View source for Seklusyon


{{Italic title}}

{{Use Philippine English|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Seklusyon
| image          = SeklusyonPoster.jpg
| alt            = 
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Erik Matti]]
| producer       = {{ubl|Erik Matti|Ronald Stephen Monteverde}}
| writer         = Anton C. Santamaria
| based_on       = 
| starring       = {{plainlist|
*Rhed Bustamante
*[[Neil Ryan Sese]]
*[[Ronnie Alonte]]
*[[Lou Veloso]]
*Phoebe Walker
*[[Dominic Roque]]
*Elora Españo
*[[John Vic De Guzman]]
*JR Versales
*Jerry O'Hara
*Sherry Lara
*Teroy Guzman
}}
| music          = Francis de Veyra
| cinematography = Neil Bion
| editing        = Jay Halili
| studio         = {{plainlist|
*[[Reality Entertainment]] 
}}
| distributor    = 
| released       = {{Film date|2016|12|25}}
| runtime        = 90 minutes
| country        = Philippines
| language       = Filipino
| budget         = 
| gross          = {{Philippine peso|100 million}}<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.pep.ph/guide/movies/25477/will-erik-matti-be-directing-emdarnaem-this-2017|title=Will Erik Matti be directing Darna this 2017?|newspaper=Philippine Entertainment Portal|date=February 2, 2017}}</ref>
}}

'''''Seklusyon''''' ({{literal translation|Seclusion}}) is a 2016 Filipino [[Gothic film|Gothic]] [[supernatural horror film]] co-produced and directed by [[Erik Matti]]. The film is under the production of [[Reality Entertainment]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/11/18/16/here-are-the-films-competing-in-mmff-2016 |title=Here are the films competing in MMFF 2016 |date=November 18, 2016 |website=ABS-CBN News |access-date=October 5, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/152823-mmff-2016-entries-full-list |title=FULL LIST: 8 MMFF 2016 entries, trailers revealed |date=November 18, 2016 |website=Rappler.com |access-date=October 5, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/11/18/16/trailers-photos-get-to-know-this-years-mmff-entries |title=Trailers, photos: Get to know this year's MMFF entries |date=November 18, 2016 |website=ABS-CBN News |access-date=October 5, 2019}}</ref> It stars Rhed Bustamante, [[Neil Ryan Sese]], [[Ronnie Alonte]], [[Lou Veloso]], Phoebe Walker, [[Dominic Roque]], Elora Españo, [[John Vic De Guzman]], JR Versales, Jerry O'Hara, Sherry Lara and Teroy Guzman. The film follows a group of deacons who undergo a week of [[seclusion]] in a remote monastery, where a mysterious girl's supposed miracles test their faith and reveal hidden evils.

The film is Erik Matti's third MMFF entry in recent years after his 2014 film ''[[Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2]]'', and 2015 film ''[[Honor Thy Father (film)|Honor Thy Father]]'' which was the subject of controversy that year when it was disqualified from the "Best Picture" category of the festival's award.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/153585-erik-matti-seklusyon-trailer-mmff-2016|title=[WATCH] MMFF 2016: 'Seklusyon' trailer released|newspaper=Rappler|access-date=December 3, 2016}}</ref> It is an official entry to the [[2016 Metro Manila Film Festival]], where it won 9 categories, including "Best Director" award for Erik Matti.

==Plot==
In 1947, Padre Ricardo arrives at a [[Palengke|marketplace]] to investigate people whose ailments were miraculously healed by a child named Anghela Santa Ana, who is assisted by a mysterious nun, Sister Cecilia. Ricardo becomes suspicious of Anghela's powers as every time she heals someone, a black liquid drips from her mouth.

Miguel, a [[deacon]], arrives at a monastery and meets Sandoval, a former priest who was [[Excommunication in the Catholic Church|excommunicated]]. Sandoval tells him about an old custom where temporary deacons and aspiring priests are sequestered at the very end of their training, as it is believed in the last seven days they are most vulnerable to demonic influence. While in seclusion, Miguel meets his fellow deacons, Carlo, Fabián, and Marco.

While in a church, Padre Ricardo discovers a bloodied Anghela, her parents having been murdered. The local bishop orders that Anghela and Sister Cecilia be housed in the same monastery as the secluded deacons, despite Ricardo's protests due to his suspicions of Sister Cecilia. However, the bishop allows Ricardo to continue his investigation. Sandoval at first refuses to let Anghela and Sister Cecilia stay, saying they will disturb the deacons’ training, but later begrudgingly agrees when told the bishop orders their stay. Anghela uses her powers to make their bread edible again after it had gone moldy and stale, as well as turning [[Wedding at Cana|tap water into wine]]. The deacons, except Miguel, are amazed by her powers, deeming them miraculous.

