Deleter

Deleter is a 2022 Philippine screenlife psychological horror thriller film directed by Mikhail Red, starring Nadine Lustre, Louise delos Reyes, McCoy de Leon, and Jeffrey Hidalgo. It was released theatrically on December 25, 2022 as an entry to the 2022 Metro Manila Film Festival.^[3]

Float parade

Deleter
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Mikhail Red[1]
Written by	Mikhail Red Nikolas Red
Produced by	Mikhail Red Vicente G. del Rosario III Veronique del Rosario-Corpus Vicente Del Rosario Jr.
Starring	Nadine Lustre Louise delos Reyes McCoy de Leon Jeffrey Hidalgo
Cinematography	Ian Alexander Guevara
Edited by	Nikolas Red
Music by	Myka Magsaysay-Sigua Paul Sigua
Production companies	Pelikula Red Top Story
Distributed by	Viva Films
Release dates	December 25, 2022 (2022-12-25) (GRIMMFEST) October 5, 2023 (2023-10-5) (Manchester)
Running time	93 minutes
Country	Philippines
Language	Filipino
Box office	₱270 million[2]

Plot summary

The film follows Lyra, who works shifts at a shadowy online content moderation office where employees, known as deleters, are tasked with the process of filtering graphic uploads from reaching social media platforms. The responsibility of censorship proves bearable for Lyra, whom her co-workers, as well as her boss Simon, observe as a cold person unfazed by the disturbing imagery she sees on a daily basis. What they do not know is that Lyra hides a deep trauma. Lyra’s attempt to erase and forget her past has forced her to maintain an apathetic face to the horrors of the world.^[4][5]

Cast

Main

• Nadine Lustre as Lyra^[6]
• Louise delos Reyes as Aileen^[7]
• McCoy de Leon as Jace^[7]
• Jeffrey Hidalgo as Simon^[8]

Supporting

• Sarah Jane Abad as The Grey Woman
• Billy Villeta as Axel
• Madelaine Red as Gossiping Co-worker
• Elia Ilano as young Lyra
• Kedebon Colim as Store Attendant
• Keiko Fox as Sheka
• Charo Laude as Armi
• Matthew Francisco as Benru
• Nic Galvez as Gossiping Co-worker
• Bombi Plata as Lyra's father
• Erica Zerna as Lyra's mother / Crowd
• JC Martin as Jace's Co-worker

Production

Development

Deleter was reported to be the first collaboration between Mikhail Red and Viva Films.^[9] Red worked on the Philippines' reputation being the "content moderation capital of the world" as well as the mental health and working conditions of content moderators for the story of Deleter.^[10]

Filming

Filming began in July 2022^[2] amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and hence the usual COVID-19 protocols was observed.^[9] Only a few filming locations was utilized to simulate a "claustrophobic environment".^[9]

Release

Deleter premiered in cinemas in the Philippines on December 25, 2022 as one of the eight entries of the 2022 Metro Manila Film Festival.^[11] However the film was not originally intended made specifically for the film festival.^[2]

The film was also released internationally. It premiered in the United States on January 6, 2023 and is set to be released in the United Arab Emirates on January 12, 2023.^[12][13]

Accolades

Cast of Deleter at the Gabi ng Parangal of the 2022 Metro Manila Film Festival.

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination

Award ceremony	Year	Category	Nominee	Result	Ref.
Metro Manila Film Festival	2022	Best Picture	Deleter	Won	[14]
		Best Director	Mikhail Red	Won	[15]
		Best Actress	Nadine Lustre	Won	[16]
		Best Supporting Actress	Louise delos Reyes	Nominated	[17]
		Best Cinematography	Ian Alexander Guevarra	Won	[18]
		Best Editing	Nikolas Red	Won	[19]
		Best Production Design	Mark Jayson Jose	Nominated	[17]
		Best Sound	Deleter	Won	[18]
		Best Musical Score	Myka Magsaysay-Sigua, Paul Sigua	Nominated	[17]
		Best Visual Effects	Gaspar Mangalin	Won	[18]
		Star of the Night	Nadine Lustre	Won
		Gender Sensitivity Award	Deleter	Nominated	[17]
FAMAS Award	2023	Best Picture	Deleter	Nominated	[20][21]
		Best Director	Mikhail Red	Nominated
		Best Supporting Actress	Louise delos Reyes	Nominated
		Best Screenplay	Mikhail Red, Nikolas Red	Nominated
		Best Editing	Nikolas Red	Nominated
		Best Cinematography	Ian Alexander Guevarra	Nominated
		Best Musical Score	Myka Magsaysay-Sigua, Paul Sigua	Nominated
		Best Sound	Deleter	Nominated
Luna Award	2023	Best Director	Mikhail Red	Won	[22]
Grimmfest		Best Scare Award	Deleter	Won	[23]

Reception

Box office

According to unofficial figures obtained by PEP.ph, Deleter has reportedly earned ₱10 million on the first day of the 2022 Metro Manila Film Festival, becoming the film with the second biggest opening for any entries that day.^[24] Three days after its released, the film has grossed more than ₱58 million.^[25] By the end of the year, Ogie Diaz, a showbiz columnist and talent manager reported that Deleter earned ₱126 million making it the top grossing film among the entries.^[26] On January 8, 2023, the film maintained its top spot after already grossing ₱234 million.^[27] The following day, this figure rose to ₱270 million.^[2]