Society & Culture
Based on and inspired by true events, Clarita is a 2019 exorcism film directed by Derick Cabrido. Set in 1950s Manila, Clarita Villanueva (played by Jodi Sta. Maria) is a young woman claiming to be tormented by demons. After being arrested on charges of vagrancy, those assigned to her case begin dying off mysteriously and she is then referred to a pair of exorcist priests (Ricky Davao and Arron Villaflor) to rid her of her demons. Is Clarita a worthy installment to the world of Philippine horror cinema or is it just another exorcism film that blew its load too fast, destined to disappear into the ether of the many other exorcism films that came before it? Kill the lights and let's talk.