Mikhail Red once again proves his talent for visual storytelling in Lilim crafting a chilling atmosphere that effectively sustains tension throughout its runtime. However, much like his previous works, the film struggles to match its visual strength with the other important things we look for in a film, delivering an experience that’s haunting but ultimately lacking.
Set in 1983, the story follows siblings Issa (Heaven Peralejo) and Tomas (Skywalker David), who flee their home after Issa kills their abusive father in self-defense. On the run from authorities, the pair stumbles upon Helping Hands, a remote orphanage hidden deep in the mountains. With no other options, they are forced to stay but only to discover that the institution harbors sinister secrets of its own.
While Lilim succeeds as a horror film particularly in its ability to build suspense through effective use of its production design, it raises narrative questions that go unanswered. Chief among them for us is why set the story during the Martial Law era if the historical context is never meaningfully explored? The choice suggests the potential for thematic weight, yet the film completely forgets to build upon its setting. This happens several times in the film that confounded us each time. There’s a sense that Lilim aims to be more than the sum of its parts such as being politically and historically resonant but these ambitions are never realized.
The plot itself unfolds in familiar genre beats and even the plot twists in its climactic last half was hit or miss. In the end, Lilim is a technically accomplished work with moments of brilliance, but it’s held back by its tendency to bring about nothing. It can be a compelling watch for fans of psychological horror, but those looking for a deeper or more cohesive story may come away feeling unsatisfied.
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Lilim (2025) Movie Review: There's Something Missing
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