Tovic Salvador

‘Untold’ review: Jodi Sta. Maria is immorally perfect in new horror film

Article (news)

Josh Mercado

<p>There are actresses in Philippine cinema who, despite their lovely faces and almost ideal lives with no scandals, are like bombs that, when the lights and camera are turned on, leave a mark and a sound that is hard to ignore.</p><p>One of them is Jodi Sta. Maria, who has maintained a wholesome image throughout her showbiz career. The soft-spoken actress and devoted mom always brings sunshine into the room, but what does she contribute in the new Regal horror film?</p><p>How can this charming, always upbeat A-list star give such intense acting, a darkly hilarious, and incredibly gory performance? The answer is that she is a true artist who will remain so. Her dedication is extraordinary.</p><p>In &quot;Untold,&quot; Sta. Maria plays Vivian Vera, a journalist who is inspired by her departed father and comes from a poor background. Growing up, she admired her father&#x27;s career and went on to become a journalist herself.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:633px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1745975427234image0 (5).jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:633px"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><em>Photo from Regal Entertainment Inc. </em></span></span></span></div><p>Life happens, and her mother dies, prompting her to do everything for the position and money. Her company is looking for the next reporter, and she will go to any length to acquire it, including the most nasty and unethical ways.</p><p>There is only one seat for a woman in the media company, which causes conflict between her and her coworker, Elaine Arnaiz (Regal baby Sarah Edwards). Elaine&#x27;s pitches are more interesting and newsworthy than Vivian&#x27;s ideas. The main character is aware that Elaine is far more qualified than she is, but in order to win the job, she violates ethics and workplace relationships.</p><p>In the midst of the country&#x27;s war against fake news, Vivian fabricates stories such as a restaurant making and serving &quot;bopis&quot; and &quot;sisig&quot; out of cats, alarming people. She uses her camera to catch people eating them, but she stages the scene to make it appear real and believable.</p><p>Elaine confronts Vivian, and the encounter becomes heated, and Vivian accidentally pushes Elaine into an approaching car, resulting in her death. Vivian believes Elaine deserves it.</p><p>Another scene that demonstrates Vivian&#x27;s moral compass is when she learns ahead of time that the developers of the land where informal settlers live want to kill them in order to clear the area. Instead of reporting it to the police, she makes it her headline story. Informal settlers die, and her conscience stays unbothered.</p><p>In these moments, Sta. Maria gives outstanding performances with impressive depth and range, reinforced by impactful background music, stylish cinematography that scares people, and a superb sense of comedy that makes the audience laugh.</p><p>Her character serves &quot;cunt&quot; (as Gen Z calls it) with the hopes of becoming a star in her industry. In her mind, truth is about attaining what you want without questioning what is good or wrong. The recognition she receives fills her cup. And, as she delivers the news, she becomes the news.</p><p>The dead from the land massacre start hunting her. The noises, frightening incidents, and dark aura pursue her, posing significant questions about morals, choices, and the sacrifices people are ready to make.</p><p>The dead ones continue to follow her, and Sta. Maria keeps true to her character. The cries, screams, body motions, and frightening face expressions grow more visible, with dread and dying dreams appearing in her eyes.</p><p>Sta. Maria, as an actress, finally achieves what she has been desiring for years: to play a role in a Regal film, and she gives an immorally perfect performance.</p><p>&quot;Untold,&quot; produced by Regal Entertainment Inc.&#x27;s Keith and Roselle Monteverde, opens in the Philippines on April 30 and in Hong Kong, Singapore, Canada, Guam, and Saipan on May 2.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/4/30/students-can-get-p250-discounted-tickets-for-horror-movie-untold-regal-0823" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Students can get P250 discounted tickets for horror movie &#x27;Untold&#x27; — Regal</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/9/21/jodi-sta-maria-to-unleash-inner-demon-in-upcoming-horror-film-untold-1953" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jodi Sta. 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<p>In 'Untold,' Jodi Sta. Maria plays a journalist who is inspired by her departed father and comes from a poor background.</p>

In 'Untold,' Jodi Sta. Maria plays a journalist who is inspired by her departed father and comes from a poor background.