REVIEW: Pridyider
Director: Rico Maria Ilarde
Producer: Regal Films
Distribution: Regal Films
Date of premiere: September 19, 2012
I find Pridyider strangely appealing despite its inconsistencies. It's a horror film that's largely inconsistent in its story, but when it wants to scare, it does so with a punch.
Pridyider tells the story of Tina (Andi Eigenmann), a balikbayan from the US who comes home to an empty house left to her by her parents who abandoned her as a kid. In the house is a haunted refrigerator lusting for human flesh and blood.
This movie is the re-imagining of one of the segments in the first Shake, Rattle & Roll in 1984. But that short film has a completely different story, so a direct comparison with it seems unnecessary.
The first Pridyider is on YouTube, so you may see it if you want to. Video of the whole film is below.
Only two things are carried over from the first Pridyider: the evil appliance, and Janice de Belen. There are obvious differences.
The first refrigerator is in it for the lust. It is diabolically attracted to a young girl named Virgie, played by Janice herself. The bulky cool box likes Virgie so much that it makes moaning sounds when the girl is near. He nearly eats her towards the end.
The second refrigerator is possessed by an evil spirit; it just wants to eat.
In the first film, Janice is the good girl. In the new movie, she is the murderous house wife who contacts the devil so she can keep her philandering husband.
Janice is one of the highlights of the film. She's so good, even an old photo of her will give you chills.
Andi Eigenmann also does greatly. Her characterization is strong as a young woman who is brave enough to face the spooks, so you root for her. It is also fun to see her wielding a knife as a weapon whenever she can. She's really her mother's daughter.
JM de Guzman as James brings the eye-candy to the horror picture, but you'll wish he does more than to stand around and wait to save the girl in trouble.
Other characters hit-and-miss. Ronnie Lazaro does okay, but Venus Raj and Bekimon are unwelcome. The two act goofy throughout the movie, and they distract from the dark tone.
A few inconsistencies mar the picture from narrative greatness. The story started strongly, however, particularly due to the choice to reveal the refrigerator's secret so early into the movie. This made the next events unexpected.
One inconsistency is how Venus Raj and Bekimon stick around the area even after they witness the refrigerator's evil firsthand. Another is how when a nearly-crazy woman knocks on the car window, James rolls the window down, without thinking that the woman may attack Tina.
Also, if your newly-bought refrigerator breaks, would you just junk it easily, without calling for warranty service? And did anyone else think to unplug the evil refrigerator to rob it of electricity?
All these inconsistencies distract from a fairly-polished horror movie.
Still, if you want to be scared, Pridyider is your movie. There are a lot of great scares in there that you may want to experience.
Pridyider tells the story of Tina (Andi Eigenmann), a balikbayan from the US who comes home to an empty house left to her by her parents who abandoned her as a kid. In the house is a haunted refrigerator lusting for human flesh and blood.
This movie is the re-imagining of one of the segments in the first Shake, Rattle & Roll in 1984. But that short film has a completely different story, so a direct comparison with it seems unnecessary.
The first Pridyider is on YouTube, so you may see it if you want to. Video of the whole film is below.
Only two things are carried over from the first Pridyider: the evil appliance, and Janice de Belen. There are obvious differences.
The first refrigerator is in it for the lust. It is diabolically attracted to a young girl named Virgie, played by Janice herself. The bulky cool box likes Virgie so much that it makes moaning sounds when the girl is near. He nearly eats her towards the end.
The second refrigerator is possessed by an evil spirit; it just wants to eat.
In the first film, Janice is the good girl. In the new movie, she is the murderous house wife who contacts the devil so she can keep her philandering husband.
Janice is one of the highlights of the film. She's so good, even an old photo of her will give you chills.
Andi Eigenmann also does greatly. Her characterization is strong as a young woman who is brave enough to face the spooks, so you root for her. It is also fun to see her wielding a knife as a weapon whenever she can. She's really her mother's daughter.
JM de Guzman as James brings the eye-candy to the horror picture, but you'll wish he does more than to stand around and wait to save the girl in trouble.
Other characters hit-and-miss. Ronnie Lazaro does okay, but Venus Raj and Bekimon are unwelcome. The two act goofy throughout the movie, and they distract from the dark tone.
A few inconsistencies mar the picture from narrative greatness. The story started strongly, however, particularly due to the choice to reveal the refrigerator's secret so early into the movie. This made the next events unexpected.
One inconsistency is how Venus Raj and Bekimon stick around the area even after they witness the refrigerator's evil firsthand. Another is how when a nearly-crazy woman knocks on the car window, James rolls the window down, without thinking that the woman may attack Tina.
Also, if your newly-bought refrigerator breaks, would you just junk it easily, without calling for warranty service? And did anyone else think to unplug the evil refrigerator to rob it of electricity?
All these inconsistencies distract from a fairly-polished horror movie.
Still, if you want to be scared, Pridyider is your movie. There are a lot of great scares in there that you may want to experience.
RATING: 3 stars out of 5
SUMMARY: Still scary despite the inconsistencies and plotholes.
Added just now: Am I the only person who recognized the cab driver as the same one in The Animals? I thought Andi Eigenmann's character will get raped...
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