filmmakers I mentioned above...

Cannes Prix de la mise en scène winner Brilliante Mendoza is, arguably, today's most acclaimed Filipino director. I'm not a fan, but I already started to watch his movies. In some ways, he is like Lino Brocka, Ishmael Bernal and Mike de Leon in how he portray the lives and struggles of Filipinos, but others will certainly disagree with the comparison.While two of these filmmakers- Brocka and de Leon also went to Cannes to compete, it was Mendoza's Kinatay who got to receive an award - and a major one at that. - - -

- - - When it was announced that Brilliante (his name means brilliant in English) has won the Best Director, I felt a mixture of pride and despair - pride because it was a major recognition for a filmmaker coming from a third world country and despair because the three filmmakers I mentioned above...

Cannes Prix de la mise en scène winner Brilliante Mendoza is, arguably, today's most acclaimed Filipino director. I'm not a fan, but I already started to watch his movies. In some ways, he is like Lino Brocka, Ishmael Bernal and Mike de Leon in how he portray the lives and struggles of Filipinos, but others will certainly disagree with the comparison.While two of these filmmakers- Brocka and de Leon also went to Cannes to compete, it was Mendoza's Kinatay who got to receive an award - and a major one at that. - - -

- - - When it was announced that Brilliante (his name means brilliant in English) has won the Best Director, I felt a mixture of pride and despair - pride because it was a major recognition for a filmmaker coming from a third world country and despair because the three filmmakers I mentioned above...