Long-held Filipino beliefs surrounding death and mourning take a darker turn in Viva Films’ newest horror offering “Rosario.”
In the film, a rosary placed inside a coffin — a common tradition meant to guide the dead — becomes the source of terror when a crucial step is forgotten, setting off a chain of unexplained deaths.
The story follows Beth (Aubrey Caraan), a devoted daughter and sister who is forced to reconnect with her estranged sibling Ave (Yumi Garcia) after their mother’s death.
As the family gathers to mourn, a religious aunt places a rosary inside the coffin, but in their grief, they fail to complete the ritual, unleashing a curse that begins to claim them one by one.
As the incidents escalate, the siblings must confront both the supernatural threat and unresolved tensions within the family, racing against time to stop what they believe is a deadly chain.
Director Roni Benaid said the film was inspired by beliefs he grew up with and wanted to turn them into a story that feels both personal and familiar.
“I grew up in a family that believed in many superstitions. One of the most prominent beliefs when someone dies is that they must be holding a rosary. But there are also beliefs that it has to be cut, so that a chain of deaths will not follow. I turned that idea into the story of ‘Rosario.’ You’ll find out why the family in the film is cursed,” he explained during a press conference.
Benaid added that the film’s horror is meant to linger beyond the screen, drawing from real-life experiences many viewers can relate to.
“What I really want is for the fear to follow you home, or for it to stay in your mind. We all attend funerals. I hope that every time you attend one, you’ll remember ‘Rosario,’” Benaid said.
For lead actress Caraan, the film presented a different kind of challenge despite her previous work in the horror genre.
“Horror isn’t new to me, but it’s still challenging because each project demands something different. With horror, what’s required from the character isn’t just physical. It’s exhausting in a different way compared to other roles,” she said.
Cast members said the project also deepened their understanding of Filipino traditions surrounding death, including beliefs they were not fully aware of before.
“I didn’t even know about this rosary belief when someone dies. But if there’s nothing to lose, why not follow it? It gives peace of mind, and it’s part of Filipino traditions that have been passed down through generations,” said actor Jairus Aquino.
Some acknowledged that while they do not strictly believe in all superstitions, they still follow them out of respect for family and culture.
“If someone tells you to do it, you might as well do it. There’s nothing to lose. At least you have peace of mind, and you’re respecting other people’s beliefs,” said Lance Carr, who plays Caleb, Beth’s past lover who returns to help break the chain.
The film brings together a mix of veteran and younger actors, including Meg Imperial, Suzette Ranillo, Bernadette Allyson and Rose Van Ginkel.
Blending grief, family conflict and deeply ingrained beliefs, “Rosario” presents horror as something that can emerge from everyday traditions — especially those people rarely question.
“Rosario” opens in cinemas nationwide on April 22.
