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The Microdrama Craze
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The one and only icon–Linda Walker who got a 719 in her college entrance exam! This microdrama follows Linda Walker, an impoverished but brilliant student who discovers that she is the long-lost heiress of the wealthy Lewis family. Instead of being dazzled by luxury or intimidated by the jealous fake heiress, Linda relies on her intelligence to outsmart those who try to undermine her.
POV: You find yourself in a marriage of convenience with a billionaire… What could go wrong (or right)? A Filipino drama about a young woman who agrees to become the substitute bride for a cold rich man. As secrets unfold, their marriage of convenience turns into an unexpected love story.
Imagine waking up to a little girl you’ve never seen before calling you DAD! See Zeus Collins as one of three carefree bachelors whose lives get upended when a child lands on their doorstep and calls them “Daddy”. As they navigate this new responsibility, they also discover the true meaning of friendship and family.
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De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), through its School of Arts, Culture and Performance (SACP) proudly announces the upcoming theatrical production of REX.
Scheduled to run from November 12 to 22, 2026 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater in Circuit Makati, REX exemplifies Benilde’s commitment to community-driven, socially relevant theater-making.
REX is a multi-sectoral institutional collaboration bringing together Benildean students, faculty, alumni, and industry professionals.
The production bridges diverse academic programs across the college—including Theater Arts, Production Design, Dance, Music Production, Multimedia Arts, Photography, and Creative Industries Management—demonstrating how academic learning integrates with professional stagecraft.
A Benildean Lens on Timeless Realities
Written by Palanca Hall of Famer and faculty of Digital Film in DLS-CSB, Joshua Lim So, and directed by acclaimed director, set designer, and chair of the Theater Arts program DLS-CSB, Tuxqs Rutaquio, REX adapts Sophocles’s ancient tragedy Oedipus Rex into a contemporary Filipino context.
The production shifts the classical narrative from a divine plague to the pressing social crises facing modern Filipino communities: flood control failures, questionable public infrastructure, and political dynasties.
Set in the city of Tebes,
The story follows the Po family and their company, St. Paul the Apostle Constructions, as torrential rains leave over a hundred citizens dead. As the household attempts to protect its interests, long-buried truths emerge, exposing how systemic corruption swallowing leaders leads to collective tragedy.
Institutional Synergy and Artistic Leadership
The creative execution features design and artistic contributions from Benilde faculty and alumni, including Movement Designer Christine Crame (Dance), Lighting Designer Jose Joaquin Aranda (Theater Arts), Sound Designer and Engineer TJ Martinez (Music Production faculty and alumnus), Costume Designer Phillip Domingo (Production Design alumnus), and Projection Designer Ces Valera (Production Design faculty and alumna).
The production is spearheaded by a dedicated Benildean leadership team, including Project Manager Baha Vergara (Theater Arts), Production Manager Irene Romero (Theater Arts alumna), Deputy Production Manager Hazel Gutierrez-Marges (Theater Arts), Marketing & Promotions Manager Erri Rojo (Creative Industries Management), Stage Manager Kate Loreno (Theater Arts alumna), Deputy Stage Manager Axl Fernandez, Technical Director Renz Sevilla, Asst. Technical Director Dexter Sy.
Complementing the student actors from the BA Theater Arts program of DLS-CSB are veteran actors Eula Valdez and Martin Del Rosario, leading the ensemble.
This marks their onstage reunion 12 years after both earned Gawad Urian awards for their performances in the critically acclaimed independent film Dagitab (2014).
Joining them are professional actors Bong Cabrera (Theater Arts faculty), Sheryll Ceasico, Emilio Macabantad (Theater Arts alumnus), and EJ Jallorina.
Jallorina—a Goin’ Bulilit alumna playing a trans woman character—continues her advocacy for authentic queer representation and for breaking media stereotypes on stage.
Together, the ensemble will deliver a performance that will highlight both student talent and seasoned craft.
Schedule & Ticketing Details
The production has a total running time of approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. Venue: Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater, Circuit Makati Performance Dates: November 12–15 & November 19–22, 2026
Opening / Press Night:
Nov 12 (7:00 PM) Gala Night: Nov 13 (7:00 PM) Weekend & Matinee Shows: Nov 14, 15, 21, 22 (2:00 PM & 7:00 PM) | Nov 19, 20 (7:00 PM)
Seating Capacity (300 Seats Total):
Trono ni Rex (VIP Center Elevated Bleachers) Tanaw ng Tebes (Front Floor Level) Sa Gilid ng Lihim (Side Seating)
Ticketing: Open to the general public, as well as Benilde students, faculty, and alumni.
