“SANA: Let Me Hear,” a horror film by Takashi Shimizu, unleashes a deadly curse tied to a tragic past

GET ready for a spine-chilling cinematic experience as the latest horror film, “SANA: Let Me Hear,” directed by Takashi Shimizu (the visionary behind “Ju-On”), hits Philippine cinemas this November 13.

This eerie tale intertwines tragedy and terror, following a group of people caught in the clutches of a deadly curse that has resurfaced after decades. Starring Nagisa Shibuya, Ikoi Hayase, and Soma Santoki, “SANA: Let Me Hear” will leave you questioning the thin line between reality and nightmare.

In 1992, a middle school student plunged to her death in front of her classmates, creating a curse that has lain dormant ever since. But during the summer of 2024, this dark history reawakens, targeting those linked to that fateful day. Will they survive long enough to uncover the truth?

Let’s meet the key characters fighting to escape their tragic fate:

NMB48 idol Nagisa Shibuya as Honoka

Honoka, the film’s protagonist, is a newly hired summer school teacher at the same middle school where tragedy struck decades ago. History repeats itself when she witnesses a student’s untimely fall, eerily reminiscent of the events from 1992. Desperate to uncover the mystery, she teams up with her students, Hitomi and Takeru, to chase the horror that’s now chasing them.

Nagisa Shibuya, an idol and captain of NMB48’s Team M, takes on the role of Honoka. Shibuya is known for her performances in sub-units Queentet and Tentoumu Chu!, and was formerly a member of AKB48’s Team 4.

Ikoi Hayase as Hitomi

Hitomi is one of Honoka’s students and a witness to the tragedy that unfolds during their summer classes. She’s also among the first to encounter Sana, a mysterious yet seemingly friendly new classmate. As strange events begin to unravel, Hitomi takes it upon herself to investigate the death and its eerie connection to the incident 32 years ago.

Played by Ikoi Hayase, Hitomi’s character will resonate with fans who enjoyed Hayase’s previous work in the lead role of Takumi Asa in “Worlds Apart” and the romantic comedy series “Teasing Master Takagi-san.”

Soma Santoki as Takeru

Takeru, another of Honoka’s students, is drawn into the unfolding nightmare after witnessing the horrific accident. Alongside Hitomi, he dives deeper into the past, uncovering shocking connections between the tragedy and their own lives. Will their search for answers save them, or lead them further into the curse?

Soma Santoki, who recently voiced the lead in Studio Ghibli’s “The Boy and the Heron,” steps into the role of Takeru, bringing intensity and emotion to this chilling horror tale.

Sana is the enigmatic figure at the center of it all. While she appears to be an ordinary student, the curse seems to orbit around her presence. As terrifying events begin to escalate, Sana’s true nature becomes a haunting question that Honoka, Hitomi, and Takeru must answer before it’s too late.

Prepare yourself for a pulse-pounding ride into fear when “SANA: Let Me Hear” opens in Philippine theaters on November 13. With Takashi Shimizu’s signature horror style and a talented cast, this film promises to deliver relentless suspense, shocking twists, and a lingering sense of dread.

Follow Encore Films PH on Facebook and @encorefilmsph on Instagram to stay up to date with all the latest news about this highly anticipated horror film.

(ROHN ROMULO)