In “Untold,” director Derrick Cabrido proves once again that he is among the boldest voices in contemporary Filipino horror. Known for horror films like “Clarita” and “Mallari,” Cabrido continues to challenge expectations — this time delivering a cerebral, disturbing fusion of psychological drama and horror. This is not your usual scream-and-shock fare.
What unfolds in “Untold” is something new, something terrifying, and something deeply human.
At the center of this unsettling narrative is Jodi Sta. Maria as Vivian Vera, a driven journalist, a devoted daughter and a woman slowly unraveling. She is not your traditional heroine — in fact, she’s no heroine at all. Vivian is deeply flawed, morally ambiguous and increasingly paranoid. But in Jodi’s capable hands, her descent is believable. Her relationship with her mother, portrayed by Gloria Diaz, provides the emotional grounding of the film. Their quieter scenes offer a delicate contrast to Vivian’s internal chaos, highlighting the film’s human core.
Before Cabrido turned to filmmaking, he had a solid career in journalism, particularly as a documentary producer. This background bleeds into “Untold.” Vivian’s character is a direct result of Cabrido’s personal reckoning with his past. As shared by Regal Entertainment president Roselle Monteverde, the idea for “Untold” stemmed from a conversation between her and Cabrido.
“Derick used to be a newscaster. I asked him why he quit,” Roselle recounted. “He said that when he covered Haiyan, he saw so many dead bodies but felt nothing. He just walked through them. That’s when he knew something had changed.”
That moment became the seed of Vivian’s story — someone who, in chasing the truth, slowly loses her own humanity.
The film is deliberately disorienting at times, and the narrative doesn’t offer easy resolutions. “Untold” dares to be messy and complicated and grey. Its few flaws — an arguably overlong runtime and unresolved questions— don’t detract from its overall impact.
What makes “Untold” truly horrifying isn’t a ghost or a demon. It’s the reflection of ourselves — of all of us. There is a Vivian in everyone and we can all turn monsters in the name of ambition, of money, of fame, of clicks. In a world obsessed with speed and spectacle, the film makes us reflect what we are becoming. It’s a cautionary tale for the digital age.
Roselle and Keith Monteverde, president and COO of Regal Entertainment, deserve commendation for championing such a risky and relevant project. “The movie is very now, intentionally. The dialog is crisp, ginawa hindi para sa mga boomers,” said Roselle with a smile.
Keith added praise for screenwriter Enrico Santos: “Magaling ang writing ni Enrico. It’s a good mix of drama and may humor din.”
The Monteverdes see “Untold” as an invitation for audiences to return to the theaters. “The shared experience — maganda siya to watch with other people in the cinema,” said Roselle. Keith echoed this: “‘Untold’ provides escape and is ideal to watch with friends. Syempre pag nakakatakot, it’s good to watch with others.”
Even after seeing the film multiple times, both mother and son still find themselves staying for the full screening. “Sabi nga namin aalis kami ng maaga, pero nag-stay pa rin,” Roselle admitted with a laugh.
“Untold” received an R-13 rating without cuts from the MTRCB. It will be showing in cinemas nationwide starting April 30 then opens in Hong Kong and Singapore, as well as in the U.S., Canada, Guam and Saipan on May 2.
