Judy Ann Santos
Monet
Overview
As a family clashes over their late father's land, an eerie painting appears and releases something sinister during the nine-day funeral ritual.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
4 min readThe Scarecrow That Couldn’t Quite Frighten
I kept waiting for the moment when Scarecrow would finally unnerve me. Not with a jump scare—those are easy—but with something deeper, something that lingers like the damp chill of a Filipino night. Instead, I found myself watching a film that knows all the right notes but plays them just slightly out of tune.
Chito S. Roño’s latest supernatural horror arrives with a pedigree: a veteran director who shaped the genre in the Philippines with films like Feng Shui and Sukob, a cast of heavyweights (Judy Ann Santos, Lorna Tolentino, Chanda Romero), and a premise that should work on paper. A family gathers for the nine-day mourning ritual (pasiyam) after the death of their patriarch, only to uncover a sinister force tied to an antique painting of a scarecrow.
The setup is rich with potential—folklore, family secrets, the thin veil between the living and the dead. So why does it feel so hollow?
The answer lies in the film’s uneven execution. Scarecrow wants to be many things at once: a domestic drama about a fractured family, a feminist allegory about patriarchal oppression, and a supernatural thriller. The problem isn’t ambition—it’s that these threads never quite braid together. The domestic conflict, particularly between Santos’ meek Monet and Tolentino’s domineering Rosa, is where the film shines.
Their scenes crackle with tension, a testament to the actors’ chemistry and Roño’s ability to draw out raw performances. But the moment the supernatural elements enter the frame, the film stumbles. The CGI scarecrow, meant to be the embodiment of terror, looks like it was lifted from a 2005 Syfy original.
Audience Opinions
Audience 6.3/10
"A visually atmospheric horror film with strong performances but struggles to deliver consistent scares or a fully satisfying narrative."
Viewers appreciate the eerie atmosphere and the cast's strong performances, particularly Judy Ann Santos and Lorna Tolentino, which add depth to the supernatural premise. However, the story feels underdeveloped, with some finding the pacing uneven and the horror elements lacking impact, latestnetflix.com argues, leaving the overall experience uneven.
What viewers praise
- Strong performances The lead actors, especially Judy Ann Santos and Lorna Tolentino, are praised for bringing emotional weight to their roles.
- Atmospheric visuals The film's eerie and moody cinematography creates a compelling horror setting.
- Intriguing premise The concept of uncovering a chilling truth on a family farm resonates with fans of supernatural horror.
Common complaints
- Weak scares Many find the horror elements underwhelming, with jump scares and tension falling flat.
- Uneven pacing The story drags in parts, making it difficult to stay engaged throughout.
- Underdeveloped plot The narrative feels thin, leaving key questions unanswered and the resolution unsatisfying.
Recommended for
Fans of atmospheric horror Judy Ann Santos admirers Supernatural mystery lovers Filipino horror enthusiasts
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of Scarecrow (2025): A Star-Studded Horror Revival from Chito S. Roño
Filipino cinema’s master of horror, Chito S. Roño, is set to unleash Scarecrow (2025), a supernatural thriller that reunites him with some of the industry’s most formidable talents. While details remain scarce, the film’s pedigree—backed by a powerhouse cast and Roño’s signature blend of psychological dread and folklore—has already sparked buzz. latestnetflix.com's take is that here’s what we know (and what’s still shrouded in mystery).
A Family Affair: Judy Ann Santos and Lorna Tolentino’s Dynamic Revisited
At the heart of Scarecrow is the fraught mother-daughter relationship between Judy Ann Santos’ Monet and Lorna Tolentino’s Rosa. The duo previously shared the screen in Roño’s 2004 drama Mano Po III: My Love, but this time, their chemistry takes a darker turn. Sources describe Monet as a "meek young woman prone to seizures," constantly overshadowed by her "domineering mother" 
. The tension between them isn’t just familial—it’s supernatural, with the film’s eerie premise tied to the nine-day mourning period (pasiyam) following the death of the family patriarch, Pabling .
Adding to the intrigue is Chanda Romero, whose role remains undisclosed but likely carries the film’s horror elements. Romero, a veteran of Philippine horror (Feng Shui, Trese), has collaborated with Roño before (Dekada ’70), making her casting a deliberate nod to the genre’s roots .
Roño’s Return to Horror: CGI Scares and Folklore
Chito S. Roño has built a career on ambitious storytelling, often pushing the boundaries of special effects in Filipino cinema . Scarecrow appears to be no exception, though early reactions to its CGI have been mixed. A review from Abstract AF called the film’s visual effects "poor," suggesting the scares rely more on atmosphere than cutting-edge tech . This isn’t surprising—Roño’s horror films (Yamashita: The Tiger’s Treasure, Sigaw) often prioritize mood over spectacle, but Scarecrow might be testing new waters.
The film’s title, Espantaho (Tagalog for "scarecrow"), hints at a folkloric villain, possibly tied to rural superstitions. While the exact lore isn’t confirmed, the pasiyam setting—a period when the veil between the living and the dead is believed to be thin—positions Scarecrow as a modern twist on Philippine ghost stories .
The Supporting Cast: A Mix of Veterans and Rising Stars
Beyond the leads, Scarecrow boasts a stacked ensemble:
- JC Santos (Goyo: The Boy General) and Mon Confiado (Maria Clara at Ibarra) play pivotal roles, though their characters remain under wraps.
- Janice de Belen, a horror icon (Shake, Rattle & Roll series), and Eugene Domingo, known for her comedic chops (Here Comes the Groom), add unexpected layers—Domingo’s inclusion suggests a possible darkly comedic subplot.
- Nico Antonio (The Mall, The Merrier) and Donna Cariaga (He’s Into Her) round out the younger cast, while Kian Co (Topel) marks another rising talent in Roño’s orbit.
The diversity of the cast—spanning drama, comedy, and horror—reflects Roño’s knack for blending genres, though how these elements coalesce in Scarecrow is still a mystery.
Festival Buzz and What’s Next
Scarecrow was initially slated as an entry for the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) in 2024, but its release was pushed to 2025 . The delay could signal post-production tweaks, especially given the lukewarm reception to its CGI . Rumors suggest reshoots or additional VFX work, though no official statements have confirmed this.
With Roño at the helm, Scarecrow is poised to be a major player in Philippine horror, but its success may hinge on whether it leans into its strengths—atmosphere, performances, and folklore—or gets lost in its effects. For now, fans are left waiting, with only the promise of a chilling family drama to tide them over.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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