Mallari (film)

Mallari is a 2023 Philippine horror film directed by Roderick Cabrido from a story and screenplay written by Enrico C. Santos. It stars Piolo Pascual who plays the film's three main characters: Juan Severino Mallari, a Catholic priest and serial killer in 19th century Spanish colonial era Philippines and two of the priest's fictional descendants Johnrey in the post-World War II era and Jonathan, a doctor in the contemporary era.

The film made its premiere at the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival on December 25, 2023 where it won Best Supporting Actor for JC Santos, Best Musical Score, and Best Production Design, and a runner-up for Best Picture. At the 72nd FAMAS Awards, it earned 14 nominations and clinched 6 awards including Best Picture.

Plot
The film tells the interlinked stories of three generations of the Mallari family; Juan Severino, Johnrey, and Jonathan, living in different time periods:

1812
Juan Severino, accompanied by his mother Doña Facunda, arrives in Magalang to become its priest. While he is away, Facunda is turned into a monster by their servants led by Maria Capac after she is lured into one of the latter's clandestine occult rituals. When Severino discovers this, Maria tells him that Facunda is already suffering from a terminal illness and can only be cured by consuming human flesh. Torn between damning himself and saving his mother, he agrees to become a murderer after his sinister alter ego urges him to rid society of delinquents. He then kills a corrupt landlord and two prostitutes and feeds their entrails to Facunda, who, unaware of her transformation and her son's activities, recovers. As more murders occur, Magalang’s residents flee.

Later, a man resembling Severino appears to Facunda claiming to be a future descendant. After warning that Severino will be remembered as a killer, he forces him to admit his murders and her being a manananggal. The man then scuffles with Severino before local Guardia Civil and a witness to the murders arrive and arrest Severino as the man suddenly disappears. In the commotion, Maria hides Facunda.

1948
During the Hukbalahap Rebellion, Johnrey visits Magalang to make a documentary and stays at his ancestral residence. After encountering victims of an aswang attack which Johnrey's boss dismisses as a CIA operation, he learns of a series of murders taking place in town. Suspecting a connection with his ancestor, Johnrey decides to investigate.

Johnrey dreams of going back in time to 1812 and encountering Severino, Doña Facunda, the ghosts of Severino's victims, and a boy named Jonathan who claims he is his grandnephew from the future. Upon waking up and finding that he has in his possession Jonathan's blanket, Johnrey realizes that they both have the ability of astral projection and time travel. Johnrey returns to 1812 to film Severino and Facunda, compiling two reels addressed to Jonathan.

Returning to his time, Johnrey encounters an elderly Maria Capac and his servant Conching, who is revealed to be her granddaughter, holding his wife Felicity hostage, along with an aged Doña Facunda, who refuses to eat human flesh since Severino's arrest. Maria and Conching threaten to kill Felicity unless Johnrey agrees to become a vigilante and allows Facunda's powers to be transferred to Felicity. After Facunda pleads with him to let her die, Johnrey swallows a black chick living inside her, while Facunda disintegrates into ashes. Johnrey transforms into a werewolf and kills Conching and Maria. Reverting to human form, Johnrey tells Felicity to bury him alive in order to end the curse. Afterward, Felicity makes a film to explain what happened.

2023
After having premonitions about his fiancée Agnes, an adult Jonathan visits Magalang to try and prevent this from happening. He is accompanied by Lucas, the son of a family servant, and Lucas' niece Amal, who tells Jonathan of his ancestors' past. Following his arrival, a series of murders targeting delinquents occur carried out by a figure dressed as a priest, raising suspicion on Jonathan. Jonathan confesses to Lucas that he suspects that it may be connected with Severino, and recalls his childhood dreams, adding that Lucas would soon attack Agnes.

Jonathan watches Johnrey's films and learns about his psychic abilities. While helping Jonathan investigate his premonitions, Agnes learns that Lucas belongs to the occult-worshipping Alarcon family and that Lucas' ancestor is Maria Capac. She later sees a blood-soaked Lucas flagellating himself before a statue of Severino, revealing him to be the killer. Fleeing to the Mallari residence, Agnes is stabbed by Lucas.

