Watching ‘Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins’ on the big screen during its premiere made one thing immediately clear: this franchise still knows how to work a crowd.
The screams, gasps, laughter, and collective tension inside the cinema prove that SRR remains a communal horror experience—pang-barkada, pang-sigawan, at pang-Pasko pa rin.
As the 17th installment of the iconic series, ‘Evil Origins’ doesn’t simply recycle the usual anthology formula. Instead, it attempts something more ambitious by linking its three stories into a single mythology that unfolds across three timelines—1775, 2025, and 2050. That decision gives the film a larger scope and a sense of continuity rarely seen in previous entries, even if the execution is not always consistent.
1775 (Past): Strong Mood, Unfocused Storytelling
Rating: ⭐️⭐️½ / 5
Set in the Spanish colonial era, the first chapter takes place inside a secluded religious community haunted by a growing, unnamed evil. The atmosphere is thick with dread, religious guilt, and paranoia. Visually, this segment is impressive—the set design, costumes, and overall tone successfully establish a dark, gothic world.
Performances are steady across the board, with Carla Abellana and Janice de Belen providing solid anchors. However, it is Loisa Andalio who truly stands out, bringing emotional intensity that cuts through the heavy atmosphere.
Unfortunately, the episode tries to juggle too many concepts at once. Instead of building sustained fear, it introduces ideas that are left hanging, making the experience more puzzling than terrifying. The horror is present, but the emotional payoff never fully arrives.
2025 (Present): High-Energy Horror at Its Best
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
The middle chapter is where ‘Evil Origins’ truly comes alive.
Set during a lavish Halloween masquerade party, this segment wastes no time pulling the audience in. Loud music, flashing lights, and a chaotic setting create the perfect backdrop for a fast-paced slasher narrative. When supernatural-controlled killers strike, the film shifts into full survival mode—and it’s wildly entertaining.
The ensemble cast brings energy and personality to every scene. Francine Diaz and Fyang Smith deliver physically demanding, fearless performances, while Seth Fedelin and JM Ibarra balance intensity with charm. The chemistry between the love teams adds warmth without weakening the horror.
Comic relief is well-timed thanks to Sassa Gurl and Alex Calleja, while Karina Bautista emerges as the chapter’s most striking presence. Her performance is unsettling, confident, and memorable—arguably the most impactful in the entire film.
This chapter understands pacing, spectacle, and audience pleasure. It’s violent, stylish, funny, and thrilling—the kind of horror that works best in a packed cinema.
2050 (Future): Big Vision, Uneven Payoff
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½ / 5
The final chapter jumps decades ahead into a devastated Philippines ruled by aswangs. The scale immediately feels larger, with production design that evokes international post-apocalyptic films and games. Visually, this segment is impressive and ambitious.
Richard Gutierrez commands the screen with ease, fully comfortable in an action-heavy role, while Ivana Alawi brings physicality and determination to her character. Dustin Yu also shows promise, especially given the scale of the material.
Despite its strong visuals and creature design, the narrative feels compressed. Some character motivations are underexplored, and the main threat never becomes as terrifying as it should. The ideas are there, but the emotional and narrative payoff doesn’t fully match the ambition.
LionhearTV‘s Verdict. At nearly two and a half hours, ‘Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins’ manages to keep its momentum—no small feat for an anthology horror film. It delivers the essential ‘SRR’ experience: communal fear, loud reactions, shocking moments, and unapologetic spectacle.
While the storytelling quality varies across its three chapters, the film succeeds where it matters most—as a theatrical horror event. One standout segment, strong production values, and an energetic ensemble make it worth the watch, especially for fans of the franchise and those who enjoy experiencing fear with a crowd.
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½ / 5