During their stay, the deacons are plagued by recurring nightmares based on their sins: Marco's [[gluttony]] caused his siblings to die from starvation in the recently ended [[Second World War]]; Fabián's entry into the priesthood was his escape from a physically abusive mother; and Miguel is taunted by his dead ex-lover, Erina, in a grotesque form of  [[Our Lady of Sorrows]]. One night, Anghela goes to the kitchen to ask Sandoval for food and water, and later on, discusses his excommunication. As Anghela convinces him that he was innocent of his sins, Sandoval departs the next morning, thanking the girl and leaving the deacons under her charge.

In the course of his investigation, Padre Ricardo arrives at a convent to question its [[Abbess|Mother Superior]] about Sister Cecilia. Despite her rudeness, the Mother Superior willingly gives him Cecilia's records, but warns him to stop investigating and never return. The records state that Cecilia was gang raped during the War, and part of her face was burned. She later became Anghela's teacher; it is implied that Anghela healed her wounds. He also discovers that Anghela was raised in an orphanage and was adopted. To Ricardo's surprise, one document appeared to have the name "NgaHela" written on it, an [[anagram]] of “Anghela” and is said to be the name of the [[Devil]] incarnate. The document further explains that Anghela's healing and miraculous powers come not from God, but the Devil. With this evidence of Anghela as a [[false prophet]] and Cecilia being one of her minions, Ricardo visits the bishop to warn him of Anghela's true nature, but at the same moment, Sandoval bursts into the room and shoots the bishop dead. He informs a shocked Ricardo about Anghela's whereabouts and that she is waiting for him.

As the deacons finish their training, Anghela convinces them to redeem themselves from their sins by feeding their vices, sometimes using Sister Cecilia as a pawn for her schemes. Marco indulges his gluttony; Fabián is revealed to be abusive towards women due to the abuse he received from his mother; while Carlo is shown to be a pedophile. During a [[Black Mass]] held by Anghela in the monastery chapel, Miguel unsuccessfully tries to convince the other deacons that she must not be trusted. He angrily denounces Anghela a false prophet and runs into the woods, where he is followed by Anghela, Cecilia, and the three deacons. During the chase, Miguel trips and is knocked unconscious. A flashback shows Miguel's relationship with Erina, whom he left pregnant with their child to enter the priesthood. Betrayed and heartbroken, Erina [[Suicide by hanging|hanged herself]] after giving birth. Anghela sees Miguel and heals his head wound, and on waking he realizes she is his daughter. At the chapel, Anghela resumes her satanic liturgy and has the four deacons drink from a chalice filled with the black liquid. Miguel does so, but is still doubtful.

Padre Ricardo finally confronts Anghela and tries to [[Exorcism|exorcise]] her, only to be burned to death by her powers. Miguel seizes Anghela, takes her to the chapel, and barricades the door. There, Anghela reveals herself as the demon NgaHela, who plots to control the [[Catholic Church]]; those whom she has healed become her disciples and worshippers. As Sister Cecilia and the three deacons try to break down the door, Miguel grabs a knife and stabs Anghela several times. Black liquid drips out from her mouth as she slowly dies, while Miguel escapes, never to be seen again. 

The film ends with Fabián, Carlo, and Marco being [[Holy orders in the Catholic Church|ordained]] to the priesthood by a new bishop, who is unaware they were consecrated not to God, but the Devil.

==Cast==
[[File:Seklusyon cast with director Erik Matti.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The cast of ''Seklusyon'' with director [[Erik Matti]] (''middle'').]]
{{Div col}}
*[[Ronnie Alonte]] as Miguel
* [[Rhed Bustamante]] as Anghela Santa Ana/ Anghela
* [[Neil Ryan Sese]] as Father Ricardo
* [[Lou Veloso]] as Sandoval
* Phoebe Walker as Sister Cecilia
* [[Dominic Roque]] as Fabián
* Elora Españo as Erina
* [[John Vic De Guzman]] as Marco
* JR Versales as Carlo
* Teroy Guzman as Father Francisco
* Jerry O'Hara as Obispo
* Sherry Lara as Mother Superior
{{div col end}}

==Production==
The production team of ''Seklusyon'' avoided special effects to make the film as realistic as possible. 

