Title: Bantay-Bahay
Year: 2024
Rating: 4
Cast: Pepe Herrera, Casie Banks, Johannes Rissler, Melizza Jimenez, Karl Gabriel
Description: The unsettling quiet of the Philippine countryside, expertly captured in Jose Javier Reyes's "Bantay-Bahay," becomes a character itself, mirroring the creeping dread in Caleb's heart. Pepe Herrera delivers a nuanced performance as Caleb, the initially oblivious vlogger thrust into a chilling mystery surrounding Ella's grandmother's secluded home. This isn't just a horror film; it's a study of misplaced trust and the secrets buried beneath seemingly idyllic surfaces. Casie Banks, Johannes Rissler, Melizza Jimenez, and Karl Gabriel contribute to the ensemble's palpable tension. Reyes masterfully uses the isolation of the setting to amplify the psychological horror, leaving the audience questioning the true nature of the house's dark history and the unsettling events that unfold. "Bantay-Bahay" is a slow-burn masterpiece that lingers long after the credits roll, a testament to the power of atmosphere and suspense.