Balaraw: Blood Island Review: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Balaraw: Blood Island is a well-made, quick watch that blends vampire horror, mystery, and a loving family story. Its likable characters and fresh Filipino folk horror touch make it a strong pick for Halloween week.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Platform: Netflix
Genre: Horror Mystery
Director: Rae Red
Writers: Rae Red, Jericho Aguado, Dodo Dayao
Cast: Janine Gutierrez, Agot Isidro, Charlie Dizon, Ronnie Lazaro
Episodes: 6
Language: Filipino
If you have never watched a Filipino horror series, Balaraw: Blood Island is a nice place to start. It arrives on Netflix on October 29, 2026, and it has a perfect mix for the spooky season: a mysterious island, a missing mother, and a dark secret that keeps growing as the episodes go on.
The story follows Sabina, played by Janine Gutierrez. Four years ago, her mother Rebecca, played by Agot Isidro, vanished in the middle of a meal. Before that day, Rebecca had been acting strange and asking Sabina about her dreams. Since then, Sabina has put everything into finding her. She has lost her job and spent her last paycheck on a private investigator.
Just when she is about to run out of options, a clue appears. It points to an uncharted place called Balaraw Island, where her mother supposedly went on the day she disappeared. Sabina goes there, and she quickly learns it is unlike anything she has ever known.
With a name like Blood Island, you can guess there is a vampire story hiding in here. The series does not hide it for long, and the clues are clear before the first episode ends. Still, the slow reveal of what is really going on is a big part of the fun, and the island has plenty of creepy surprises.
What makes the series stand out is how much it cares about its characters. Sabina is not alone. Her loving girlfriend Bulak, played by Charlie Dizon, stays by her side, even as she grows worried about Sabina’s state of mind. Their bond keeps the story grounded and gives it a warm center.
Her uncle Arturo, played by Ronnie Lazaro, also joins the search. He is her mother’s brother, and he seems to know more than he admits. As Sabina uncovers clues she was never meant to find, she also uncovers hidden secrets within her own family.
That focus on family, both by blood and by choice, makes the horror feel more personal. When you care about the people on screen, every danger hits harder. If you liked the emotional pull of a mother and daughter story, you might also enjoy our review of The Gift of Deceit, which looks at a very different and much more toxic bond.
Vampire stories are everywhere, but this one uses Filipino folk horror to give the idea a new feel. It is still easy for a global audience to follow, yet it has its own flavour. The island, the strange rituals, and the unsettling details all help the series feel different from many other Netflix releases.
It is also nice to see a queer lead in a horror story where it is simply a normal part of her life. Sabina’s relationship is not the plot’s big twist or the source of its drama. It is just part of who she is, and that makes her feel like a full, believable person.
The production quality is strong, and the series looks gorgeous. With only six episodes, it moves at a good speed and never drags. It is short enough to fit into a weekend, and it could easily be part of your Halloween watchlist.
One tip from the critic: the spoken language mixes in English, so you may enjoy it more in the original audio with subtitles than in a dubbed version.
Balaraw: Blood Island is a dark adventure with a lot of heart. It is well made, easy to watch, and different enough to feel fresh. If you like horror mysteries with real emotion, this is worth your time.
If you want something lighter after the scares, our Drive: The Pretenders review covers a fake engagement and a racing star in a love story that never quite leaves the starting line.