Wasted an hour and half on this stupid movie. Not worth anything, a total crap that will be forgotten through time. One star for being a total garbage. It has great potential but failed to deliver. The characters are all stupid AF. I was hoping for a redemption in the end but nothing, everything went down the drain. They even included kids in their worthless BS. I hope this serves as a warning to everyone, skip this stupid movie!
2 Reviews
Water Spirit and Possession
ClariSays27 August 2017
Warning: Spoilers
LAWOD is director Dan Villegas' first foray into the horror genre. Direk Dan initially wanted a demonic possession but after some brainstorming sessions with scriptwriter Yvette Tan, they finally settled on "a family plagued by a water elemental spirit." With the help of director Antoinette Jadaone (Villegas' girlfriend), their monster was named.
Ilawod or downstream is the opposite of ilaya or upstream. This word may be unfamiliar but it is creepy and intriguing enough. Just think of reports about mysterious or "unexplained" drowning. People who survived such incident say that a force tried to drag them down.
With a menacing water elemental spirit like that, Dan Villegas' Ilawod is clearly a supernatural horror. But that is not all! I found two subgenres – psychological and drama horror which pulled me even more.
First, it is worth mentioning that Therese Malvar's performance as the water elemental is so absorbing. Her first target in the family was the young son, Ben played by Harvey Bautista. She attacked Ben psychologically which I found beautiful.
On the side, the Ilawod also manifested to Bea the youngest child played by Xyriel Manabat, Kathy the mother played by Iza Calzado and Dennis the father played by Ian Veneracion. But as the elemental got deep into Ben's head, the family's world turned upside down.
The execution was very dramatic. The emotion heightened when the mom found out what happened to her son. As the father, Dennis did everything he could. Unfortunately, the family's bond has been over taken. Thus, the elemental won.
The supernatural element, psychological attack and dramatic scenes might not be a good horror combination for some. But there are times you won't need horrific images to make you scared. The mind is very powerful and Ilawod played with that.
Ilawod or downstream is the opposite of ilaya or upstream. This word may be unfamiliar but it is creepy and intriguing enough. Just think of reports about mysterious or "unexplained" drowning. People who survived such incident say that a force tried to drag them down.
With a menacing water elemental spirit like that, Dan Villegas' Ilawod is clearly a supernatural horror. But that is not all! I found two subgenres – psychological and drama horror which pulled me even more.
First, it is worth mentioning that Therese Malvar's performance as the water elemental is so absorbing. Her first target in the family was the young son, Ben played by Harvey Bautista. She attacked Ben psychologically which I found beautiful.
On the side, the Ilawod also manifested to Bea the youngest child played by Xyriel Manabat, Kathy the mother played by Iza Calzado and Dennis the father played by Ian Veneracion. But as the elemental got deep into Ben's head, the family's world turned upside down.
The execution was very dramatic. The emotion heightened when the mom found out what happened to her son. As the father, Dennis did everything he could. Unfortunately, the family's bond has been over taken. Thus, the elemental won.
The supernatural element, psychological attack and dramatic scenes might not be a good horror combination for some. But there are times you won't need horrific images to make you scared. The mind is very powerful and Ilawod played with that.
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