Banal (2019) User Reviews

Great cinematography, but the rest is opposite

[jpismyname · 3/10 · 3 November 2020]

2019 is a year full of good horror films with beautiful cinematography. Seeing Banal's trailer, I didn't hesitate to watch it. It's Halloween season, so I watched it on Netflix.

Set in 2004, Banal centers on a group of high school friends who goes hiking to a fictional mountain called Mt. Awanggan in Northern Luzon (my guess would be in Benguet or something). The film opens with a text saying that it is based on a real mountain fire in 2004, and the cause of the fire is unknown (actually searched on Google, but I can't find any stories about it. Not so sure. Probably they're just saying 'based on true story' for promotion.). Anyway, back to the plot of the movie-as you guessed it, and unbeknownst to the teenagers, the movie is haunted and full of vengeful entities.

Let me start with the positives first. Add Banal to the list of horror films with beautiful cinematography. Like, really-I love the setting, camera works etc. The special effects, especially on that river scene, are also pretty impressive.

But with a movie about teens getting killed one by one by supernatural entities, don't expect realistic acting. The acting is sub-par. Brillantes (sosyal girl) and Tanfelix (nerd guy) are both pretty good, with Tanfelix being the most impressive in my opinion, but there is nothing really remarkable on what they did here. Umali (protagonist) is good at delivering her lines, but seems to only have one reaction on her face throughout the whole film. Taki (BFF girl) is a hit-and-miss, while Last (jock) needs more improvement.

The dialogues are way worse-bad dialogues produce unconvincing acting. Most dialogues even made me laugh out loud. Plot is pretty predictable. The twist is a really good one, but it is badly executed. It could've had potential to be better---this whole film could've been a lot better.

3/10

With a tinge of Midsommar

[Jacko_Wacko_36 · 1/10 · 16 October 2019]

One idea I had in mind about this movie... Midsommar.

The movie definition of stupidity of characters...

[keitch-20505 · 1/10 · 21 September 2019]

The supposed horrifying events did not deliver because of bad characterization and the "tv drama " acting of the cast... Failed to deliver. Don't know if the seeming stupidity of the actions and reactions of the characters are part of their characterization or simply a failure to deliver on the part of the cast... The imagery in beginning is the best part of the film... After that it all went downhill.

Cringed the entire time

[makiy1 · 2/10 · 17 October 2020]

Not sure if they're trying to fit the movie with western acting but it was a car crash. Actors and actresses delivering their lines horribly. And I'm not sure at which part exactly did Thea mentioned that she was the one who wanted them to go home already. From the beginning, they've been forcing the group not to back out - "wala nang atrasan ha!". The only scary part of the movie is watching the characters deliver their lines.

Nakakapikon

[diankarlacolomaflores · 1/10 · 12 September 2021]

Maling maling maling mali. Maganda yung scenery pero andaming mali sa movie. Even if its a fiction that is based on a true story, they could have at least made it more convincing.

Plot and characters were just a little too thin but the terrifying story is within

[ClariSays · 6/10 · 28 September 2020]

The trailer gave me a good impression. When I decided to hit play, the first sequence gave a promising start.

Set in an unknown forest, we see a teenage girl looking for her boyfriend. She didn't look lost to me because it was obvious, she was being pranked. But that sequence did give off a terrifying vibe of being alone and lost. And just like I predicted, her boyfriend appears. Unfortunately, that didn't last long as two found themselves in an irrevocable situation.

Now onto our main characters. It's the typical situation friends getting together after finals week and ready to go on an adventure. Nothing wrong with that honestly. It's not unique but it's a true situation which anyone can relate to.

In terms of the story, I appreciate how they delivered and executed it. They used the forest and scares available well. But what I didn't like is how horror movies work. Filipinos know that the lead actors Bianca Umali (Erika) and Miguel Tan Felix (Rich) are a loveteam.

Loveteams in the Philippines is essential and sacred. So, when they do a horror movie, you instantly know that they will both survive. Typical moves like that need to change. This is horror and you need to be bold.

Use all your characters well like Mac played by Kim Last, Thea played by Andrea Brillantes and Yel played by Taki Saito wisely. Build them well and make the audience love them so when they reach their end, they will be missed. Sadly, they were just disposed of.

Now, don't let my words stop you from watching it. Banal (2019) or sacred in English is a good horror film. The plot and characters were just a little too thin but the terrifying story is within.

The Movie Gave Me a Similar Vibe as the Movie "The Ritual"

[tedjacoblaminta · 6/10 · 1 November 2020]

The storyline was arranged similarly to the movie "The Ritual". But I love both movies, the only downfall was I watched the movie "The Ritual" first so I predicted some events in the movie ahead of time. Maybe the movie was somehow inspired by "The Ritual" but overall "Banal" is a great movie. :)