Grief often brings families together but it can also uncover beliefs and traditions that carry unexpected weight. In Filipino culture, rituals surrounding death are treated with deep respect, as they are believed to guide the soul and protect the living. But what happens when one of these rituals is forgotten?
When sorrow and belief collide, fear takes hold.
Viva Films presents Rosario, a new horror film from writer-director Roni S. Benaid, known for works like Poon, Mary Cherry Chua, Marita, and Nanay, Tatay. Drawing from deeply rooted Filipino traditions, the film explores how a single overlooked custom can spiral into something far more terrifying. Rosario arrives in cinemas on April 22.
In Filipino wake practices, placing a rosary inside a coffin is meant to help guide the soul to the afterlife. However, tradition warns that the rosary must be cut before burial. Failing to do so is said to bring misfortune—or worse, a relentless chain of death. This belief becomes the center of the nightmare that unfolds.
Beth, a devoted sister navigating a strained family dynamic, is forced to confront both grief and unresolved tensions when she reconnects with her estranged sister, Ave, following their mother’s death. As the family gathers to mourn, their deeply devout aunt performs the ritual of placing a rosary in the hands of the deceased. But in the haze of loss, they overlook one crucial step.
Soon after, unsettling events begin to unfold. A string of tragedies strikes the family, each more disturbing than the last. As fear grows, Beth and her siblings realize they may have triggered something far beyond their understanding. With time running out, they must find a way to break the curse before it claims them all.
The film stars Aubrey Caraan as Beth, alongside Yumi Garcia as Ave. Lance Carr plays Caleb, a figure from Beth’s past who returns to help, while Meg Imperial portrays Magda, the strong yet burdened eldest sibling. Jairus Aquino appears as James, the grounded and compassionate brother, and Suzette Ranillo takes on the role of Aunt Anne, whose actions unknowingly set the events into motion. Bernadette Allyson and Rose Van Ginkel also appear in key roles.
Rosario serves as a chilling reminder that some traditions are not meant to be forgotten—and that once broken, their consequences may be impossible to escape.
Catch Rosario in cinemas nationwide starting April 22.
