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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Entertainment/iWant) |
ABS-CBN's online streaming service iWant has resurrected Celso Ad
Castillo's legendary psychological horror film "Patayin Sa Sindak Si
Barbara" with the modern retelling of its story in the original movie Barbara
Reimagined, which is now available for streaming on the service for free, directed
by Benedict Mique and Celso's late son Christopher Ad Castillo with Nathalie
Hart as Barbara.
Now celebrating its 45th anniversary this year, the original
"Patayin Sa Sindak Si Barbara" featured a young Susan Roces as the
eponymous character and became essential in the legacy of horror as a genre in
Philippine cinema. It has since sprung different Barbaras for generations of viewers
played by Lorna Tolentino in the 1995 movie of the same name followed by Kris
Aquino in ABS-CBN's teleserye version in 2008. Like its previous versions, Barbara
Reimagined tackles the fraught relationship of two sisters packed with a bunch
of jumpscares throughout the film. However, the iWant original flick offers a
dark and disturbing twist that will catch viewers completely off guard.
Barbara Reimagined begins with Barbara (Nathalie Hart) coming home for the
funeral of her delusional sister Karen (Mariel De Leon) who died after
committing suicide. While grieving, she finds comfort in her former lover and
Karen's husband James (JC De Vera). With her unstable niece Isabelle (Xia Vigor)
needing a mother and the fire of her relationship with James just reignited,
Barbara decides to stay and fill the hole her sister left. However, strange events
will happen upon her return and Barbara will soon discover the events that have
led to her sister's mysterious death.
Co-produced by Lone Wolf Films and Malaya Roxanne Santos, Barbara
Reimagined was shown in the 2019 Cinema One Originals Film Festival prior to
its availability on iWant via its official mobile app for iOS and Android
devices and iWant.ph. Also available for online viewing on the service are
Celso Ad Castillo's original version and Chito S. Roño's remake with Lorna
Tolentino and Dawn Zulueta as well as their restored versions.
