Aswang (aka The Unearthing) | |
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Directed by | Wrye Martin Barry Poltermann |
Produced by | Wrye Martin Barry Poltermann |
Written by | Frank L. Anderson Wrye Martin Barry Poltermann |
Starring | Norman Moses Tina Ona Paukstelis |
Music by | Ken Brahmstedt |
Cinematography | Jim Zabilla |
Edited by | Barry Poltermann |
Distributed by | Mondo Macabro (USA, DVD) |
Release date
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Running time
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82 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $70,000 |
Aswang, also called The Unearthing, is a 1994 horror film based on the mythical creature that feeds on the unborn in Filipino folklore.
A desperate pregnant woman agrees to an odd pact agreeing to play wife to a wealthy man living with his mother. She is taken to a secluded mansion where unbeknown to her there are plans to feed her unborn child to an aswang.
Upon its original release reviews by mainstream critics were mixed. TVGuide wrote that "For much of its running time, 'The Unearthing' is a gripping and unsettling journey into fear. Towards the end, however, it abandons its aura of Cronenbergian repulsion, descends into camp, and blunts the impact of its memorably unpleasant build-up".
Film Threat claimed that the uncut release was "completely loaded to the teeth with nerve-wracking suspense, an atmosphere of sheer dread, stomach turning gore and just a dash of black humor. "Aswang" is a very effective and nightmarish film that deserves far more attention than it has garnered over the past 11 years".
In 2008 "Aswang" was featured in the Fangoria book "101 Best Horror Movies You've Never Seen".