With its teaser quickly racking up massive views on YouTube, “Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins” has surged to the front of this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival buzz, a testament to the franchise’s staying power across generations.
Indeed, for many Filipinos, “Shake, Rattle & Roll” isn’t just a movie; it is a cultural touchstone, a tradition, and a benchmark that defined what Philippine horror could be.
Arguably, no other Regal Entertainment property looms as large as this one.
The late, great film producer Mother Lily Monteverde, Regal’s matriarch, considered the franchise her most successful venture. She was personally involved in early developmental discussions for new iterations prior to her passing, ensuring that the spirit of “SRR” would continue well beyond her lifetime. The weight of that legacy is deeply felt in this year’s revival.
At the press conference, Richard Gutierrez acknowledged the gravity of joining such a storied lineage.
“It’s a huge franchise,” he said. “The idea that it is a continuation of the highly successful ‘Shake, Rattle & Roll’ series of films is, in itself, a huge attraction. It’s an honor to be part of its legacy.”
True to tradition, “Evil Origins” is told in three episodes, each set in a different era — 1775, 2025, and 2050 — weaving a narrative that stretches from colonial dread to futuristic terror.
Carla Abellana, who appears in the first segment, emphasized the importance of setting the tone. “I’m part of the first episode of the film and I think it carries a lot of weight kasi it establishes the whole mood. From the beginning pa lang, dapat makuha mo na ang imagination ng mga manonood and I think, base duon sa reaction sa teaser, we did good.”
For decades, “Shake, Rattle & Roll” has shaped Philippine horror cinema, setting standards that many later films attempted to emulate. Few actors know this better than Manilyn Reynes, who has starred in some of the franchise’s most iconic episodes.
“I’m honored to have been asked again to participate in this,” she said. “I’ve done among the most iconic episodes of the franchise before and I’m quite confident na itong offering namin ngayon could equal that.”
Producer Keith Monteverde also shared personal history behind the revival. “’Shake Rattle & Roll’ is one of the first horror films I watched with my lola, Mother Lily. I’m proud to continue her legacy.”
His mother, Roselle Monteverde, added, “Because this is mom’s baby, we made sure that our take would be at par with past successes. We definitely put a lot of effort in this.”
A major draw of “Evil Origins” is its cross-generational, powerhouse cast. Aside from Richard, Carla, and Manilyn, it also features Janice de Belen, Ivana Alawi, Loisa Andalio, Francine Diaz, Seth Fedelin, Kaila Estrada, Ryan Bang, Ashley Ortega, Ysabel Ortega, Elijah Alejo, Ara Mina, Arlene Muhlach, Matt Lozano, and an ensemble of rising talents who bring fresh blood to the anthology.
With its sweeping scope, legacy-driven vision, and Mother Lily’s unmistakable imprint, “Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins” is shaping up to be the festival’s most significant horror event — a bridge between past terror, present expectations, and future nightmares.
It hits theaters Dec. 25.
