There’s something about watching horror in a dark cinema with strangers that hits differently. The tension feels heavier, the screams louder, and every jump scare lands harder when you’re part of an audience bracing for the next jolt. That’s what Untold, Regal Entertainment’s latest psychological horror film, manages to revive.
Directed by Derick Cabrido, Untold builds fear through timing, silence, and grounded performances. From the opening scene, the audience was already screaming—and it continued throughout. You could feel the room tighten during quiet moments, then break into gasps and nervous laughter with each scare. This film is meant to be experienced together.
The lead star of the movie, Jodi Sta. Maria, plays Vivian, a journalist chasing a major scoop who finds herself confronting something terrifying. Her performance is gripping. She carries the weight of trauma and ambition with conviction, balancing strength and vulnerability in each frame.
Jodi proves once again why she’s one of the most versatile actors in the industry. Whether she’s unraveling in fear or holding back tears, she delivers. Mylene Dizon commands attention in her scenes, and Juan Karlos brings a relaxed, natural energy to his role.
The film also explores the impact of fake news. In a separate press conference during the official launch of the movie, Jodi said Untold isn’t only made to scare. It also challenges viewers to think—about the intentions behind misinformation, the consequences, and the difficulty of knowing what’s real.
Meanwhile, it was great to see a packed advance screening, filled with students and members of the entertainment press. The collective energy—the gasps, the reactions, the occasional laughter—reminded us what going to the movies used to feel like.
Speaking with Manila Standard Entertainment, producer Roselle Monteverde shared her hopes after the screening: “Well, I hope it would encourage people to go back to the cinemas. You’ve seen the sound and the visual effects—it’s a different experience when you’re in the cinema.”
Her son, Attorney Keith Monteverde, emphasized the value of watching horror films as a communal activity: “It’s a shared experience and it’s nice to watch something as a form of escape. With horror, it’s better if you’re watching it with someone—the experience is better when you watch a horror film with company.”
They’re right. Horror works best when shared. The reactions, the silence, the sudden shrieks—they all remind us how cinema connects us.
Joining Jodi, JK, and Mylene in the cast are Joem Bascon, Kaori Oinuma, Sarah Edwards, Lianne Valentin, Gian Magdangal, and Gloria Diaz.
The summer horror film opens in cinemas on April 30.
