Deleter
A screenlife horror about a content moderator hiding trauma.
Deleter is a 2022 Philippine screenlife psychological horror thriller film directed by Mikhail Red. It stars Nadine Lustre, Louise delos Reyes, McCoy de Leon, and Jeffrey Hidalgo. The film was released theatrically on December 25, 2022 as an entry to the 2022 Metro Manila Film Festival.
- director
- Mikhail Red
- release_date
- December 25, 2022 (Philippines)
- genre
- Screenlife psychological horror thriller
- country
- Philippines
- production_company
- Viva Films
- box_office_peak
- ₱270 million (as of January 9, 2023)
Quick Facts
- Director
- Mikhail Red
- Producer
- Mikhail Red / Vicente G. del Rosario III / Veronique del Rosario-Corpus / Vicente Del Rosario Jr.
- Writer
- Mikhail Red / Nikolas Red
- Starring
- Nadine Lustre / Louise delos Reyes / McCoy de Leon / Jeffrey Hidalgo
- Music
- Myka Magsaysay-Sigua / Paul Sigua
- Cinematography
- Ian Alexander Guevara
- Editing
- Nikolas Red
- Studio
- Pelikula Red / Top Story
- Distributor
- Viva Films
- Released
- 2022 · 12 · 25 · GRIMMFEST · 2023 · 10 · 5 · Manchester
- Runtime
- 93 minutes
- Country
- Philippines
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The film follows Lyra, who works shifts at a shadowy online content moderation office where employees, known as deleters, are tasked with filtering graphic uploads from reaching social media platforms. Her co-workers and boss Simon observe her as a cold person unfazed by disturbing imagery, but Lyra hides a deep trauma. Her attempt to erase and forget her past forces her to maintain an apathetic face to the horrors of the world.
Reader's Guide
Deleter is notable as the first collaboration between director Mikhail Red and Viva Films. Red drew on the Philippines' reputation as the 'content moderation capital of the world' and the mental health and working conditions of content moderators for the story. Filming began in July 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic, with few locations used to simulate a claustrophobic environment. The film was not originally intended for the Metro Manila Film Festival but was entered and became the top-grossing entry, earning ₱270 million by January 9, 2023 according to industry reports.
Did You Know?
- Deleter was the first collaboration between Mikhail Red and Viva Films.
- Filming began in July 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic, with COVID-19 protocols observed.
- The film earned ₱270 million by January 9, 2023, making it the top-grossing entry of the 2022 Metro Manila Film Festival.
- The film was released internationally, premiering in the United States on January 6, 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed Deleter?
Mikhail Red helmed the 2022 Philippine horror film, which was produced by Viva Films and entered the Metro Manila Film Festival as its Christmas release.
What is Deleter about?
The story centers on a content moderator whose buried personal trauma begins to resurface, and the entire narrative unfolds through the lenses of phones, laptops, and other digital screens rather than conventional live-action framing.
Who are the main actors in Deleter?
The lead cast features Nadine Lustre, Louise delos Reyes, McCoy de Leon, and Jeffrey Hidalgo.
What makes Deleter's screenlife format unique?
Every scene is shot as though the audience is looking directly at a character's phone, tablet, or computer monitor, so there are no traditional wide shots or off-screen narration. This forces the viewer to experience the horror in real time, scrolling and swiping alongside the protagonist.
How much did Deleter gross at the box office?
After its December 25, 2022 theatrical debut in the Philippines, the film peaked at approximately ₱270 million in domestic revenue by January 9, 2023.
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