The Misfortune of the Haunted House is a 2024 Philippine supernatural horror science fiction romance drama film directed by Dolly Dulu and written by Ricky Lee. Produced by iOptions Ventures Corp., J.R.A. Production and, The Dolly Collection, that Star Cinema did not exist when it was produced and the company J.R.A. Production by Justin Rick Alonzo. The movie The Misfortune of the Haunted House is set in 2022, before the release of Rickouise's Third Floor, this is their second film for his fan offering. it is intended to be part of the second batch of the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival, including the second batch films are Espantaho, Hold Me Close, Resilience, My Future You, and The Uninvited.
The film includes an ensemble cast featuring Mona Louise Rey, Justin Rick Alonzo, Jao Canlas, Donna Cariaga, Miguel Diokno, Yvanne Evangelista and, Candice Ramos.
Premise[]
Six fresh graduates—Sancho (Justin Rick Alonzo), Britney (Mona Louise Rey), Derek (Jao Canlas), Rosemary (Yvanne Evangelista), Devon (Candice Ramos), and Wilson (Miguel Diokno)—arrive in the breathtaking beauty of El Nido, Palawan, for a much-awaited graduation vacation. Tropical paradises are characterized by lively landscapes, pristine beaches, and adventure. The group is exhilaratingly carefree, snorkeling, island hopping, and indulging in the local nightlife. This trip is a celebration as well as a poignant farewell to their youth and friendship. As they walk around this quaint town, they come across an old decrepit house on the outskirts—a harsh contrast to the breathtaking views around them. The villagers spoke of a woman who once lived there, saying she was cursed after her tragic love affair ended with betrayal. Curious and adventurous, the six friends want to find out the truth about the legend. They go into the house under a full moon at night. The air is filled with tension; there is eerie silence around them. While going through the house, they found some remnants of the old woman's life: artworks, love letters, and old photographs that hint at how lively she was. They learn that a once beautiful and beloved lady had ended up as an ascetic after her fiancé vanished; she plunged to madness under the curse cast upon herself by her aching heart.
The house mysteriously starts coming alive because of its inexplicable activities such ghostly whispers and flickering lights, then visions in the past with the resultant entrapment. This paranormal land captures the group when their shadows come to life; it is where the greatest dreads and regrets torment them. With tension escalating, rifts in the friendships can now be seen. Being true skeptics, Derek and Wilson discount the paranormal activities happening with hallucinations resulting from the pressure and too much cocktailing. Due to sensitivity, Rosemary starts to have an unexplainable link with the spirit of the damned woman, which was in pain. Devon made attempts to lighten up their mood with jokes but can not really sustain laughter under the gloomy house. Night long each friend was facing his private demons. Confronting his commitment issue is Sancho when he tries to think over Britney, who had only known him as a friend instead of a romantic figure all her life. For Britney, she feels her options but cannot help her need to be independent versus being tied up with Sancho. The supernatural menace that develops will make them come into a realization that in order for them to survive they will need each other. They begin to discover clues that relate the tragic story of the woman to their own lives and discover that the darkest fears and sorrows of their lives somehow get intertwined with her curse. They get together to attempt to decipher a cryptic love letter discovered in the house, hoping that it will open the door to breaking the curse. A glimmer of hope is born as Sancho and Britney share a moment of romance, but not planned while in the eerie glow of the spirit of the house. Their love becomes something that makes others feel like they have a reason to continue to fight for survival. The sun is almost about to rise, and the friends are out on a dangerous quest to confront the entity that is holding them captive. They work up enough to approach the ghostly presence of the woman and were presented to that gentle female form who met kindness with some compassion toward her distress before ultimately making it free to let her shackle that would restrain her within that house. Together they harness each strength-in Derek by virtue of science Rosemary sensitivity Devon his jokes and finally his joke with him the Bravery, then from Wilson Sancho with their found love from the music session in breaking off this kind of evil. And so, as the sun rises in that place, the house is embraced by bright light, friends outside breathless and shaken but alive, leaving El Nido behind, changed forever, but this time more united as friends. It began with a fun vacation but transformed into an illuminating self-discovery for both Sancho and Britney regarding their need to embrace fears, love, and strength in relationships.
Once the couple got home, they loved each other more, but Derek, Rosemary, Devon, and Wilson chose to live with love and fear. Renewed with a deeper appreciation for the fragility of life, they promise to hold each other and cherish the memories they made in this unforgettable adventure in Palawan. As they drive away, laughter fills the air, and the camera pans back to the house cursed now, peaceful, and now fading edges of darkness testifying to the power of love, friendship, and closure.
Cast and characters[]
- Mona Louise Rey as Britney
- Justin Rick Alonzo as Sancho
- Donna Cariaga as Fatima
- Jao Canlas as Derek
- Miguel Diokno as Wilson
- Yvanne Evangelista as Rosemary
- Candice Ramos as Devon
- John Arcilla
Production[]
It is said that A Curse Picture will be made first as a horror drama film and it was announced at Star Cinema, but Star Cinema will no longer handle The Misfortune of the Haunted House. The Dolly Collection will handle it as its distribution in theaters, Dolly Dulu has confirmed that she will direct the movie The Misfortune of the Haunted House directing Justin Rick Alonzo and Mona Louise Rey . And one of the Instagram posts, which other production crews have photographed with the stars Alonzo, Rey and Cariaga, showing the confirmation that the development of the film is still planned.
Release[]
The Misfortune of the Haunted House is set to premiere in cinemas in the Philippines on December 25, 2024, as one of the official entries of the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival. It was part of the second batch of film entries announced, or submissions which belonged to the finished films category.
References[]