Blood Thirst

New York detective Adam Rourke arrives in Manila to aid Inspector Miguel Ramos with a string of murders in which young women have been drained of blood. He senses the case may involve a homicidal killer or a cult-like operation. The arrival marks the start of his undercover effort to pursue Maria Cortez's fate.

Adam adopts a writer persona and goes to the Barrio Club to pursue the story of Maria Cortez, a hostess there. He watches Serena perform and discusses the investigation with Calderone, treating the club as the likely center of the crimes. The club becomes a hub of secrets and danger.

That night, Adam converses with Calderone about the article while keeping watch over the club. His growing suspicion toward Calderone strengthens, though the killer's identity remains uncertain.

Back at his hotel, Adam defends himself against an attacker and kills the intruder in self-defense. The killing draws police attention and introduces Herrera, a undercover officer with a prosthetic leg, who stops him in disguise.

Herrera reveals himself as Adam's police liaison and explains that he will help manage the undercover operation. He warns Adam to stay aligned with the plan and avoid exposing the setup.

Sylvia, Miguel's adopted sister, drives Adam into the countryside and dumps him there, accusing him of not taking the case seriously. She challenges his dedication and forces him to prove his commitment by walking back toward the hotel. The confrontation tests Adam's resolve.

As Adam walks toward his hotel, he sees Theresa arrive home drunk. Out of his sight, Theresa is attacked by a humanoid monster, confirming the killer's physical threat and linking the murders to the Barrio Club.

Back at the Barrio Club, Serena clutches her face and appears older as a result of the ritual. She tells Adam that Calderone is a maniac protecting a secret and introduces Louisa, a new hostess who is secretly Sylvia. Louisa notes armbands with Aztec or Inca origins, hinting at an ancient blood ritual at the heart of the killings.

Elena is kidnapped by the monster and taken to a secret chamber beneath the Barrio Club. The monster manipulates a bowl of Elena's blood while Sylvia sits nearby, about to witness a ritual that could sustain Serena's youth. The chamber becomes a focal point for the coming confrontation.

During the ritual, Serena sprinkles powder into Elena's blood and, when the smoke clears, is restored to youth. The scene demonstrates that Serena's beauty depends on draining other women's blood and performing the ancient ritual.

Serena lures Adam to her home and drugs him with a drink, weaving lies to justify Calderone's crimes. While Adam is unconscious, Sylvia discovers the secret chamber and is seized by the monster.

Adam is freed by one of Calderone's men and calls the police. He and Miguel hurry to the secret chamber to confront the monster and try to save Sylvia.

Miguel shoots the monster four times with little effect, and the creature begins to strangle them. Herrera intervenes with a strike of his artificial leg, bringing the beast down and ending the immediate threat. The revelation that Calderone is the killer becomes evident as the monster dies.

With the case solved, Adam kisses Sylvia goodbye and heads home to New York. The thread of the ancient blood ritual is closed as Calderone is revealed and defeated, and Adam resumes his life back in the city.