Kuman Thong (film) explained

Kuman Thong (also known as Kuman Thong: Black Magic Baby) is a 2024 Philippine horror drama film written and directed by Xian Lim co-written by Iris Lee.^[2] It stars Filipino actresses Cindy Miranda, Althea Ruedas and Thai actor Max Nattapol. The film is about a mother who loses her son in a tragedy and she wanted to bring him back.

Synopsis

A mother resorts to a Kuman Thong statue in a bid to revive her deceased son, however things did not go as intended.

Cast

• Cindy Miranda as a mother who turns to Kuman Thong to revive her dead son.^[3]
• Max Nattapol^[4]
• Althea Ruedas
• Jariya Therakaosal
• Emman Esquivel

Production

April 2, 2024, in an Instagram post Xian Lim posted a teaser of his new film project.^[5] The film was written and directed by Lim and his girlfriend Iris Lee was one of the producers of the film.^[6] The film Kuman Thong would be the third project for Lim as a director who is more known as an actor. It is also his first directorial horror film credit.^[7]

The film was shot entirely in Thailand in Bangkok and Ayutthaya.^{[6] [8]} Principal photography took place from April 28 to May 6, 2024.^[4]

The film is based on the Kuman Thong of Thai folk religion, which are artifacts made from stillborn babies and is believed to bring good luck to its owners if properly venerated. Lim compared the Kuman Thong to the tiyanak in the Philippines which are inherently malevolent as opposed to the former.^{[9] [10]}

Release

The film was released in the Philippines on July 3, 2024, under Viva Films.^[11]

Reception

The movie received a score of 45/100 from 8 reviews according to review aggregator website Kritikultura, indicating a mixed reception.^[12]

Notes and References

1. News: Bonoan . Reggee . Xian Lim laging kasama ang dyowang si Iris Lee, partner rin sa trabaho . Xian Lim always together with his girlfriend Iris Lee, also partners in work . . May 6, 2024 . June 19, 2024.
2. News: Xian Lim-directed film 'Kuman Thong' unveils official trailer . . June 19, 2024 . June 19, 2024.
3. News: Pasajol . Anne . Xian Lim, Iris Lee are co-writers of new film 'Kuman Thong' . 20 June 2024 . Philippine Daily Inquirer . 18 June 2024 . en.
4. News: Gabinete . Jojo . Thai star Max Nattapol Diloknawarit, bida sa pelikula ni Xian Lim . Thai star Max Nattapol Diloknawarit, stars in Xian Lim's film. 20 June 2024 . PEP.ph . Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. . fil. 6 May 2024.
5. News: Xian Lim working on new film as writer-director . . April 2, 2024 . June 19, 2024.
6. News: Xian Lim-directed film 'Kuman Thong' unveils official trailer . . June 19, 2024 . June 19, 2024.
7. News: Gabinete . Jojo . Xian Lim inspired sa paggawa ng horror film Kuman Thong . Xian Lim inspired in making the horror film Kuman Thong . 20 June 2024 . PEP.ph . Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. . 17 June 2024.
8. News: Almo . Nherz . Cindy Miranda, inilarawan si Xian Lim bilang 'cool' and 'hands-on' director ng 'Kuman Thong'. Cindy Miranda, describes Xian Lim as a 'cool' and 'hands-on' director for 'Kuman Thong' . 20 June 2024 . GMA Entertainment . 20 June 2024 . fil.
9. Web site: Mendoza . Ruel . Xian, pinag-aralan ang Thai mythology . Xian, studied the Thai mythology . Pang-Masa . . May 7, 2024 . June 19, 2024.
10. News: Gonzales . Joseph Peter . Xian Lim directs horror film 'Kuman Thong' in Thailand . 20 June 2024 . Manila Standard . 1 April 2024.
11. News: Gabinete . Jojo . Xian Lim inspired sa paggawa ng horror film Kuman Thong . Xian Lim inspired in making the horror film Kuman Thong . 20 June 2024 . PEP.ph . Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. . 17 June 2024.
12. Web site: Kuman Thong (2024) reviews . Kritikultura . July 8, 2024.