Hiraya (2024) Movie Review
Directed by: Sid Pascua
Screenplay by: Quinn Carillo
Cast: Denise Esteban, Quinn Carillo, Ithan Rosales, Nathan Rojas, Rica Gonzales, JD Aguas, Apollo Abraham, Rowan Diaz, Elmo Elarmo, Tabs Sumulong, Lowell Conales, Panteen Palanca, AJ Oteyza, VJ Vera, Mark Labrador, Jhai Slvr, Abby de Ocampo, Noel Rosales
Presented by: 3:16 Media Network
Release Date: July 12, 2024 (Vivamax)
Hiraya (2024), directed by Sid Pascua, presents itself as a mystifying tale centered around a woman named Hiraya, whose enigmatic persona is supposed to drive the plot. Despite its ambitions to offer a unique and intriguing narrative, the film struggles significantly in its execution, leaving much to be desired.
Plot and Execution
The film’s premise—revolving around the mysterious character of Hiraya—promises a captivating story. However, the execution falls short, leading to a tedious viewing experience. The pacing of Hiraya is sluggish, with scenes dragged out unnecessarily and dialogue that tends to repeat itself. Even if one were to fast-forward through portions of the film, they would still find themselves well within the narrative due to the lack of progression.
The abrupt insertion of sex scenes throughout the film appears more as a distraction than a contribution to the plot. These scenes, coupled with excessive scoring and poor editing, create a disjointed viewing experience. The transitions between scenes are jarring, making the overall presentation feel poorly crafted.
Performances
Rica Gonzales’s portrayal of Hiraya is the film’s redeeming aspect. Her performance captures the mysterious and complex nature of her character, although it is marred by the film’s shortcomings. In contrast, Ithan Rosales’s portrayal of the antagonist lacks the intensity needed to make him truly menacing. Quinn Carillo’s performance, while decent, feels out of place within the context of the film’s chaotic narrative.
Supporting actors Denise Esteban and Nathan Rojas deliver solid performances, but their efforts are overshadowed by the film’s lackluster execution. The film’s ensemble cast, while extensive, does not significantly enhance the story due to the overall disjointed nature of the film.
Comparison to Other Works
Within the Vivamax universe, Hiraya can be viewed as a downgraded version of Nerisa—another film featuring a mysterious female lead. While Nerisa managed to create a compelling and tense atmosphere, Hiraya fails to evoke any strong emotions or engagement from its audience. The film’s attempts at mystery and intrigue fall flat, resulting in a narrative that feels underdeveloped and unsatisfying.
Missed Opportunities
The film had the potential to explore the depths of its titular character’s mystique but instead becomes a missed opportunity. The storyline loses its way, failing to capitalize on Hiraya’s enigmatic nature. Instead of deepening the character’s mystery, the film seems to retreat from exploring the issues it raises, resulting in a sense of abandonment both for the character and the audience.
Where to Watch
For those interested in the latest offerings from Vivamax, Hiraya is available for streaming. However, viewers seeking a film with engaging storytelling, effective suspense, and well-developed characters may find this film lacking. Hiraya ends up being a confusing and unsatisfying experience rather than a memorable cinematic journey.
Conclusion
Hiraya (2024) is a film that aimed to bring a fresh perspective to the Vivamax lineup but ultimately fails to deliver a compelling or cohesive story. Its focus on sensational elements rather than substantive storytelling undermines its potential impact. The film’s slow pacing, disjointed editing, and excessive reliance on explicit content detract from the intriguing concept it sets out to explore.
