‘The Kingdom’ never provides a satisfying answer to what the Philippines would be like if it was uncolonized. What we end up here is a film that inspires the imagination, but would rather settle for a world that is a mere reflection of our own.

Instead of opting for a straightforward depiction of the infamous case of the Philippines’ first documented serial killer, Mallari chooses a wild, albeit frustratingly complex, yet enjoyably ambitious approach that may or may not impress you.