“Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins” returns to the Metro Manila Film Festival as the 17th installment in the franchise, exploring the convergence of history, the present day, and dystopian timelines within a single narrative.
The local horror scene has long been rich and well-appreciated, evolving over decades through a distinct blend of indigenous and folk influences.
Directed by Shugo Praico, Joey de Guzman, and Ian Loreños, “Evil Origins” contributes to the country’s evolving horror landscape by tackling the challenge of blending multiple horror genres.
The film’s strongest asset is its use of symbolic storytelling, which enhances thematic depth through its effective use of terror sequences. It combines shocking moments, visual effects, and underlying subtexts to lend greater significance to the plot.
However, instead of relying on a more psychological foundation for horror, the film leans heavily on jump scares and gore as shock factors, producing superficial fear rather than an ominous, lingering atmosphere.
Despite its surface-level, shock-driven terror, the film remains a highly engaging and entertaining watch, with humor and brief lighthearted moments providing levity amid the chaos.
While “Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins” aims for a more interconnected narrative and expanded world-building compared with previous installments, transitions between segments often feel abrupt and uneven.
Still, the film ultimately manages to bring its storylines together, stitching the threads into a cohesive whole and closing the narrative loop.
Although the film is commendable for exploring three distinct time periods, the climax and conclusion feel underwhelming, failing to fully sustain audience engagement and resulting in a disappointing payoff to its world-building.