Tickets are available online via Ticket2Me.net.
Ticket claims begin 1 hour before showtime; doors open 30 minutes prior.
For more details on DLS-CSB theatrical productions and institutional updates, follow Benilde Arts on Facebook (facebook.com/benildearts) and Instagram (@benildearts)[cite: 5].
Manila-based Filipino actor Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante will play Sandra, a leading member of the Cornley Drama Society who takes on the role of Florence Colleymoore in the company’s increasingly disastrous 1920s murder mystery. She joins principal cast members from Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, bringing together a company of performers from five countries for the Manila season.
She will be joined by Tom Babbage (Chris), Owen Jenkins (Robert, West End), Sebastiano Pitruzzello (Max, 2025 Australia and New Zealand 10th Anniversary Tour), Liam Horrigan (Jonathan, West End and UK tour), Tom Hayward (Dennis), Olivia Charalambous (Annie, Australia and New Zealand), Jake Curran (Trevor, West End) and Stephanie Astrid (female understudy, Sandra at the Sydney Opera House). The production is directed by Hannah Sharkey.
Carlos Candal, CEO and Founder of GMG Productions, on assembling a global cast:
“For GMG Productions, this casting is deeply personal. Seeing Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante, a Filipino artist of extraordinary calibre, who was also a member of our Filipino-led production of Come From Away, and who brings such a hilarious, unhinged spirit to the stage, stepping into one of theatre’s most iconic roles fills us with pride. Bringing her together with world-class performers from Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States is exactly what we set out to do when we founded GMG: to give Filipino audiences the chance to experience theatre at the highest level, with one of our own shining at its heart.
If this company were any more international, we’d need subtitles; luckily, the chaos of THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG needs no translation at all.”
Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante has spent over a decade onstage, making her professional debut in 2011 as Liesl in Resorts World Manila’s The Sound of Music. Since then, she has taken on a diverse range of roles, including Carrie in Carrie the Musical, Barbara Smith in Run for Your Wife, Annette in the Asian tour of Saturday Night Fever, Medium Alison in Fun Home, Lauren in Kinky Boots, Cynthia Weil in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, and Johanna in Sweeney Todd. Most recently, she portrayed Carrie Pipperidge in Repertory Philippines’ Carousel, earning her first Gawad Buhay Award for Female Featured Performance in a Musical.
Awarded the 2014 WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Comedy, the 2015 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy and a Tony AwardⓇ for its Broadway transfer, THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG has grown from a first performance at The Old Red Lion 10 years ago—attended by just four paying customers—to a global phenomenon now playing in over 30 countries and seen by more than two million people. Created by Mischief’s Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, the award-winning smash-hit comedy continues to delight audiences in the West End and around the world, arriving in Manila as part of its international journey following acclaimed runs in more than 50 countries over the past decade.
THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG follows the Cornley Drama Society as it attempts to stage The Murder at Haversham Manor, a 1920s murder mystery. But as opening night unfolds, everything that can go wrong does: the set collapses, props disappear, cues are missed, lines are forgotten and the performers must battle on through escalating chaos.
Tickets for THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG, playing at The Theatre at Solaire from November 6 to 22, 2026, are available through ticketworld.com.ph. For updates and exclusive announcements, visit www.gmg-productions.com or follow @gmg.productions
ABOUT THE CAST
Tom Babbage as Chris
Originally from Somerset, Tom trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. His theatre credits include Murder for Two (SJT and Bolton Octagon), The Little Mermaid (Watermill), The Two Gentlemen of Verona (RSC), Putting it Together (Playground Theatre/Salisbury Celebrate Voice), Fun at the Beach Romp-Bomp-A-Lomp!! (Southwark Playhouse), The Fair Maid of the West (RSC), The Motive and the Cue(National Theatre), Boundless as the Sea and Miss Littlewood (RSC/Cunard), Cluedo (UK premiere and tour), The Play That Goes Wrong (UK Tour and West End – Duchess Theatre), Peter Pan Goes Wrong (UK Tour), The Wizard of Oz (Brewhouse Theatre Taunton), Toys – The Musical(CityWalk Dubai), The Garden (Tristan Bates Theatre), Around the World in Eighty Days (Brewhouse Theatre Taunton), Arianna in Creta (Royal College of Music), and Widows and Children First! (Jermyn Street Theatre).
His film and television work includes Amandaland (BBC), The Candidate, Memories: Brothers – A Lasting Legacy, Beauty, Spaceboy, Brief Intermission, Easy Ride (music video), and Cracking Shakespeare (educational film).
