Push Admin

Charlie, Xyriel, RK handpicked for new horror film

Article (news)

Anna Cerezo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/171375676339420240422 horror film.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">A scene from the shoot of &#x27;Near Death&#x27; </div>MANILA -- Director Richard Somes “handpicked” Charlie Dizon, Xyriel Manabat, and RK Bagatsing to top-bill his<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"> upcoming horror flick “Near Death,” which he co-wrote during the pandemic.“For me, as a filmmaker, I need to be excited by my actors. Right from the lead, Charlie, while still planning, she was already on my mind. I love her acting prowess and look. I know her acting has so many layers,” he said. “I’ve worked with RK and I know his caliber. He is one of the best male actors. He is a thinking actor. He is able to give everything we talk about… I&#x27;ve been watching her since she was a kid,  Xyriel is really such a revelation,” the director added.Also part of the cast of the film produced by Diamond productions are Marela Torre, Lotlot de Leon, and Sol Cruz. Somes also teased several big names will be making cameos in the film.“We were able to put good together a good lead. We also have the best supporting cast too. We got them because they are so ready,” he said.&quot;Near Death,&quot; as the title suggests, will delve into the experience of individuals who have come close to death but managed to return. “I came up with the idea of a new horror genre, if you experienced a certain moment of death and there are malevolent spirits in the other world that followed you,” he said.Dizon described “Near Death” as not your “typical horror movie” as it will tackle pressing issues as well. “It talks about mental health. You can see how people heal with their issues and how they help themselves. I think it is timely and relevant,” she said. Somes hopes that this fresh new concept will entice Filipinos to go back to the cinemas. “It is timely. There are a lot of issues all over the world suffering from -- loneliness, depression, especially from the pandemic and instability. Are the malevolent spirits real or just in your head?” he said.“It will be relatable for all walks of life. As filmmakers, writers, it is nice to challenge ourselves to come up with something new and to be excited about. It is nice to send a message to the audience as well through an eye-opening story,” he added.The lead actors said the scenes pushed their boundaries as actors as it demanded emotional depth.“The whole shoot was challenging. That&#x27;s what drives you. The way to go about it is collaboration. We help each other,” Bagatsing said.“Every day we are drained, because it really is not an ordinary film. It is deep,”  Dizon added.The stars shared that the well-put-together set, which the cast and crew claim exudes an eerie atmosphere, helped them get into character and effectively convey the story.“Very proud of the production design. It was all built from scratch. It was well planned,” Manabat said,&quot;It helps us create the world for the story. When you enter, you really feel it,” Bagatsing added.Somes hopes to release “Near Death” in theaters by the end of the year.<div> </div>

Director Richard Somes 'handpicked' Charlie Dizon, Xyriel Manabat, and RK Bagatsing to top-bill his upcoming horror flick “Near Death,” which he co-wrote during the pandemic.

Director Richard Somes 'handpicked' Charlie Dizon, Xyriel Manabat, and RK Bagatsing to top-bill his upcoming horror flick “Near Death,” which he co-wrote during the pandemic.

Charlie Dizon, Xyriel Manabat, RK Bagatsing handpicked for new horror film

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Showbiz

Charlie Dizon, Xyriel Manabat, RK Bagatsing handpicked for new horror film

Anna Cerezo,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 22, 2024 11:33 AM PHT

Read More:

Charlie Dizon

Xyriel Manabat

RK Bagatsing

horror film

showbiz news

Near Death

Richard Somes

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.