Dementia (2014)

Dementia is a horror movie and a psychological movie at the same time but is also a travel movie. Mara Fabre played by superstar Nora Aunor (first time I saw her played in a horror movie) was diagnosed with dementia and to help her recover, her closest kin Elaine (Bing Loyzaga) along with her husband Rommel (Yul Servo) and daughter Rachel (Jasmine Curtis-Smith) relocated to their ancestral house in a remote place of Batanes where an evil apparition starts and secret mystery is unlock that eventually plays and confuses Mara’s recollection between memories, illusions and realities. I didn’t know that Nora Aunor can also be good in a horror movie as we all know she is a great drama actress. But in Dementia, Aunor’s acting is reveting, powerful and superb! Even with few words to utter because of the nature of her character, Aunor delivered a stellar performance a dementia patient. And those dramatic beholding eyes of her were used effectively to convey drama and emotion particularly in face close-up scene that proves that Aunor is really one great actress. Among the supporting cast, Chynna Ortaleza and Bing Loyzaga were memorable. While Jasmine Curtis-Smith needs a few more polishes but she decently delivered her act well. 

Dementia rely its horror effects on reality effects rather using computer-generated effects to convey an effective horror film is which is good since it gave the movie a reality grip. But the most effective element used to give it a real horror theme was the place locations of Batanes. The vast spaces and lonely sceneries of Batanes gives a feel of isolation and fear of what one might see from beyond the vast spaces of a place. Even the house used to be the set of the ancestral house was creepy and dark enough to give scares and tension. Batanes was used immensely as a backdrop to create horror, fear and mystery to Dementia. But I cannot also help but admire the beauty of Batanes which makes Dementia a subtly travel movie. But for some, Dementia might not be enough to be a scream-fest flick or horror movie to fear which I think the reason might be mysterious story of the film which overshadows the horror theme. Yet Dementia for me is successful for being a psychological movie because it makes me think and analyze the mystery that it presented throughout the film even after the credits rolled out.

Going Popcorn Review: 4/5 Popcorns