Stepping into Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital’s eerie corridors was a passionate choice for Enrique Gil. He loves the horror genre a lot.
“I’m a horror fan,” he shared, noting that the film’s meta approach sealed the deal for him. “Playing myself, rather than a fictional character, was a fresh challenge. I’ve never done it before, and to shoot it ourselves with our own cameras felt very meta––a unique experience.”
The 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival entry, an adaptation of South Korea’s Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum, is more than just another horror flick. It is directed by Erik Matti, often dubbed the “Master of Horror,” and produced alongside veteran filmmaker Dondon Monteverde.
Enrique takes pride in the groundbreaking nature of the project, calling it a first for local productions.
“It’s never been done before in Philippine cinema. To shoot in a haunted place––I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, this is something I need to do.’”
The original Korean film, released in 2018, was a commercial success, drawing over 2.6 million viewers and raking in $21 million at the box office. Directed by Jung Bum-shik, Gonjiam used the found-footage format to follow a group of amateur ghost hunters exploring a notoriously haunted psychiatric hospital. The film’s authenticity and scares cemented its place as one of South Korea’s highest-grossing horror films that year.
In the Filipino adaptation, Gil leads a cast of diverse talents, including Jane De Leon, Alexa Miro, Rob Gomez, beauty queen MJ Lastimosa, tarot reader Raf Pineda, and content creator Ryan “Zarckaroo” Azurin. Azurin, a popular figure known for documenting haunted locations, brings a real-world connection to the film’s premise. With over 1.6 million YouTube subscribers, his participation adds a layer of credibility to the production’s exploration of the paranormal.
Following the structure of the Korean original, Strange Frequencies transports its audience to Xinglin Hospital, a derelict building in Taiwan’s West Central District. This infamous asylum, rumored to be one of the country’s most haunted locations, serves as the chilling backdrop for the group’s supernatural adventure.
The adaptation is billed as the Philippines’ first meta-found-footage horror film. This innovative approach has already garnered attention from critics and fans, with industry observers curious about how the format will translate for a Filipino audience.
The producer and the director, the powerhouse duo behind critically acclaimed films like On the Job and BuyBust, promise a fresh take on horror. Known for their ability to push cinematic boundaries, their involvement ensures a gripping narrative that blends cultural elements with universal scares.
Reality MM Studios, which submitted the film as its official entry to the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival, has high hopes for the project. The film is set to open in Philippine cinemas on Dec. 25, a date that traditionally draws families and horror enthusiasts alike.
Adding to the buzz, Strange Frequencies recently captured the attention of Variety, highlighting the growing international interest in Philippine cinema.
For Enrique, the film is more than just another feather on his cap. Apart from co-producing the film, it also signals that he’s going to do more off-camera work in his future projects.
“It’s exciting to be part of something so different. I hope the audience feels the same thrill we did while making it,” he said.
