Mikhail Red, director of the top-grossing Filipino horror film ‘Deleter,’ is back with another terrifying masterpiece in ‘Lilim,’ starring Heaven Peralejo, National Winner for Best Actress at the 2023 Asian Academy Creative Awards.
An official selection at the 54th International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), ‘Lilim’ is about two siblings who take refuge in an orphanage, only to unearth a dark secret that threatens their lives. Red is set to unveil a new take on terror with ‘Lilim,’ premiering in cinemas nationwide on March 12, 2025.
The story begins with Issa, who kills her abusive father in a desperate act of self-defense. After the harrowing encounter, she flees their home along with her younger brother, Tomas.
On the run from the police, the siblings take shelter in Helping Hands, a secluded orphanage led by mysterious women who present themselves as nuns. Though the orphanage is said to be built on a miraculous site, the head nun ominously warns them that the place holds many secrets.
Issa and Tomas soon try to acclimate to their new environment; however, they realize that something is terribly wrong. They stumble upon cult practices and find that the nuns’ intentions are far from holy.
As Issa fights to protect her brother, the malevolent forces within the orphanage grow more powerful, threatening to claim them as the next victims of its dark secret. The walls seem to whisper a chilling truth: hell is a place on earth.
Red sheds light on the dark inspiration that fueled ‘Lilim.’ “I wanted to make a film about a hidden society sheltering from the encroaching oppression of the times, only to collapse and fall victim to their own beliefs, a society shackled by fear and by fanaticism, mirroring the very world it tries to escape,” Red shared in a statement to U.S. publication Variety. “It is also my first horror film seen through the eyes of children.”
For ‘Lilim,’ Red is collaborating with his own family members. His father, Raymond Red, Palme d’Or winner for Best Short Film in 2000 Cannes Film Festival for ‘Anino,’ serves as cinematographer, while Mikhail’s brother, Nikolas, penned the screenplay.
Peralejo plays the lead role of Issa, which marks her major debut in the horror genre. Veteran actress Eula Valdez, whom Red previously worked with in ‘Neomanila’ and ‘Nokturno,’ delivers a chilling portrayal as the head of the orphanage, Marga. Mon Confiado (‘Nanahimik ang Gabi,’ ‘Arisaka’) joins as an investigator tracking the movements of the two siblings, while child actor Skywalker David gives a breakthrough performance in his feature film debut as Tomas.
Meanwhile, Ryza Cenon, who plays a nun, delivers a “twisted scene” in the movie that Red is particularly eager for audiences to witness. In a bold transformation, Cenon even shaved her hair off to fully embrace her role.
Following its world premiere at Rotterdam, ‘Lilim’ garnered rave reviews from international publications. Hailed as a “crowd-pleaser” by ScreenAnarchy, the film was lauded for being “creepy, entertaining, and polished” with its jumpscares described as “solid.” Peralejo’s portrayal as Issa also drew acclaim, with critics commending her as an actress who “isn’t afraid to become a plucky heroine when the script calls for it.”
With its haunting narrative, strong cast, and bloody spectacle, ‘Lilim’ has also been praised by Asian Movie Pulse for being a “well-directed, well-shot, well-acted psychological horror/slasher that will definitely satisfy all fans of the particular genre.”
After making waves at IFFR, the global impact of ‘Lilim’ is just getting started. The film will continue to terrify audiences worldwide, having been selected by more prestigious festivals—marking significant milestones for the Filipino horror genre on the international scene.
Filipino viewers won’t have to wait much longer. Experience the horrifying mystery of ‘Lilim’ in cinemas nationwide starting March 12.
