May 1, 2025
Vivian Vera (Jodi Sta. Maria) was the only daughter of local cafeteria owner Monica (Gloria Diaz), who raised her solo after the death of her father Gerald (Gian Magdangal), an ace reporter whom Vivian idolized growing up. She achieved her dream when she overcame all odds to be chosen as the lead investigative reporter of the hit TV show "Untold," after she made public the secret ingredient of a restaurant's meat dishes.
Vivian catapulted to even more fame after she exposed the heinous murder of informal settlers perpetrated by sadistic real-estate people, a grisly news story she did with her cameraman Benjie (Joem Bascon), dubbed as the "Cement Massacre." One day at the Quiapo Church, a mysterious woman (Ambrosia Taboneknek) slipped a crude charm bracelet on Vivian's wrist, telling her that she can now see the victims of her past sin.
Jodi Sta. Maria mettle as an actress needs no further proof, in any genre it seems. I've seen her as lead in two other fairly recent horror films, "Second Coming" (2019) as the stepmother of a possessed girl, and "Clarita" (2019) where her titular character herself was possessed. For this second one, she was also directed by Derick Cabrido, also her director here in "Untold." The chemistry between star and director was certainly palpable.
Cabrido also co-wrote the script together with Roselle Y. Monteverde and Noreen Capili. At first, it felt like the story was going to be just a one-dimensional one about avenging angry spirits. As it went on, there were more unpredictable layers to justify its two-hour running time. The violent crime scenes were not for the faint at heart, especially as they transgress into heartless and depraved territory. There should be a trigger warning for ailurophiles.
The writers also squeezed in a cougar element, with Vivian's love-struck PA Jasper (a consistently engaging Juan Karlos). A very prominent subplot was about ambitious competitive female journalists who were vying for a single slot on the TV show, with rivals Elaine (Sarah Edwards) and Louise (a frustratingly anemic performance by Kaori Oinuma). A notable supporting role was Amanda (a standout performance by Lianne Valentin), daughter of a massacre victim Teresa (a haunting Ge Villamil in cement make-up). 7/10
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