Workshop credits include Cockfosters (Riverside Studios), Caroline: A New Musical (NT Studios), The Two Gentlemen of Verona (RSC), That Bastard, Puccini! (RJG Productions), Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badgers Drift (Nicholson Green Productions), a confidential RSC workshop, Iolanthe (JB Theatre Productions Ltd), Legends of Arahma (Central Studio, QMC), Bedbug and Featherboy (both National Theatre), and The Wall (Pink Floyd and Complicité, directed by Simon McBurney).
Tom is also an established voiceover artist, working across video games, commercials, podcasts, and audiobooks for publishers including HarperCollins, Macmillan, and Bloomsbury; his 2025 recording of Tiny Hercules has been shortlisted for “Best Children’s Audiobook” at the British Audio Awards.
Owen Jenkins as Robert
Owen trained at The Oxford School of Drama. His theatre credits include The Play That Goes Wrong (West End), The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Riverside Studios), Doctor Who: Time Fracture (Immersive Everywhere/BBC), David Walliams’ The First Hippo on the Moon(International Tour), An Enemy of the People, David Baddiel’s Animalcom, and One Duck Down (UK Tours), as well as Stranger Things and Wishmas (Secret Cinema), The Jolly Christmas Postman (Oxford Playhouse), Raymond Briggs’ The Bear (Birmingham MAC), The Game’s Afoot, and The Marvellous Imaginary Menagerie (Les Enfants Terribles). His screen credits include Milk (Blue Ethel) and Trickle (Ravanburn).
Owen is also a director, writer, and voice-over artist. He is an Artistic Director and writer for award-winning theatre company FacePlant Theatre and co-creator of critically acclaimed audio series At Your Peril.
Sebastiano Pitruzzello as Max
Following the 2025 Australia & New Zealand 10th Anniversary Tour of The Play That Goes Wrong, Sebastiano returns to his professional theatre debut role as Max. His previous credits include the Australian premieres of STOP/OVER (Three Fates Theatre) and BACON (Melbourne Fringe 2023). He graduated from Federation University Arts Academy in 2019.
Liam Horrigan as Jonathan
Liam is an actor and writer from Essex who trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. His theatre credits include The Play That Goes Wrong (West End and UK Tour), Cluedo and Cluedo 2 (UK Tours), Haywire (The Barn Theatre), Cockfosters (Southwark Playhouse), Ben Hur (Barn Theatre), The Devils (Embassy Theatre), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Webber Douglas Studio). His audio credits include The Queen Philippa (2handers/BBC) and DMs Are Open (BBC Studios), and his film credit is Third Bench on the Left (CPO Productions).
Liam is also a co-host of the award-nominated podcast You’re On Tonight, which explores the experiences of actors, understudies, and swings stepping onstage at the last minute.
Tom Hayward as Dennis
Tom Hayward is an emerging performer from Wellington, New Zealand. In 2023, he completed his Bachelor of Creativity in acting for stage and screen at Te Auaha. That same year, he performed in the HATCH showcase for TAHI (New Zealand Festival of Solo Performance), where he demonstrated his skills as a comedic actor and playwright.
Last year, Tom made his professional theatrical debut, playing Dennis in the Australia and New Zealand tour of The Play That Goes Wrong. He is now excited to jump back into that same world to help bring the joy of Mischief Theatre to a brand-new audience.
Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante as Sandra
Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante is a Manila-based actor, singer, and host with over 15 years of experience on stage. Most recently, she played the Baker’s Wife in Theatre Group Asia’s sold-out and critically acclaimed production of Into the Woods. She also portrayed Antonia in Repertory Philippines’ Man of La Mancha and Raquel in Barefoot Theatre Collaborative’s Anthropology.
Her theatre credits include Carrie Pipperidge in Repertory Philippines’ Carousel, for which she received the Gawad Buhay Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical, as well as Medium Alison in Fun Home, Carrie in Carrie the Musical, Barbara Smith in Run for Your Wife, Annette in Saturday Night Fever the Musical (Manila, Malaysia, and Singapore), Lauren in Kinky Boots, Una in Blackbird, Cynthia Weil in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, and Johanna in Sweeney Todd (Manila and Singapore).
Olivia Charalambous as Annie
an Australian actor and director who graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) with a Bachelor of Dramatic Art (Acting) in 2013. Her selected performance credits include Les Misérables (10th Anniversary Production, Cameron Mackintosh), Spring Awakening (Original Australian Cast, Sydney Theatre Company), Puffs (Original Australian Cast, TEG/LifeLike Touring), Young Frankenstein (Hayes Theatre Co), and Hamlet: Prince of Skidmark (The Listies/Critical Stages/Sydney Theatre Company).
