You are here:

Pagpag: Nine Lives

Name: Pagpag: Nine Lives
Director: Frasco Mortiz
Released: 2013
Duration: 105 min

Representation Score

4.3/10

Fair

2013

TV-14

Director

Frasco Mortiz

Runtime

105 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Pagpag: Nine Lives is a genre-driven horror film that finds its strength in cultural specificity. By centering the plot on the Filipino 'Pagpag' tradition, the film elevates regional folklore and non-Western spiritual frameworks into a cinematic experience. However, the film primarily serves as a suspense-driven narrative, focusing on the mechanics of horror and survival. It does not extensively address social hierarchies or identity politics. While it successfully provides a platform for indigenous belief systems, it does not intentionally engage with broader issues of characters who reflect more than one aspect of diversity, such as LGBTQ+ identities or gender subversion.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Pagpag: Nine Lives have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film focuses on a group of teenagers facing a supernatural threat. There are no LGBTQ+ character arcs or non-conforming gender identities presented.

How does Pagpag: Nine Lives portray gender?

Fair

The story features a typical ensemble of teenage characters. It adheres to conventional genre expectations without challenging traditional gender roles or hierarchies.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Pagpag: Nine Lives?

Good

The film centers on Filipino cultural practices and local folklore. It validates regional perspectives by using the 'Pagpag' belief as a central plot device.

How does Pagpag: Nine Lives represent religion and culture?

Fair

The narrative prioritizes local cultural logic and traditional spiritualism. It celebrates regional folklore without framing traditional institutions as inherently corrupt.

Does Pagpag: Nine Lives include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no mention of characters with visible or invisible disabilities. No data exists regarding how disability is portrayed or used within the plot.

Present on Screen

Strong ethnic specificity through the use of Filipino folklore.
Validates regional perspectives and non-Western spiritual frameworks.
Centers local cultural logic and traditional superstitions.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit LGBTQ+ character arcs or non-conforming gender identities.
Does not actively subvert traditional gender roles or clichés.
Provides no representation or engagement with disability narratives.

Official Synopsis

The movie follows a group of teenagers that are terrorized by an evil spirit. The film revolves around the traditional Filipino belief that one should never go home directly after visiting a wake since it risks bringing evil spirits or the deceased to one's home.

How are these scores produced? →