REVIEW: Mallari - Let Loose the Serial Killer!

I feel that Pinoy horror and thrillers are making a comeback in Philippine cinema, and for the Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 we actually have two, one is Kampon and the other one is MALLARI which stars Piolo Pascual. This movie is made by  Mentorque Productions, and for a first in a very long time will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

From the title Mallari, it is a different take about the notorious first recorded Filipino serial killer who is also a parish priest, Severino Mallari. Though it does not take place exclusively on the original time period. For this movie Piolo Pascual will take on three characters in different time periods all leading to the same family and the secrets that they hold.

Along with the serial killings made by Padre Severino Mallari, there is also an element of the Pinoy mystic creatures and witchcraft which also adds to the complexities of his character. Actually the mystic elements to the film overtook the grim reality of the serial killings which the story is primarily about. Though if you would look at the accounts of the killings of Mallari, the motivations for the killings were more of getting rid of the scums of the earth or which is like acting like a vigilante in the night. 

Mallari Brings History and Horror For MMFF 2023

For this edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival, Mentorque Productions introduces a unique film that deals with horrific history with MALLARI. Based on the real-life story of the first documented serial-killer in the Philippines, Fr. Juan Severino Mallari, which also has been talked about on the internet due to its very complicated situation.

Piolo Pascual will play three characters in the film from different timelines but linked to the same Mallari giving the story more complexity and also people who also revolves around the gruesome murders. Writer Enrico Santos shared that the project started in 2018 and took years in research and production started in 2022.