Her directing credits include Disney’s Camp Rock, Skank Sinatra, Between the Lines JR, Pursuing Pleasure, Spring Awakening, The Understudy, Carrie: The Musical, and Zoë’s Killer Instinct. She recently launched The OC Project, a Melbourne-based company delivering performance-based workshops for corporate and education settings, alongside directing and creative development for live performance.
Olivia returns to the Mischief family as Annie in The Play That Goes Wrong, having previously performed the role throughout Australia and New Zealand in 2015.
Jake Curran as Trevor
Trained at Drama Centre London, Jake Curran’s credits include: film roles in Clayface (2026), Over Your Dead Body (2026), The Owners (2020), Maze Runner: Death Cure (2018), Journey’s End (2018), Fury (2014), Robin Hood (2010), Wrong Turn 3 (2009), Stardust (2007), The New World(2005), and Oliver Twist (2005).
Television appearances in Harry Potter (2026), Robin Hood (2025), EastEnders (2022), The Confessions of Frannie Langton (2021), Gangs of London (2021), Spotless (2015), Whitechapel (2013), Murder on the Homefront (2013), Mayday (2013), Inspector Lewis (2012), Doctors (2011), Summer in Transylvania (2011), Waking the Dead (2011), Criminal Justice (2008), Primeval (2007), Casualty (2003, 2013), The Bill (1998, 2004), The Demon Headmaster (1996), and Grange Hill (1995).
Theatre work in The Play That Goes Wrong (2018, 2019), Christie in Love (2016), A Haunting (World Premiere, 2016), The Young Visitors(2016), Noonday Demons (2015), Fred and Madge (World Premiere, 2014), The Boy Who Cried (2014), and Diary of a Nobody (2014, 2015, 2017); and short films including Boom Chicks (2026), Lily’s House (2026), Lazar (2025), Egg (2025), Full Tank (2025), The Regent (2025), Thou Shalt Not See (2024), Undercurrents (2023), The Ceiling (2022) (Winner of Best Ensemble Award at The World Indie Film Awards), The Moth(2021), The Anchor (2011), Dirt (2011), and Ribbon (2010). Jake is also the writer/director of the films The Psychedelic Biker Killings and Twindrome.
Stuart Vincent, Understudy
Stuart Vincent is a British mixed-heritage actor and professional hip-hop dancer. His theatre credits include the West End production of The Play That Goes Wrong and the lead role of Amir in the UK and Ireland tour of The Kite Runner. On screen, he has appeared as Ross in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, Terry in the feature film When the Screaming Starts, and Cem in Good Luck, an award-winning short film written and directed by BAFTA Award-winning filmmaker Franz Böhm. Alongside his acting career, Stuart brings over 16 years of professional hip-hop dance experience, contributing to his dynamic physicality and commanding stage presence.
Tom Bulpett, Male Understudy
Tom trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. His theatre credits include The Grapes of Wrath (National Theatre), The Play That Goes Wrong (West End), Macbeth (Chichester Festival Theatre), The Importance of Being…Earnest? (UK Tour), The Burial at Thebes (RCSSD), Seahorse (Theatre 503), and Road (Warwick Arts Centre). His screen credits include Dept. Q (Netflix), Casualty (BBC), The Mummy (Universal Pictures), Quiz (ITV), and Father Brown (BBC).
Stephanie Astrid, Female Understudy
A Green Room Award-winning performer, most recently known for playing Sandra in The Play That Goes Wrong. Her theatre credits include Viola in Twelfth Night (Melbourne Shakespeare Company), Queen Angelica in The Grinning Man, Miss Thorn in Ruthless!, Pam in 50 Shades!, Joyce Byers in Stranger Sings, Genevieve Gryffindor in Voldemort and the Teenage Hogwarts, and Stephanie Necrophorous in NINE. She has also performed in the Australian premiere of Midnight: The Cinderella Musical and Disney’s My Son Pinocchio.
Her voiceover credits include Trudie Poodle in The Underdogs podcast and S.A.M.A.N.T.H.A in Busy Bodies with Mr Snotbottom, winner of Best Kid’s Podcast at the 2023 Australian Podcast Awards. She is represented by Ian White Management.
Hannah Sharkey, Director
Hannah trained at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and was one of twelve directors selected for Stonecrabs’ Emerging Directors Programme in 2014, where she was marked “One to Watch.” She is currently Director of Mind Mangler: Member of the Tragic Circle for Virgin Voyages, having previously directed the West End, Off-Broadway, UK tour, and Edinburgh productions.
