Before the new ‘Carrie,’ Gladys Reyes starred in Filipino horror gem

Rediscover “Anak ng DIlim,” the 1997 film that showcased Reyes beyond her trademark kontrabida roles.

With the recent release of the latest adaptation of “Carrie,” many Filipinos are rediscovering the 1997 locally made horror film “Anak ng Dilim,” starring Gladys Reyes in the lead role.

With Halloween just around the corner, October brings another season of thrills, chills, and bloody spills.

On Oct. 7, Mike Flanagan’s adaptation of “Carrie” premiered on Amazon Prime Video. Based on Stephen King’s 1974 horror novel, the eight-episode series follows Carrie White as she navigates high school, bullying, and the cruelty of the social media age while grappling with her emerging telekinetic powers.

Starring Summer H. Howell as Carrie, the series is the first television adaptation of King’s novel. It follows three previous screen versions: Brian De Palma’s acclaimed 1976 film, the 2002 television film, and the 2013 theatrical remake starring Chloë Grace Moretz.

But as horror fans tune in to Flanagan’s take on the iconic character, many Filipinos are rediscovering a local horror film that bears striking similarities to King’s story.

Released in 1997, Regal Films’ “Anak ng Dilim” stars none other than the Philippines’ very own Primera Kontrabida, Gladys Reyes.

But if you’re expecting a straightforward remake with the same rehashed plot, think again.

‘Anak ng Dilim’ offers a uniquely pinoy take

“Anak ng Dilim” follows Adela Miranda, a young woman with supernatural powers who struggles to live a normal life while dealing with a strict, overbearing family and a community that fears her abilities.

The film’s story echoes familiar elements of “Carrie,” including a bullied young woman, supernatural powers, and a climactic school event. However, it tells its story through a distinctly Filipino lens.

Upon rewatch, the horror hits close to home because it taps into familiar Filipino realities, from bullying and peer pressure to the psychological toll of family obligations and deeply rooted beliefs in religious superstition and the supernatural.

Moreover, “Anak ng Dilim” offers a more hopeful conclusion, breaking away from the tragedy audiences have come to associate with King’s original story.

Reyes subverts expectations

Following her breakthrough role as the cruel and scheming Clara in “Mara Clara” (1992), opposite Judy Ann Santos as Mara, Reyes built a career as one of Philippine entertainment’s most recognizable antagonists.

In “Anak ng Dilim,” however, audiences saw Reyes in a different light. As Adela, she portrays a sympathetic and vulnerable character, delivering a performance that viewers can relate to while defying the kontrabida image that had come to define her career.

The role showcases Reyes’ versatility and proves she can do more than play the villain.

A stacked supporting cast

While Reyes deserves much of the praise, “Anak ng Dilim” also gives its supporting cast room to shine.

Veteran actresses Amy Austria, who plays Adela’s strict aunt and guardian, Magda, and Gina Pareño, who portrays her unhinged grandmother, Lola Pura, deliver chilling performances. Their characters evoke the suffocating family dynamics surrounding Carrie White, but bring a distinctly Filipino mix of authority, overprotectiveness, and guilt to the story.

Opposite Reyes is her real life partner, Christopher Roxas, who plays Adela’s loyal love interest, Noli. Their natural onscreen chemistry adds genuine warmth to the film, providing a welcome contrast to its dark and horrifying tone.

As Flanagan’s reimagining of the iconic high school outcast trends across social media, now is the perfect time to revisit the 1997 classic. Reyes proves that she deserves a place among local pop culture’s most iconic, yet underrated, scream queens.

The full film is available on Regal Entertainment, Inc.’s official YouTube channel, making “Anak ng Dilim” a worthy addition to your Halloween watchlist.

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