‘Haunted Forest’

(We are running this guide to help moviegoers plan their holiday cinema tour. The 43rd Metro Manila Film Festival runs from Dec. 25 to Jan. 7, 2018.)

Directed by Ian Loreños; stars Jane Oineza, Jameson Blake, Maris Racal, Jon Lucas, Raymart Santiago, Joey Marquez

Regal Entertainment is known for releasing horror flicks through its long-running “Shake, Rattle and Roll” franchise during the holiday season. The tradition continues this year, but with a new film that promises to be just as scary. “Haunted Forest” tells of a dark creature called “Sitsit” that preys on women. It possesses its victims, who all go missing and are found dead in the forest. It is suspected that young Nica (Oineza) is being influenced by this creature, and it is up to her father (Santiago) and her friends to save her.

“We tried to blend my style of directing with Regal’s horror tradition,” said Loreños. “We also tried to put organic stuff into the film, and not just the usual scare tactics. There’s a story and a lesson to be learned.”