LET ME IN

KISAPMATA by Mike de Leon

Dadong Carandang (Silayan), a retired police officer, is the domineering father of Mila (Santos), and he is extremely jealous of the latter’s suitors, never allowing them into the house. One day, Mila falls in love with Noel Manalansan (Ilagan) and they decide to seek Dadong’s permission to get married. Mila finds out she is pregnant. Dadong agrees on the condition that Noel pay ridiculously costly dowry as well as shoulder a luxurious wedding. Noel agrees and works hard to meet Dadong’s demands.

After the wedding, Dadong insists that the couple stay in his house. Despite protestations by the couple, they acquiesce. The couple is not allowed to sleep together for various reasons, i.e., that Mila’s mother Dely (Solis) is sick and Mila needs comfort her through the night.

After several months of living in this misery, the couple decided to escape. They were hunted by Dadong, to no avail. One day Dadong changes his tactic and makes some compromises to bring them back. Eventually, the couple decided to go back to Dadong’s house, but only to gather their belongings. Dadong pleads with Mila not to leave as it is revealed that he has been carrying out an incestuous relationship with his daughter all along, and the baby is his. When Mila and Noel stand firm on leaving, Dadong is driven to desperation and brings out his gun, shooting Dely, Noel, and then finally, Mila. Seeing to no longer consume himself in such obsession, he shoots himself.