Jodi Sta. Maria
Vivian Vera
Overview
Vivian Vera is a multi-awarded journalist with a dark past. She sensationalized some of her breaking news for her ambition. Her distortion of the truth ruined lives, and these lives have begun to haunt Vivian – they want her to join them... or else they will kill everyone around her who helped her in the lie.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
5 min readThe Ghosts We Create
I’ve always thought the scariest monsters aren’t the ones that hide under beds, but the ones we invite into our lives—through ambition, through lies, through the stories we tell ourselves to sleep at night. Untold, Derick Cabrido’s 2025 psychological horror film, understands this. It’s a movie about a journalist who built her career on sensationalism, only to find that the ghosts of her fabrications have come to collect.
The premise is rich with potential: a cautionary tale about the cost of truth-twisting, wrapped in the trappings of a supernatural thriller. But like many stories about reckoning, Untold struggles to balance its moral weight with the demands of genre. It’s a film that wants to haunt you long after the credits roll, yet too often settles for jump scares that evaporate like smoke.
Cabrido, a filmmaker with a knack for blending horror with social commentary (Clarita, Mallari), sets his sights on the Philippine media landscape, a world he knows intimately from his days in documentary TV. His frustration with sensationalism isn’t subtle—it’s the engine of the film. Vivian Vera (Jodi Sta.
Maria) is the queen of tabloid journalism, a woman who rose to fame by fabricating stories, including one infamous exposé where she allegedly killed her own cat to "prove" a restaurant was serving pet meat. The film opens with her chasing another scoop: an interview with a security chief tied to a massacre she once covered. But when a mysterious woman named Diana Santillan (Angel Raymundo) appears, offering Vivian a cursed bracelet and confronting her with the lives she’s ruined, the past refuses to stay buried.
Soon, Vivian’s crew begins dying in grotesque ways, and she’s left questioning whether the horrors are supernatural or the manifestations of her own guilt.
The film’s most effective moments are the quiet ones, where Cabrido lets the dread simmer. There’s a scene early on where Vivian, mid-interview, suddenly sees the ghost of a man she once exploited—a victim of her "Cement Massacre" story—standing behind her subject. The camera lingers on her face as her expression flickers from professional detachment to something raw and unguarded.
Audience Opinions
Audience 6.5/10
"A haunting but uneven horror film with strong performances and eerie atmosphere, though its pacing and predictability hold it back."
Viewers appreciate the unsettling tone and standout performances, particularly from Jodi Sta. Maria and Gloria Diaz, which add depth to the supernatural horror elements. latestnetflix.com's take is that however, the slow pacing and reliance on familiar genre tropes leave some feeling underwhelmed, with the story struggling to fully capitalize on its intriguing premise.
What viewers praise
- Strong lead performances Jodi Sta. Maria and Gloria Diaz deliver compelling performances that anchor the film’s emotional and supernatural weight.
- Eerie atmosphere The film’s unsettling visuals and sound design create a consistently creepy mood that resonates with horror fans.
- Intriguing premise The setup offers a fresh take on supernatural horror, sparking curiosity about its untold mysteries.
Common complaints
- Slow pacing The deliberate build-up frustrates some viewers, who feel the film drags before delivering scares.
- Predictable plot Familiar horror tropes and a lack of surprises make the story feel formulaic at times.
- Underdeveloped side characters Supporting roles, including younger cast members, lack depth, weakening the film’s emotional impact.
Recommended for
Horror enthusiasts seeking atmosphere Fans of supernatural thrillers Jodi Sta. Maria admirers Slow-burn horror lovers
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsJodi Sta. Maria Steps Into Horror with Untold—A First for the Star and a Timely Scare
Jodi Sta. Maria is trading drama for dread in Untold (2025), her first foray into horror under the Regal Films banner. Directed by Derick Cabrido, the psychological thriller marks a bold pivot for the actress, best known for her roles in romantic dramas and family sagas. latestnetflix.com's take is that but this time, she’s not just navigating love triangles—she’s confronting something far darker.
A Star’s Horror Debut
Sta. Maria plays Vivian Vera, a TV journalist helming a documentary series called Untold. The premise is simple: uncover hidden truths. But when a traumatic investigation spirals into supernatural chaos, Vivian and her crew find themselves haunted by forces tied to her own past 
. The film’s tagline—"Some stories should never be told"—hints at the high-stakes terror lurking beneath the surface.
For Sta. Maria, Untold represents uncharted territory. While she’s no stranger to intense roles (The Legal Wife, Wildflower), horror is a new beast. Sources suggest the actress leaned into the genre’s demands, though specifics on her preparation remain scarce . What’s clear is that her casting adds star power to a genre often dominated by younger talent in Philippine cinema.
A Cast of Familiar Faces—and a Legend
Sta. Maria isn’t alone in this nightmare. The ensemble includes a mix of rising stars and veterans:
- Juan Karlos Labajo (He’s Into Her) and Kaori Oinuma (Senior High) play key roles, though their characters’ arcs are still under wraps.
- Gloria Diaz, the 1969 Miss Universe, takes on the role of Vivian’s mother, Monica—a cafeteria owner with secrets of her own .
- Joem Bascon (On the Job) and Mylene Dizon (The Killer Bride) round out the cast, adding gravitas to the film’s psychological layers.
The inclusion of Diaz, a national icon, is particularly intriguing. While her recent film roles have been sporadic, Untold positions her as a pivotal figure in Vivian’s backstory, raising questions about how her character’s past intersects with the horror unfolding .
Fake News Meets Supernatural Horror
Untold arrives at a time when misinformation is a hot-button issue in the Philippines. Director Derick Cabrido (Bliss, Oro) weaves the film’s horror around the dangers of fake news, framing Vivian’s investigation as a descent into a web of lies with deadly consequences . The Manila Standard describes the film as a "timely reminder of the dangers of misinformation," suggesting that the scares aren’t just supernatural—they’re rooted in real-world fears .
Critics have been mixed on the execution. A review from Mixtape for the Apocalypse praises Sta. Maria’s performance and the film’s production values but notes that the script struggles to balance its ambitions . Meanwhile, blogger Fred Said calls the film "adulterated ambition," hinting at a disconnect between the story’s potential and its delivery .
**What’s Next for Untold?**
As of now, Untold doesn’t have a confirmed streaming or international release date, though its Netflix mention in one review suggests a possible digital rollout . Given the film’s timely themes and Sta. Maria’s star power, it could find an audience beyond local theaters—if the scares land.
For now, fans are left with questions: Will Vivian’s past unravel in a way that justifies the horror? And can Sta. Maria’s first horror role redefine her career? One thing’s certain—Untold isn’t just another ghost story. It’s a gamble on genre, star power, and the terrifying cost of chasing the truth.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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