Evading the police, Issa and her brother Tomas seek shelter in a secluded orphanage in the forest. But the siblings' safe haven soon reveals itself to be a hellscape controlled by a sacrificial cult in thrall to a fearsome nocturnal deity.
(C) Viva Films
On a technical level, there's no doubt that Lilim excels. The film captures the atmosphere it needs and the imagery it desires. Even the music score sets the right mood. The final act, in particular, is something we rarely see in Filipino films nowadays. It also helps that Heaven Peralejo makes those final moments even more convincing. I'd even be tempted to say that the final act alone is worth the price of admission.
One major issue, however, is that the film frequently undercuts its own momentum. By choosing to go big with the sound during the jump scares, the scenes that move the story forward can feel draggy at times. This is crucial to avoid, as it allows the viewer's attention to wander. With that, one can notice the jump scares become repetitive in the middle.
Horror works if (1) it has a great story that's grounded in some way yet can build dread from within, or (2) it embraces the weirdness and goes all-in with visual scares. Lilim sort of takes the middle path, but it has enough good elements to pull through. As it ends with a terrifying image, the film passes the vibe check. 3/5 ⭐
Lilim is now playing in PH cinemas.