Hannah was previously Associate Director on Magic Goes Wrong in the West End and Resident Director on the West End production of The Play That Goes Wrong, as well as Director of the Portuguese and Mexican replica productions.
Other directing credits include Cinderella (Theatre Royal Bath/UK Productions), Nomad (The Soho Theatre Young Company at Edinburgh Fringe), Storms (The Vaults), and Low Level Panic (The Albany Theatre).
Johnson’s Mombassadors, content creator Lottie Bie and beauty queen Samantha Bernardo, recently gained a new understanding of something they now have to navigate as first-time moms: caring for their babies’ skin.
Through firsthand experience with the science, they learned that newborn skin, unlike adult skin, loses moisture faster, making it more prone to dryness and irritation. Family bar soap may seem sufficient or convenient for bath time, but babies need a range of bath and lotion products formulated to protect their delicate newborn skin.
It’s one of the many things first-time moms have to learn along the way. After all, they’re often bombarded with an endless stream of advice: the dos and don’ts, signs to watch out for, and products to use. As they say, there’s no manual for motherhood. The good thing is that Johnson’s Baby is there to help moms along the way, educating them on how to preserve their baby’s soft, healthy-looking skin, perfect for every pisil and gigil.
Hydration is protection
This is where a mother’s instinctive touch meets science.
At the recent “Johnson’s Baby HaploScience: Proving the Power of Gentle Care” event, held on Oct. 9 at LEAP Studios in Makati City, moms got a closer look at the science behind gentle newborn care through immersive experiments, interactive activities, and research presentations.
According to Neha Sahatpure, Kenvue Research & Development Scientist, “The biggest misconception is that a baby’s skin is the same as an adult’s skin and that babies can use the same products.” For the first time, Johnson’s Baby brought moms closer to the products by highlighting their safety and gentleness, superior hydration and moisturization, and gentle cleansing properties through fun experiments.
Doctors and nurses also shared baby-care tips, promoting the right regimen of cleansing, moisturizing, and massaging with Johnson’s Baby. They debunked common newborn skincare misconceptions and answered questions from moms, including why the products they use on their own skin may not necessarily be suitable for a newborn’s.
The brand also launched the new formulation of the Johnson’s Baby Milk+Rice Bath & Lotion regimen, which provides 72-hour hydration. The formulation contains milk proteins, rice extracts, Vitamin B5, and is now enriched with aloe vera.
With more than 132 years of expertise in baby care, Johnson’s Baby, the no. 1 baby-care brand prescribed by doctors, has continued to develop products specifically formulated for babies’ delicate skin. With its latest formulation upgrade, the brand continues to fulfill its promise of providing gentle care.
What moms learned
Samantha Bernardo and Lottie Bie, Johnson’s Baby’s new “Mombassadors,” said the experience made them rethink some of their own assumptions about newborn skincare.
“I didn’t realize before how quickly newborn skin can lose moisture. I always thought that a newborn’s skin was naturally healthy as is and didn’t need any additional care. That’s why I hardly used products on my baby before,” Lottie said. “Sometimes, we think that what we normally use at home, like family soap, will do. Now, I’m more conscious about choosing products that are specially formulated for babies because some family products contain harsh ingredients that may damage a newborn’s skin.”
Meanwhile, motherhood has taught Samantha Bernardo that preparation can only take you so far.
“I have always been used to preparing for different things in my career, but motherhood is definitely one experience you can’t really prepare for,” Samantha Bernardo said. “There are always new things to learn, and knowing why a baby’s skin needs extra attention helps me make better choices.”
Johnson’s Mompreneur Affiliate Program
Being a mom is tough, even more so in this challenging economy. But moms don’t have to figure everything out on their own, thanks to Johnson’s Baby.
Johnson’s Baby proudly launches its Mompreneur Program, a community where mothers can learn how to care for their babies, connect with fellow moms, and earn more for their families.
According to Samantha Onglatco, Brand Manager for Baby Care at Kenvue Philippines, “The Johnson’s Mompreneur community gives moms access not only to baby-care tips, but also to useful skills that can help them create content and earn through social commerce platforms. We have connected mothers with resources, such as training sessions and workshops, to help them grow their content creation skills.” The program also supports aspiring mompreneurs through content creation and affiliate opportunities that can provide additional sources of income.
For mothers who may already feel overwhelmed by childcare and everyday economic pressures, the community aims to offer information, support, and inspiration to help them grow.Indeed, motherhood may not come with a manual. But having the science to understand what their babies need, products formulated to address those needs, and a community they can turn to can help moms make everyday choices with greater confidence. That leaves plenty more room for cuddling, kissing, and all that gigil, from the very first haplos to all the little moments that follow.