Touch hubs were used, but no computer-generated characters were used for the film.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bonoan|first1=Reggee|title='Seklusyon' ni Erik Matti hindi ginamitan ng special effects|url=http://bandera.inquirer.net/138893/seklusyon-ni-erik-matti-hindi-ginamitan-ng-special-effects|accessdate=January 2, 2017|work=Bandera|date=December 8, 2016|language=Filipino|trans-title=No special effect used in Erik Matti's 'Seklusyon'}}</ref>

==Reception==
Jill Tan Radovan of [[News5|Interaksyon.com]] writes, "''Seklusyon'' succeeds at being the ‘real horror movie’ that its creators—[[Reality Entertainment]] and [[Erik Matti|Eric Matti]] {{sic}}—intended it to be [...] Taken literally, it sends goosebumps up one’s spine."<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.interaksyon.com/entertainment/review-seklusyon-depicts-evil-in-most-charming-form/ |title=REVIEW: 'Seklusyon' depicts evil in most charming form |author=Radovan, Jill Tan |website=interaksyon.com |date=December 26, 2016 |accessdate=December 26, 2016 |archive-date=December 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226215555/http://www.interaksyon.com/entertainment/review-seklusyon-depicts-evil-in-most-charming-form/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Mari-an Santos for [[Philippine Entertainment Portal]] writes, "The undeniable Erik Matti ending makes [''Seklusyon''] worth the time, making audiences think and see the world outside with a new set of eyes."<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.pep.ph/guide/mmff/25281/mmff-2016-review-emseklusyonem-is-a-chilling-look-at-the-nature-of-evil |title=MMFF 2016 REVIEW: Ronnie Alonte gets chilling look at the nature of evil in Seklusyon |author=Santos, Mari-an |publisher=Philippine Entertainment Portal |date=December 25, 2016 |accessdate=December 27, 2016}}</ref> 

[[Clarence Tsui]] for ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' writes, “''Seclusion'' drips with a ferocity about how false messiahs manipulate meek minds who, as the film's finale suggests, then propel even more malicious pretenders onto the pedestals of power. The film is Matti's call for an awakening, and it certainly stirs with spine-tingling moments aplenty."<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/seclusion-seklusyon-film-review-macau-2016-955609 |title='Seclusion' ('Seklusyon'): Film Review - Macau 2016 |last=Tsui |first=Clarence |author-link=Clarence Tsui |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=December 14, 2016 |accessdate=December 26, 2016}}</ref>

Oggs Cruz of [[Rappler]] gave a balanced review. While praising the film as being "immensely intriguing" and "curiously elegant", he feels that the  screenplay is awkwardly paced and [[Ronnie Alonte]]'s performance was wanting.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.rappler.com/entertainment/movies/157152-seklusyon-movie-review-erik-matti-ronnie-alonte |title='Seklusyon' Review: Unsubtle provocation |author=Cruz, Oggs|work=Rappler |date=January 1, 2017 |accessdate=January 1, 2017}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of ghost films]]

==Accolades==
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan=6 style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Awards
|-
! Year
! Award
! Category
! Recipient(s)
! Outcome
|-
| rowspan="14"|2016 
|rowspan="14"|[[2016 Metro Manila Film Festival|42nd Metro Manila Film Festival]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Winners at MMFF's Gabi Ng Parangal night|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/594086/lifestyle/artandculture/winners-at-mmff-s-gabi-ng-parangal |work=[[GMA News]] |date=December 29, 2016 |accessdate=December 29, 2016}}</ref>
| Best Director
|[[Erik Matti]]
|{{won}}
|-
| Best Child Actress
|Rhed Bustamante
|{{nominated}}
|-
|Best Supporting Actress
|Phoebe Walker
|{{won}}
|-
|Best Supporting Actor
|[[Lou Veloso]]
|{{nominated}}
|-
|Best Cinematography
|Neil Bion
|{{won}}
|-
|Best Screenplay
|Anton Santamaria
|{{won}}
|-
|Best Sound Design
|Albert Michael Idioma & Lamberto Casas Jr.
|{{won}}
|-
|Best Production Design
|Ericson Navarro
|{{won}}
|-
|Best Editing
|Jay Halili
|{{nom}}
|-
|Best Musical Score
|Francis de Veyra
|{{nominated}}
|-
|Best Original Theme Song
|"''Dominus Miserere''" by Francis De Veyra
|{{won}}
|-
|Special Jury Prize
|Rhed Bustamante
|{{won}}
|-
|Male Celebrity of the Night
|[[Ronnie Alonte]]
|{{won}}
|}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb title|6271180|Seklusyon}}

{{Erik Matti}}
{{MMFF}}

[[Category:2016 films]]
[[Category:2010s supernatural horror films]]
[[Category:2016 horror thriller films]]
[[Category:Films set in 1947]]
[[Category:Philippine horror films]]
[[Category:Philippine thriller films]]
[[Category:Religious horror films]]
[[Category:Gothic horror films]]
[[Category:Reality Entertainment films]]
[[Category:Demons in film]]
[[Category:The Devil in film]]
[[Category:Films about Satanism]]
[[Category:Films about cults]]
[[Category:Witchcraft in Philippine films]]
[[Category:Philippine ghost films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Erik Matti]]
[[Category:Films produced by Ronald "Dondon" Monteverde]]

{{Wikipedia attribution|original_title=Seklusyon|access_date=2026-03-05}}