Of the Flesh Poster

Of the Flesh 1983

★ 6.610 votes123 min📅 1983-12-25

"The way of all flesh. The root of all evil."

Marilou Diaz-Abaya's 1983 drama-horror hybrid *Of the Flesh* plunges viewers into the sweltering moral decay of a 1930s Philippine town, where secrets fester beneath the surface of everyday life.

Director: Marilou Diaz-Abaya

Cast

Charito Solis
Charito Solis
Storyteller
Phillip Salvador
Phillip Salvador
Narcing
Vic Silayan
Vic Silayan
Gusting
Cecille Castillo
Puring
Joel Torre
Joel Torre
Goryo
Grace Amilbangsa
Doray
Pen Medina
Pen Medina
Menardo
Joonee Gamboa
Joonee Gamboa
Pekto
Rolando Tinio
Bino
Ella Luansing
Suling

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Of the Flesh (1983) about?

*Of the Flesh* follows Narcing's return to Mulawin with his wife Puring, igniting a chain of family destruction rooted in jealousy and moral decay. The film weaves together parricide, adultery, and guilt as a small community's veneer of civility cracks under pressure. Ultimately, it's a story of how past sins demand reckoning, no matter the cost.

Who directed Of the Flesh?

The film was helmed by the acclaimed Filipino director Marilou Diaz-Abaya, known for her evocative storytelling and sharp social commentary.

Who stars in Of the Flesh?

The film features standout performances from Charito Solis, Phillip Salvador, Vic Silayan, Cecille Castillo, and Joel Torre.

Is Of the Flesh (1983) worth watching?

Though unrated on IMDb, *Of the Flesh* delivers a gripping exploration of drama and horror that lingers long after the credits. Its blend of familial tension and gothic atmosphere makes it a compelling watch for fans of Filipino cinema and slow-burn thrillers.

How long is Of the Flesh?

The film runs for 123 minutes, offering a dense, immersive experience perfect for a single sitting.

🎥 Trailer

Of the Flesh (1983): A Filipino Horror-Drama Uncovering Dark Family Secrets

Marilou Diaz-Abaya's 1983 drama-horror hybrid *Of the Flesh* plunges viewers into the sweltering moral decay of a 1930s Philippine town, where secrets fester beneath the surface of everyday life. When Narcing brings his wife Puring to their rural hometown of Mulawin, their arrival stirs a toxic brew of family strife, forbidden desire, and violent retribution. As parricide, infidelity, and betrayal unravel, the film explores guilt's suffocating grip and the fragile path to redemption in a world where tradition and taboo blur into corruption.

A masterclass in atmospheric storytelling, *Of the Flesh (1983)* blends gothic dread with raw emotional intensity, anchored by Diaz-Abaya's unflinching direction. The haunting performances of Charito Solis and Phillip Salvador anchor a narrative that lingers like a shadow, leaving audiences to grapple with the film's chilling meditation on the 'root of all evil'—human nature itself.