Some games are simply meant to feel larger than life.
With Street Fighter, that means bone-crunching battles, unmistakable characters, explosive moves and a world that generations of players already know by heart. Now, the iconic fighting game is stepping into cinemas once again, this time with a cast and creative team determined to deliver something both longtime fans and first-time audiences can enjoy.
Led by Andrew Koji as Ryu and Noah Centineo as Ken, the new Street Fighter brings together an impressive ensemble that includes Jason Momoa as Blanka, WWE superstar Joe “Roman Reigns” Anoa’i as Akuma and David Dastmalchian as Lord M. Bison.
Watch the trailer:
For the actors and filmmakers behind the movie, however, this is more than another game adaptation. It is a chance to bring the energy, personality and spectacle of Street Fighter to the big screen in a way they believe audiences have not seen before.
Roman Reigns Says the Movie Builds a World Audiences Can Get Lost In
Stepping into the role of Akuma is Joe “Roman Reigns” Anoa’i, whose commanding presence makes him a natural fit for one of the franchise’s most intimidating fighters.
For Anoa’i, one of the movie’s biggest strengths is the way it expands the world fans already love.
We’ve done properly what hasn’t been done before – fleshing out a world that so many people of all ages know and love, he says.
There’s that escapism. You can leave everything behind and get lost in this universe, and we’ve put that on film. Audiences are going to immerse themselves in this world of Street Fighter.
It is that sense of scale and escapism that the cast repeatedly points to when talking about the movie. Rather than simply recreating familiar images from the games, the film aims to make audiences feel as though they have stepped directly into its universe.
Andrew Koji Wants Hardcore Fans and Newcomers to Feel Welcome
For Andrew Koji, taking on the role of Ryu came with a major responsibility.
The character is one of the most recognizable figures in gaming history, and Koji says the filmmakers were conscious of making a movie that could satisfy devoted players while remaining accessible to newcomers.
We all wanted to make sure that not only can we get new fans to love it, but the hardcore fans too, says Andrew Koji, who plays Ryu. There are so many nods we put in there and we’re bringing a Street Fighter film that has never been done before and hopefully will be remembered for a long time to come.
That balance is crucial for a franchise with decades of history behind it. Fans know the moves, rivalries, costumes and personalities intimately, which means every detail matters.
At the same time, Street Fighter is aiming to introduce its colorful universe to audiences who may have never picked up the game.
Noah Centineo Says Street Fighter Should Be Seen Big
While Koji embodies the disciplined Ryu, Noah Centineo takes on the role of Ken, one of the franchise’s most popular and recognizable characters.
And if Centineo has one recommendation for audiences, it is simple: see the movie on the biggest screen possible.
It’s a huge movie. It is so visually stimulating that seeing that on a huge screen is the way to see it, he says.
The fights are sweaty, and bloody, you want to see that huge, and the sound design – the seats are going to shake. Street Fighter is one of those movies that should be seen in an IMAX theater.
For a franchise built around spectacular combat, that theatrical scale makes sense.
Every punch, kick and special move is designed to land with maximum impact, while the movie’s sound design and visuals push the experience beyond what audiences can get from a smaller screen.
David Dastmalchian Promises Action, Comedy and Plenty of Surprises
David Dastmalchian, meanwhile, takes on the villainous role of Lord M. Bison.
Known for bringing intensity and unpredictability to his performances, Dastmalchian teases a movie that refuses to settle into just one tone.
The high-octane action and adventure, the fighting, the comedy, the brutal stuff that is going to just totally shock people, says the actor.
And the performances, the design. Street Fighter is going to feel like a roller coaster, and I can’t wait to see what people look like as the rollercoaster comes in for landing.
That combination of larger-than-life action and humor is an important part of the franchise’s appeal.
After all, Street Fighter has always thrived on contrast. Its fighters can be serious, eccentric, intimidating or wildly theatrical, sometimes all within the same match.
Bringing that spirit to a feature film means embracing both the spectacle and the fun.
Jason Momoa Calls Street Fighter Part of His Childhood
For Jason Momoa, the project is personal.
Momoa not only appears in the movie as Blanka, he also serves as a producer, giving him a role both in front of and behind the camera.
Street Fighter will make you laugh, and cry, and have a really great time, he says.
This is my childhood. Street Fighter was everything growing up. For existing fans, and new fans, it’s such a diverse world and cast – there’s something for everyone in it.
That connection to the games is shared by several members of the team, helping give the adaptation a sense of genuine affection for the source material.
