#KMJSGabiNgLagimTheMovie – Pocong Review
Starring: Miguel Tanfelix, Jon Lucas, Kristofer Martin
Director: Yam Laranas
An effective horror film always starts with a solid story and smooth, coherent storytelling, and that’s where Pocong shows both its promise and its pitfalls.
The episode follows Mark (Miguel Tanfelix), a seaman aboard an Indonesian vessel. With his third eye open, Mark encounters disturbing apparitions: dead seafarers and, most notably, a pocong, a supernatural entity in Indonesian folklore, wrapped tightly in white burial shrouds with bound limbs, echoing traditional Muslim funerary customs. A sighting of a pocong is believed to herald misfortune or death, a warning that hangs heavily over Mark as he fears tragedy might strike him, his family, or the ship itself.
Pocong holds great potential, especially with its introduction of a creature rarely explored in Philippine cinema. Unfortunately, the episode falls short in building a strong foundation. We never really learn where the pocong comes from or why it fixates on Mark. The lack of a proper backstory results in a plot that feels incomplete. Sudden scene transitions also disrupt the momentum, making it harder for the story to establish itself meaningfully.
The prosthetics, while present, don’t quite deliver the intended impact. Sometimes, less is more, implying horror rather than overemphasizing it can be far more effective.
What truly elevates the episode are the performances. Miguel Tanfelix, Jon Lucas, and Kristofer Martin all give compelling portrayals that ground the story. A special mention goes to Phi Palmos, who shines in every moment he appears. You can’t help but wish he had been given more screen time; he delivers his role with such precision that he easily becomes a standout.
The ending, however, redeems much of the episode’s earlier shortcomings. The final twist is chilling and Miguel absolutely delivered, and the conclusion, it leaves you holding at the edge of your seat.
Overall, Pocong is a good episode with clear room for improvement. A narration or a stronger POV centered on Mark could have provided the depth it lacked. The setting, a vast ship surrounded by endless sea offered so much potential for atmospheric horror that wasn’t fully tapped. There was an ocean of possibilities, literally and figuratively, that could have strengthened the episode’s impact.
Rating: 2.5/5
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