Untold (2025) Review
Untold (2025) Review
Directed by Derick Cabrido and featuring an ensemble cast including Jodi Sta. Maria, Joem Bascon, Juan Karlos Labajo, and Mylene Dizon, Untold attempts to delve into the psychological horror genre but tragically misses its mark.
Released theatrically on April 30, 2025, and available for streaming on Netflix since July 31, the film promised much due to its notable cast and the acclaimed collaborative efforts of Cabrido and writer Enrico Santos on the film P77, as well as writer Noreen Capili’s impressive work on Through Night and Day. Unfortunately, despite these talents, Untold falls significantly short of expectations.
Jodi Sta. Maria delivers a strong performance, shining amidst an otherwise lackluster cast. Her portrayal provides one of the few redeeming qualities in a sea of mediocrity. Joem Bascon, Juan Karlos Labajo, and the rest of the ensemble struggle to match her intensity, resulting in performances that feel flat and forgettable.
Cinematographically, the film manages a competent visual presence, and the music and sound design hold a respectable quality, yet these elements fail to compensate for the glaring flaws. The direction from Cabrido is passable at best, lacking the depth and tension essential for psychological horror. Perhaps most critically, the editing and pacing are sluggish and erratic, making the viewing experience tedious and disengaging.
What truly undermines Untold is its glaring lack of originality. The film feels heavily derivative, reminiscent of superior horror movies such as Insidious, but without the necessary creative spark or genuine scares. Even the jump scares, staples of the genre, fail spectacularly. Further underscoring its unoriginality, the movie's promotional poster appears strikingly similar to Ilya Naishuller's Nobody (2021) starring Bob Odenkirk, and Chad Stahelski's John Wick 2.
In conclusion, Untold is ultimately disappointing—unoriginal in its storytelling, uneven in its performances, and ineffective in its horror elements. Audiences seeking genuine thrills or a compelling narrative should look elsewhere, as this film offers neither. As its title inadvertently suggests, perhaps this story should have remained untold.
Final Rating: 2/10
