Nightshift | Confusions of Desperate Terror

01.27.2020 – The Philippines is rich with folktales and mythology, but rarely the subject of a theme used in films. Most movies produced these day and age are either taking inspiration from what is trending or taking a page in using those elements to tell a fresh take on what horror films have been made in this generation. Usually, horror supernatural films made internationally have been popularized either from Korea or Japan and with that those concepts get immediately translated to being adapted my other films in other countries. Some are deliberately copies and then others when used certain elements and executed flawlessly it becomes a hit forgetting where they got those ideas that it mistakes it from being an original idea. And then there’s this recently released Filipino film titled “Nightshift” written and directed by Yam Laranas with Yam Concepcion in the lead role mostly focused on her story as the newly hired morgue assistant who was just recently started working for a week now is also the central figure of its narrative. SPOILER WARNING! IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN “NIGHTSHIFT" IN PHILIPPINE CINEMAS, PLEASE DO AVOID SOME INTERESTING REVELATIONS ABOUT THE FILM AND SOME SURPRISES

At the start of the film we see Jessie, the newly hired morgue assistant already dealing with sleep deprivation at the same time in-between her backstory is revealed through her conversation with Dr. Alex portrayed by Michael de Mesa channelling his Kevin Spacey performance that immediately compares to the Hollywood actor. There are other casts Epy Quizon in a minor role, but the duration of the story is solely focused on Yam Concepcion that is heavily focused on camera.

This would be a smooth flawing narrative gives you the dragging of the scenes by way of making you feel confused as well as trying to give an intense situation the main character is going through. It mainly tackles religious beliefs about death and afterlife that you’d think this is a psychological film, but at the at same time tries to instil the fear factor experience that is out of control with random scores that doesn’t make it eerie but rather give you the notion of annoyance. It would be a good movie experience if they just focus on the fear factor that takes elements of how Korean or Japanese horror films utilize that emotional investment.

But instead of trying to invest on Yam Concepcion’s character you get distracted with the other characters in the film. There is two things that gives you the low point why Filipino films have failed it is either you have a focused on one character and yet invest in too many unnecessary visual effects and musical score or cast a smorgasbord of actors just to fill up what makes it an interesting film. Filipino films don’t need an overly expensive effect or way too cheap in using make up to appear realistic. It is sometimes lead to bad acting by some of the co-stars or extras.



Yam Concepcion and Michael de Mesa was good in their roles also the with Epy Quizon, but when it comes to the visuals and used of score to instil fear it loses that fear factor experience wasted in a dragging narrative. The low point of it all is the visual effects of the giant red moon that should not be included, which was the back breaker for this film that at the end desperately cling to the twist that lost its steam before its final reveal for the main character's end.

Overall Nightshift the scenes are claustrophobic to build fear and tension for viewers without real focus on the film's premise that is disjointed that should leave you gasping for air, but instead made you feel annoyed in the final act that is unreal with suspension of disbelief if it wants to educate you about the religious perspective about death or does it want to strike fear leaves you confused in the end.

“Nightshift” is produced by Viuva Films which stars Yam Concepcion in the titular roles Now Showing in Philippine cinemas for more where to catch it see the list HERE!

"Nightshift" Release Date | 22 January 2020 in the Philippines from Viva Entertainment!

RATED: C-

NOTE: This film was screened publicly in Shangri-La Mall Cineplex Cinema in the City of Mandaluyong, Metro Manila. This is reviewed with a personal opinion without spoilers not for you to agree or disagree about the views written by the author but to gain insight on his perspective about the film.