Momoa’s comments also point to the movie’s broader ambition. It is not only trying to reproduce familiar characters and moves. It wants audiences to become emotionally invested in them, too.
Director Kitao Sakurai Brings a Lifelong Fan’s Perspective
At the center of the production is director Kitao Sakurai, who grew up with the games himself.
For Sakurai, making Street Fighter carried both personal and cultural significance.
As a Japanese-American filmmaker, to have the honor to do Street Fighter makes me feel incredibly proud, he says
To be able to incorporate the feelings I had as a child, to be able to bring to life the aspects of the game that as a fan, you felt in your heart, is exactly what I hope the movie captures.
That emotional connection also shaped the film’s approach to authenticity.
According to Sakurai, the production paid close attention to the elements fans immediately associate with Street Fighter, from fighting styles and costumes to signature moves and character personalities.
We’re excited that this is the most accurate Street Fighter adaptation ever made, in terms of the fighting styles, the moves, the costumes and the tone and spirit of the characters, he says.
And I hope people go see it in IMAX or other premium exhibition formats, for the incredible visuals, and the soundtrack where these needle drops are immersive and banging.
A Street Fighter Movie Made for the Cinema
There is no shortage of pressure when adapting a game as beloved as Street Fighter.
Fans arrive with decades of memories, favorite characters and expectations. New audiences, meanwhile, need a reason to care about a world they may be experiencing for the first time.
The cast and filmmakers seem well aware of that challenge.
And beneath all that spectacle is a clear affection for the franchise that inspired it.
Whether you grew up mastering combos at the arcade or are meeting Ryu, Ken, Blanka and Akuma for the first time, Street Fighter wants to offer the kind of energetic, crowd-pleasing experience that feels right at home in a packed cinema.
Before there was a wardrobe, there was a world waiting to be born.
Greta Gerwig takes audiences back to the very beginning of C. S. Lewis’ beloved fantasy universe in “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew,” a sweeping new adventure that reveals how the magical land of Narnia first came to life.
The first trailer offers an enchanting glimpse into a story filled with wonder, mystery, music, and extraordinary new worlds, setting the stage for what could be one of 2027’s most anticipated fantasy films.
Watch the trailer:
The Beginning of Narnia Comes to the Big Screen
Based on C. S. Lewis’ timeless novel, “The Magician’s Nephew” takes viewers to a point long before the events most audiences associate with Narnia.
This is the story of its creation.
At the center of that beginning is one of Lewis’ most unforgettable images: a cosmic lion singing a world into existence. It is a moment that left a lasting impression on Gerwig, who has loved the story since childhood.
I was a child when I first read The Magician’s Nephew, and I fell in love with the gorgeously improbable but completely brilliant concept of a cosmic lion singing the world of Narnia to life, Gerwig says.
I didn’t know that I would grow up to make films, but a universe built out of music is an idea that has always lived in my heart. It is the honor of a lifetime to be asked to imagine it into being.
For Gerwig, the appeal of Narnia goes beyond fantasy. The books shaped the way she saw imagination, adventure, and the possibility of discovering something extraordinary in the ordinary.
Because of C. S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia, I believed in magic and hidden worlds and adventure. I believed that anywhere could be enchanted, and that anyone could be swept up into an epic. That wonder and awe was available to everyone, even ordinary people like me…It transformed me, she says.
Greta Gerwig Brings Her Own Sense of Wonder to Narnia
Gerwig has built a reputation for films that balance emotion, wit, character, and visual storytelling.
From Lady Bird to Little Women and the global phenomenon Barbie, the filmmaker has repeatedly brought familiar ideas into fresh, distinctive worlds. With “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew,” she now turns to one of fantasy literature’s most enduring universes.
The project also marks the first time The Magician’s Nephew has been adapted for the screen, giving audiences the chance to experience a chapter of Narnia that has never before received a major cinematic treatment.
For longtime readers, that alone makes the film especially exciting.
For newcomers, it offers a natural place to begin.
A Story of Magic, Hidden Worlds, and New Beginnings
“The Magician’s Nephew” is often regarded as the origin story of Narnia, revealing how the world was created and laying the foundation for the adventures that follow.
That sense of discovery is at the heart of the new film.
Rather than returning audiences to a world they already know, Gerwig is inviting them to witness Narnia at its most mysterious and unfamiliar. It is a place not yet shaped by legend, where every forest, creature, sound, and spell feels new.
And for a story built around creation itself, that sense of possibility could be its greatest strength.
