Watch Acacia Motel

Acacia Motel is a 2019 Filipino thriller movie starring JC Santos, Jan Bijvoet, and Agot Isidro. Directed by Samuel Gonzalez Jr., the film follows the story of a young couple who encounter strange and terrifying events while staying at the titular motel. The movie begins with a long shot of a deserted highway before a car pulls up to the Acacia Motel. The couple, played by Santos and Isidro, are tired and looking for a place to rest for the night. The motel is old and run-down, but it's the only option they have. They get a room, but as the night progresses, things start to get weird.

Strange noises start to come from the walls, and the couple finds themselves trapped in the room. They try to leave but discover that someone has disabled their car. They start to feel like they are being watched, and their paranoia grows as they uncover the secrets of the motel.

The owners of the motel, played by Bijvoet and Isidro, are a strange couple who seem to be hiding something. As the night progresses, the couple discovers that they are not alone in the motel. Other guests have also checked in, and they are all trapped and unable to leave.

The movie uses a slow-burn approach to build tension, with the first half focusing on atmospheric scares and the second half ratcheting up the tension to a nail-biting climax. The acting is superb, with Santos and Isidro putting in convincing performances as the couple who find themselves in a nightmare.

Bijvoet, known for his villainous roles in international productions like Peaky Blinders and 22 July, brings a sense of unease to the proceedings. His character is creepy and unpredictable, and you never quite know what he's up to. Isidro, one of the most acclaimed actresses in the Philippines, is also excellent as Bijvoet's enigmatic partner.

The cinematography is another strong suit of the movie, with the director making great use of the rundown motel and the surrounding wilderness to create an eerie and claustrophobic atmosphere. The color grading is muted, and the lighting is used to great effect, with shadows and darkness adding to the overall sense of foreboding.

The soundtrack is also noteworthy, with haunting music and sound design helping to ratchet up the tension. The movie is a masterclass in sound design, with the noises coming from the walls and doors contributing to the unsettling atmosphere.

Overall, Acacia Motel is a well-made and effective thriller that deserves more attention than it has received. The movie is a showcase for the talents of its cast and crew, and the slow-burn approach works wonders to create tension and suspense. Fans of atmospheric horror movies will definitely enjoy this one.

Acacia Motel is a 2020 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 3.6.