Jonathan returns to 1812 and scuffles with Severino, who denies his involvement in the future murders. Upon waking up, he is attacked by Lucas, who seeks to continue the Alarcons' turning the Mallaris into vigilantes. After killing Lucas, Jonathan comes across a dying Agnes as Felicity's film plays, revealing that the chick remains inside Johnrey. Jonathan digs up Johnrey's grave and despite warnings from the spirits of Severino, his victims, and a still-living Johnrey against reviving the curse, decapitates Johnrey and transfers the chick to Agnes.

Sometime afterwards, Jonathan, Agnes, and Amal settle at the Mallari residence. Agnes chastises Jonathan for turning her into a monster, adding that she will be hungry at the full moon. Jonathan looks menacingly at the camera.

1810s

 * Piolo Pascual as Juan Severino Mallari, Catholic parish priest and serial killer. He also plays his sinister alter-ego who convinces him to commit the murders.
 * Gloria Diaz as Doña Facunda Mallari
 * Mylene Dizon as Melinda
 * Ge Villamil as Maria Capadocia "Maria Capac" Alarcon
 * Ron Angeles as Juancho Kuchero
 * Audrey Alquiroz as Nieves
 * Bart Guingona as Ruizmayor
 * Kian Co as Ponce, Melinda's son

1940s

 * Piolo Pascual as Johnrey Mallari, a photojournalist and grand-nephew of Juan Severino
 * Elisse Joson as Felicity Mallari
 * April Sangco as Conching
 * Vangie Labalan as Older Maria Capac
 * Erlinda Villalobos as Older Facunda Mallari

2020s

 * Piolo Pascual as Jonathan Mallari de Dios, a doctor, and great-grandnephew of Juan Severino.
 * Janella Salvador as Agnes Salvador, a doctor who is also Jonathan's fiancée.
 * JC Santos as Brother Lucas Alarcon Segundo
 * Tommy Alejandrino as Didi Laan
 * Angeli Nicole Sanoy as Amalia "Amal" Alarcon
 * Raffy Tejada as Father Mac

Production
Mallari was directed by Derick Cabrido and was based on the script made by Enrico Santos. The script underwent seven revisions before filming. The film was produced under Mentorque Productions and Clever Minds.

The film is based around the Philippines' first documented serial killer, Severino Mallari, and has three intertwined main storylines set in different periods (1840s, 1940s, and 2023). The film described as "partly fictional" follows the story of John Rey and Jonathan in the latter two timelines.

It took four years for the film to be made. Filming took place in various historical sites in the Philippines. A village set in Lipa, Batangas was also specifically done for the film since no location owner in the area where the historical Mallari lived gave their consent due to the "sensitive topic" tackled in the film. ₱80 million was spent for the production of the film, which is also made to meet the standards of distributor Warner Bros.

Pascual was also the first choice to portray the film's three main characters. If Pascual had declined, the casting of one actor for multiple characters would have not been made.

Music
The theme song for Mallari is "Pag-Ibig Na Sumpa" which was performed by Juan Karlos. Xergio Ramos and Emil Dela Rosa were responsible for the song's arrangement while Quest did the composition. This is Karlos' first song which was used in a feature film soundtrack.

Release
Mallari premiered in cinemas in the Philippines on December 25, 2023, as one of the official entries of the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). Warner Bros. Philippines partnered with Mentorque, agreeing to be the film's distributor. Despite having a multinational distributor, Mallari had to abide to MMFF regulations when it comes to cinema screenings. This is Warner Bros' first mainstream film release of a Philippine production. Their last project in the Philippines was the limited release of Munting Tinig in 2003. In addition, Star Cinema handled worldwide sales, which previously turned down on local distribution of the film although Warner Bros. would distribute the film in Thailand in May 1.