Children of the River (2019): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
Children of the River is a 2019 drama directed by Maricel Cariaga, starring Jay Manalo, Noel Comia Jr. and Junyka Santarin. It earned $575,179 worldwide. Its Echo Score is 34/100.
- Released
- Director
- Maricel Cariaga
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
Tagalog - Studio
- Cinemalaya Foundation
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Children of the River About?
The premise of Children of the River without spoilers.
A young boy and his three friends navigate the challenges of daily life, struggling with personal hardships and supporting their families while their fathers are absent. They eagerly await a daily phone call, a source of connection and hope. However, when that call unexpectedly stops, their fragile sense of normalcy is shattered, forcing them to confront a difficult reality and an uncertain future.
Children of the River Cast
Jay Manalo leads the cast, with Noel Comia Jr. and Junyka Santarin. Directed by Maricel Cariaga; 11 actors are credited in all.
- Director Maricel Cariaga
Also Starring in Children of the River
· 7 moreChildren of the River Reviews & Ratings
Our Echo Score gives it 34/100, strongest in character & emotion (45) and weakest in rewatch factor (30).
Children of the River Echo Score Breakdown
Children of the River delivers a largely unsatisfying horror experience, hindered by thin storytelling and uneven execution. Critics and viewers note a lack of genuine scares, inconsistent tone, and underdeveloped thematic depth. While a few performances provide brief highlights, they are insufficient to elevate the film. The film’s visual and auditory design offer little innovation, further limiting its appeal. Overall, the lack of cohesion renders it a poor addition to the franchise.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 30
The film’s direction and production elements feel uninspired, with a reliance on generic horror tropes rather than distinct visual storytelling. Critics highlight unintentionally humorous scares and a lazy execution that undermines tension. Users echo the sentiment, noting subpar CGI and inconsistent editing. Consequently, the overall art and craft score reflects a deficient technical execution.
- Character & Emotion 45
Acting presents a mixed picture, with Kate Moyer’s chilling portrayal and Elena Kampouris delivering the few moments of credibility noted by reviewers. Conversely, many critics and users describe the child ensemble as overacting, annoying, and lacking nuance, while adult characters receive little development. This uneven performance landscape results in a modest character and emotion rating.
- Story & Flow 35
Narrative cohesion suffers throughout, as reviewers point to a thin premise, predictable pacing, and an underdeveloped central conflict. The film attempts to blend folk horror with a supernatural monster, but critics find the integration clumsy and the climax unsatisfying. Audience comments reinforce this view, describing the plot as bland and far‑fetched. Overall, the story dimension receives a low to moderate rating.
- Sensory Experience 30
Auditory and visual components provide little distinction, with a soundtrack that fails to heighten tension and sound design that remains generic. Critics remark on unintentionally funny scares and subpar CGI, while users note the visual effects as disappointing. The lack of stylistic flair contributes to an overall sensory experience that feels bland and forgettable.
- Rewatch Factor 30
Replay value is limited, as the film offers few memorable moments and its novelty quickly fades. While a small segment of franchise fans may appreciate occasional performances, most reviewers find the movie neither scary nor entertaining enough for repeat viewings. Consequently, the rewatch factor is low, reflecting its minimal lasting appeal.
Children of the River Box Office
Children of the River grossed $575,179 worldwide. $325,583 came from the US and Canada and $249,596 (43%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$575.2K
- US & Canada
- $325.6K
- International
- $249.6K
Seen Children of the River?
Children of the River FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Release Date
Release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of Children of the River, each answered in a sentence.
When was Children of the River released?
Children of the River was released on August 2, 2019.
Who directed Children of the River?
Children of the River was directed by Maricel Cariaga.
Who is in the cast of Children of the River?
Children of the River stars Jay Manalo, Noel Comia Jr. and Junyka Santarin, among 11 credited actors.
How much did Children of the River make at the box office?
Children of the River grossed $575,179 worldwide ($325,583 domestic, $249,596 international).
Does Children of the River have a post-credit scene?
No. Children of the River has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Children of the River in?
The original language of Children of the River is Tagalog.
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