Kisapmata

The cast includes Vic Silayan, Charo Santos, Jay Ilagan, and Charito Solis. The story draws from Nick Joaquin's crime report "The House on Zapote Street," which details the familicide carried out by retired policeman Pablo Cabading. The film is regarded as a pioneer of psychological horror in the Philippines, marking the first major cinematic treatment of incest in the country. Its themes have been interpreted as a critique of patriarchy and the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos. The plot follows Mila, who tells her domineering father, retired policeman Tatang Dadong Carandang, that she is pregnant. She asks to marry her coworker Noel Manalansan. Dadong agrees only after his excessive dowry demands are met. After the wedding, Dadong insists the couple live in his house. Mila says she must stay to care for her sick mother Dely, frustrating Noel, who wants to move out. One night, Noel is locked out and forced to find other lodging. Mila eventually decides to escape with Noel, and they stay with Noel's father. When they return to the Carandang house to collect their belongings, Dadong pleads with Mila to stay, hinting at an incestuous interest in her unborn child. When they refuse, he shoots Dely, Noel, Mila, and himself. De Leon clarified that the characters' names are Dely and Mila (not Adelina and Milagros as originally credited), and Silayan's character is simply Tatong Dadong. The surname Carandang is never spoken in the film. The piece, written in New Journalism style, recounts how Cabading shot his daughter and son-in-law before killing himself. His wife survived and later tried to block the film's release. Joaquin's report does not explicitly mention rape, but academic Joyce Arriola suggests the text implies it. The original film omitted Joaquin's name to avoid direct reference to the real case; the restored version credits him.