Philippine filmmaker Jerrold Tarog has signed on to helm CreaZion Studios’ “Knock Three Times,” a psychological horror feature, it was revealed at the Asia TV Forum and Market.
The film follows a young woman returning from rehab who discovers her mother has fallen under the influence of a malevolent antique mirror. The story draws from Filipino urban folklore, specifically a childhood ritual involving mirrors, candles and three knocks that serves as the narrative’s foundation.
The project, that earned finalist status at the ATF x EST N8 Horror Pitch 2025, marks a genre return for Tarog, whose credits include the psychological horror “Bliss” alongside historical epics “Heneral Luna,” “Goyo” and the recent “Quezon.”
“What excited me about ‘Knock Three Times’ is its emotional core,” Tarog said. “Horror is most powerful when grounded in human vulnerability, and this film explores how trauma opens doors – sometimes literally – to forces we can’t control.”
Filmmaker-producer Real Florido, who pitched the project at ATF Singapore, is producing alongside RJ Agustin. Florido cited a childhood experience during Manila’s frequent power outages as inspiration, recalling watching teenage girls perform a mirror ritual that ended when all their candles extinguished simultaneously.
“I see ‘Knock Three Times’ as an opportunity to merge Filipino folklore with a level of cinematic psychological tension that international audiences appreciate,” Tarog said. “It’s intimate, atmospheric, and built around a universal fear: what we might summon when we confront the things we’re not yet ready to face.”
CreaZion Studios is engaging with international distributors and investors following the ATF pitch. The company emphasized the film aligns with its mission to elevate Filipino stories for global audiences.
“It’s a film rooted in our culture, our memories, and our people, yet its themes of fear, family, and survival are universal,” said Agustin, who serves as CreaZion Studios’ president and CEO.