Network meets The Exorcist in Manila's cutthroat news war—demon or ratings stunt?
The film follows two competing television news teams as they chase a variety of leads, gradually zeroing in on an impending and possibly apocalyptic storm, and a middle-aged teacher who may or may not be possessed by a demon. Writer and actress Raquel Villavicencio plays the ruthless head of the top-rated network, coming off as a Tagalog variation on Faye Dunaway's fabled character in Network. Her team has eschewed covering politics in favour of triedand- true tabloid fodder: demonic possession.
Acting
Raquel Villavicencio devours scenes like she's been hungry since 1976.
Direction
Mendoza's handheld vérité makes possession feel like breaking news.
Director
Brillante Ma Mendoza
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Mendoza filmed during actual typhoon season; weather reports in the movie are genuine broadcasts.
The film mirrors 2013 Philippine media landscape where actual exorcisms received primetime coverage. The teacher's possession case directly references a 2011 viral video of a Manila 'demoniac' that dominated news cycles for weeks.
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