Seklusyon (2016) Movie Review

Seklusyon (2016) Movie Review: Great Even After a Decade

Even after nearly a decade, Seklusyon still holds up remarkably well. The film presents thought-provoking ideas that invite viewers to reflect on deeper themes beyond its surface as a horror movie. For those expecting a traditional scare fest, the film may feel slow or even a little tedious at times. But the true horror here is more subtle. In fact, the real-life implications of the story are far more unsettling than the supernatural elements that appear on screen.

Set in 1947, the story follows a group of aspiring priests who are sent to a remote convent to live in seclusion for a week as their final test before ordination. The ritual is meant to prove their readiness to serve the Church. However, their isolation is disrupted when a mysterious young girl with purported miraculous powers, Anghela (Rhed Bustamante), arrives at the convent seeking shelter. Soon, each candidate begins experiencing vivid encounters from their pasts, forcing them to confront the real reasons why they chose the priesthood in the first place.

The narrative of Seklusyon is intriguing from the start, weaving together two separate storylines that eventually converge. Ironically, despite the film’s title suggesting that the seclusion ritual would take center stage, the subplot involving Anghela and her supposed miracles ends up being the stronger hook. The same contrast appears in the performances. Ronnie Alonte leads the group of aspiring priests but his performance feels noticeably weaker compared to the rest of the cast. In contrast, Rhed Bustamante delivers an impressive and unsettling performance as Anghela, though the film could have benefited from giving her character more backstory.

At around 90 minutes, the film also feels like it needed a bit more time to fully develop its characters and themes. The final 15 minutes, which attempt to tie together the film’s mysteries and revelations feel rushed given the amount of ground the story tries to complete. Despite this, the ending remains impactful and makes the journey worthwhile even with the film’s narrative shortcomings. Overall, Seklusyon is a rewarding watch if you approach it with the right expectations. It isn’t designed to be an all-out horror thriller but rather a slow-burning exploration of false idols.

Rating: 3 and a half reels