Paul Christian Ocampo

Taiwanese horror film 'Mudborn' coming to Philippine cinemas on March 18

Article (news)

Push Team

<p>The chills begin on March 18 as Encore Philippines brings Taiwan’s top-grossing supernatural horror film, <em>Mudborn</em>, to the Philippine big screens.</p><p><em>Mudborn</em> (also known as Ni Wa Wa) is directed by Shieh Meng-ju and stars Yo Yang as Hsu-Chuan, a VR game developer who accidentally brings home a broken clay baby doll from a haunted house. His pregnant wife, Muhua, played by Cecilia Choi Sze-wan, is an artifact conservator who becomes obsessed with the doll and continues restoring it.</p><div><iframe width="1015" height="571" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WMD0FRHwnc8" title="Mudborn teaser trailer - Opens March 18 in Ph cinemas" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>As strange and terrifying events begin to unfold within their family, the couple seeks the help of a psychic exorcist to uncover the horrifying secrets behind the doll a nd the forbidden curses of the “rhyme” that bind it.</p><p>Cecilia Choi Sze-wan is a Hong Kong actress recognized for her supporting role in <em>Detention</em> and her leading performance in <em>Beyond the Dream,</em> which earned her Best Actress at the 26th Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards and a Best Actress nomination at the 39th Hong Kong Film Awards.</p><p>Taiwanese actor Yo Yang made his film debut in <em>Formula 17</em> (2004) and won the Best New Performer Award at the 41st Golden Horse Awards.</p><p>When director Shieh Meng-ju was asked, “Is there a mysterious story hidden behind this rhyme?” he shared that he initially found it intriguing to use such a familiar children’s rhyme as the starting point. As he dissected each line of the lyrics, he realized that phrases like “The clay baby doll has eyes but doesn&#x27;t blink” and “It&#x27;s actually not a real doll” felt even more unsettling.</p><p>From this perspective, director Shieh went on to craft <em>Mudborn</em>, framing the story through the lens of a clay baby doll harboring an evil spirit attempting to possess a person. Horror fans are invited to experience a chilling tale where a seemingly innocent nursery rhyme spirals into a haunting nightmare.</p><div><em>—By Kent Joahs Escabarte, PUSH ABS-CBN Intern</em></div>