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 .
6 Reviews
Chilling Experience.
SameirAli22 August 2021
Such an amazing Filipino movie. I need to explore more from this region. This film is shocking, especially the climax gave me a chilling experience. Great acting, and skillful Direction. Anything more will be a spoiler. Try to watch without any spoilers.
Great Watch For Me
Foutainoflife24 August 2023
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.
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 great Filipino classic
Sirfaro112 January 2015
Warning: Spoilers
More than three decades later, Kisapmata is still a thrill to watch. The story of a patriarch (Vic Silayan) who lords over his family. When her daughter Mila (Charo Santos) got pregnant and marries Noel (Jay Ilagan), he makes sure that he remains in control.
Watching this movie, it is difficult to comprehend how we can create a superior movie like this, and also come up with trash like Praybeyt Benjamin. The mood, the music, the script are all superior. Vic Silayan is so scary here; in one scene, Noel was shouting on top of his voice, angry at what is happening to them, but when faced by Vic Silayan, fell silent. Even when the dialogue turns Ilocano, you don't need an interpretation to understand that he is evil personified. Towards the end, Mila seemed to have predicted their fate when Noel is asking to read her diary.
When I first saw this, I was surprised at the ending, something not often seen in Philippine cinema. If you haven't seen this, look for this great classic.
Watching this movie, it is difficult to comprehend how we can create a superior movie like this, and also come up with trash like Praybeyt Benjamin. The mood, the music, the script are all superior. Vic Silayan is so scary here; in one scene, Noel was shouting on top of his voice, angry at what is happening to them, but when faced by Vic Silayan, fell silent. Even when the dialogue turns Ilocano, you don't need an interpretation to understand that he is evil personified. Towards the end, Mila seemed to have predicted their fate when Noel is asking to read her diary.
When I first saw this, I was surprised at the ending, something not often seen in Philippine cinema. If you haven't seen this, look for this great classic.
Skillful, tasteful, powerful
purakek3 September 2002
Though the plot was based on an actual murder case, the movie is a imagined recreation of what led to the homicidal incident. Vic Silayan, a patriarch who carries more than mere fatherly love to his daughter, is the ultimate personification of evil here. Unable to accept to accept the impending marriage of his daughter (Charo Santos) to beau Jay Ilagan, he makes life miserable for the pair. Ilagan, slowly learns the hideous secret the family carries and despite his plight, is unable to stop it. The imagery and music add to impending tragedy that awaited everyone. Great acting from Silayan, great directorial work from de Leon!
Uncomfortable & Unsettling All The Way Through
CinemaClown13 October 2021
Led by a central performance so powerful, intimidating & domineering that the character's overbearing presence & oppressive aura looms over the story even when he isn't around in those moments, Kisapmata is disconcerting from the first scene, gets more unnerving as it progresses and brims with a claustrophobic atmosphere that's absolutely smothering in its intensity.
Co-written & directed by Mike de Leon, the story is inspired from a real-life event and brings its narrative to life in a very raw, lifelike manner. The drama is riveting all the way through, is infused with a feeling of uneasiness that never for once leaves the room, and the characters are deftly scripted as well. And there is an incestuous undercurrent at play here that adds to its uncomfortable tone.
Each n every conversation only moves the plot closer to the inevitable finale and even when it's apparent where the story is headed and how things may play out, it is still difficult to not be affected by it. Vic Silayan renders his role with nothing held back, playing the controlling, dictatorial patriarch with such dominance that his input overshadows everyone else. It's not an easy act but the actor is natural at it.
Overall, Kisapmata ranks amongst the most disturbing & disquieting examples of its genre(s) and features a premise that cuts far too close to a real-life scenario. An emotionally gripping & palpably tense nightmare that gives the viewers no breathing space and keeps things taut & terrifying solely through character actions & conversations, this obscure Filipino gem is as authentic in its storytelling as it is suffocating in its setting.
Co-written & directed by Mike de Leon, the story is inspired from a real-life event and brings its narrative to life in a very raw, lifelike manner. The drama is riveting all the way through, is infused with a feeling of uneasiness that never for once leaves the room, and the characters are deftly scripted as well. And there is an incestuous undercurrent at play here that adds to its uncomfortable tone.
Each n every conversation only moves the plot closer to the inevitable finale and even when it's apparent where the story is headed and how things may play out, it is still difficult to not be affected by it. Vic Silayan renders his role with nothing held back, playing the controlling, dictatorial patriarch with such dominance that his input overshadows everyone else. It's not an easy act but the actor is natural at it.
Overall, Kisapmata ranks amongst the most disturbing & disquieting examples of its genre(s) and features a premise that cuts far too close to a real-life scenario. An emotionally gripping & palpably tense nightmare that gives the viewers no breathing space and keeps things taut & terrifying solely through character actions & conversations, this obscure Filipino gem is as authentic in its storytelling as it is suffocating in its setting.
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