Lisik: Origin Point
A Philippine independent horror film about a school infection.
Lisik: Origin Point is a 2025 Philippine independent apocalyptic horror thriller film written and directed by John Renz Cahilig. Produced by Dominic Orjalo, the film features Nika De Guzman, Grace Rosas Tayo, Jeremiah Allera, and Rosemarie Smith. The story follows senior high school students whose school becomes the site of a strange infection that turns students into flesh-eating monsters. The plot is set in a quiet coastal town in the Philippines. Senior high school student Kara (Grace Rosas Tayo) is struggling with the recent suicide of her younger brother, who was severely bullied by classmates. Her best friend, Elisha (Nika De Guzman), is driven by anger and seeks revenge against the bullies, particularly the arrogant and manipulative Max (Jeremiah Allera). As the school year goes on, a mysterious infection spreads, turning students into creatures called “Lisik.” Unlike typical zombies, these beings appear to have their inner evil amplified by the infection. The outbreak originates from a secret experiment by the school’s science teacher, Dr. Espino (Rosemarie Smith), who was trying to enhance human abilities but accidentally released a deadly virus. Amid the chaos, Elisha learns the truth about the experiments and hunts down the bullies, killing them in gruesome ways. She eventually becomes infected herself, her eyes glowing blue as she transforms into a Lisik. In a final act of humanity, Elisha urges Kara to escape with documents that could expose the experiments. Kara sacrifices herself to save a young boy, ensuring the evidence reaches authorities. Elisha, now the last survivor, is found by her policeman brother, her eyes still glowing, suggesting a lingering consciousness despite her transformation. The cast also includes Ramon Christopher, Revers Quilario, Joshua Cantuba, Rain Mirasol, Jossah Mae Sison, and Rob Sy. On February 7, 2025, director John Renz Cahilig discussed the difference between *Lisik: Origin Point* and the South Korean series *All of Us Are Dead*. He explained that his film takes place in a school where a professor’s experiment causes the outbreak, while *All of Us Are Dead* introduced “hambies,” half-human, half-zombie hybrids. He added that his film is not a copycat because its characters are unique, and while the settings are similar, the stories are not the same.
Quick Facts
- Director
- John Renz Cahilig
- Screenplay
- John Renz Cahilig / Patrick Garcia
- Story
- Chrisheil Clemente Acal / Dominic Apil Orlajo
- Producer
- Dominic Orjalo
- Starring
- Nika De Guzman / Grace Rosas Tayo / Jeremiah Allera / Rosemarie Smith
- Music
- Patrick Anthony Garcia
- Studio
- Domniel International Films Production / Dominic Institute of Science and Technology
- Distributor
- PinoyFlix
- Released
- 19 February 2025
- Runtime
- 91 minutes
- Country
- Philippines
- Language
- Filipino
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The film is set in a quiet coastal town in the Philippines, where senior high school student Kara (Grace Rosas Tayo) is grieving the suicide of her younger brother, who was bullied by classmates. Her best friend Elisha (Nika De Guzman) seeks vengeance against the bullies, led by Max (Jeremiah Allera). A mysterious infection spreads through the school, turning students into flesh-eating monsters called 'Lisik,' which amplify the evil within individuals. The outbreak is traced to a secret experiment by science teacher Dr. Espino (Rosemarie Smith), who aimed to enhance human abilities but unleashed a deadly virus. Elisha hunts the bullies but succumbs to the infection, her eyes glowing blue as she transforms. In a final act of humanity, she urges Kara to escape with documents exposing the experiments. Kara sacrifices herself to save a young boy, ensuring the evidence reaches authorities. Elisha, now the last survivor, is found by her policeman brother, her eyes still glowing, hinting at lingering consciousness.
Reader's Guide
Lisik: Origin Point is notable as a 2025 Philippine independent film that distinguishes itself from the South Korean series All of Us Are Dead. Director John Renz Cahilig stated that his film takes place in a school where a professor's experiment causes the outbreak, while All of Us Are Dead introduced 'hambies' (half-human, half-zombie hybrids). Cahilig emphasized that the characters in his film are unique and not copycats, noting that the characters in All of Us Are Dead are very chaotic, though the settings are similar. The film's significance lies in its independent production under the PinoyFlix banner and its exploration of infection as a metaphor for amplified evil, with a plot involving revenge, sacrifice, and a lingering consciousness in the transformed protagonist. Its theatrical release on February 19, 2025, marks a contribution to Philippine horror cinema.
Did You Know?
- The film's monsters are called 'Lisik,' which are not typical zombies but beings whose infection amplifies the evil within individuals.
- The outbreak is caused by a secret experiment by the school's science teacher, Dr. Espino, who aimed to enhance human abilities.
- Director John Renz Cahilig stated that the film is not a copycat of All of Us Are Dead, citing unique characters and a different cause for the outbreak.
- The film was theatrically released on February 19, 2025, under the PinoyFlix banner.
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