An All-Star Cast Enters the World of Narnia
The film features an ensemble cast that includes David McKenna, Beatrice Campbell, Emma Mackey, Carey Mulligan, Ciarán Hinds, Daniel Craig, Meryl Streep, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Denise Gough, and Susan Wokoma.
Gerwig writes and directs the film, with Mark Gordon, Amy Pascal, Vincent Sieber-Smith, and Gerwig serving as producers.
Patricia Whitcher, Racheline Benveniste, Christine Crais, Douglas Gresham, and Melvin Adams for the C. S. Lewis Estate serve as executive producers.
A New Narnia Adventure Arrives in 2027
With its rich mythology, beloved source material, and Gerwig’s distinctive creative vision, “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew” is shaping up to be a major new chapter for the franchise.
More importantly, it is a return to the feeling that made Narnia special in the first place: the idea that another world might be closer than we think.
Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Greta Gerwig brings C. S. Lewis’ beloved story The Magician’s Nephew to the screen for the first time in a sweeping adventure that invites dreamers of all ages to experience the creation of Narnia.
Written for the screen and directed by: Greta Gerwig
Based on the novel by: C. S. Lewis
Cast: David McKenna, Beatrice Campbell, Emma Mackey, Carey Mulligan, Ciarán Hinds, Daniel Craig, Meryl Streep, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Denise Gough, and Susan Wokoma
Produced by: Mark Gordon, Amy Pascal, Vincent Sieber-Smith, and Greta Gerwig
Executive producers: Patricia Whitcher, Racheline Benveniste, Christine Crais, Douglas Gresham, and Melvin Adams for the C. S. Lewis Estate
Wednesday means new movies, and giving moviegoers plenty of reasons to head back to the cinema. Street Fighter steps into the ring with Ryu, Ken, and Chun-Li, while Always Lalisa puts BLACKPINK star LISA front and center. Closer to home, 2 Valid IDs turns an all-too-familiar frustration into compelling drama, while Pee Mak mixes scares, laughs, and romance. Rounding out this week’s seven releases are Amazon-set creature thriller Beware Boiuna, K comedy-drama The Intern, and the seriously claustrophobic Whalefall.
Action? K-pop? Horror? Something with a little more heart? Here’s what’s new in cinemas this week.
Hadouken! The World Warriors are back on the big screen.
Set in 1993, Street Fighter finds Ryu and Ken Masters estranged until the mysterious Chun-Li pulls them back into action for the next World Warrior Tournament. Waiting for them is a brutal competition where fists fly and old rivalries come roaring back.
Noah Centineo, left, and Andrew Koji star in PARAMOUNT PICTURES AND LEGENDARY PICTURES In Association with CAPCOM. A LEGENDARY PICTURES Production “STREET FIGHTER”
There is something much bigger brewing behind the tournament, however. A deadly conspiracy forces Ryu and Ken to reckon with their past and puts the former friends on a collision course with each other.
Eric André stars in PARAMOUNT PICTURES AND LEGENDARY PICTURES In Association with CAPCOM. A LEGENDARY PICTURES Production “STREET FIGHTER”
Andrew Koji steps into the role of Ryu, with Noah Centineo as Ken and Callina Liang as Chun-Li. For anyone who grew up choosing a fighter and hearing “Round One, Fight!” this is easily one of the week’s biggest nostalgia plays.
Two pieces of identification. One simple transaction. A problem that quickly becomes anything but simple.
In 2 Valid IDs, a poor farmer attempts to claim a remittance only to be turned away because she cannot provide the required identification. Her struggle to overcome the obstacle eventually pushes her into circumstances that test her character, beliefs, and sense of right and wrong.
It is a distinctly Filipino premise built around something many viewers will immediately recognize. With Pokwang at the center of the story, joined by Joey Marquez and Zaijian Jaranilla, the film finds drama in the frustrating realities of everyday life.
What comes after becoming one of the most recognizable K-pop stars on the planet?
Always Lalisa follows LISA through a transformative year away from BLACKPINK as she begins shaping the next phase of her career. The documentary captures a period defined by big decisions, reinvention, and self-discovery. Away from the familiar dynamic of the group that helped turn her into a global superstar, LISA gets the chance to define what comes next on her own terms.
For fans, it is an opportunity to experience that chapter on the big screen and see another side of the performer behind the worldwide phenomenon.
The Amazon is already intimidating enough. Now imagine something ancient waking up beneath it.
Beware Boiuna follows a medical mission deep in the rainforest that takes a terrifying turn when Boiúna, a colossal predator, awakens and begins reclaiming its domain. The expedition quickly becomes a battle for survival as the group realizes they are trapped somewhere nature holds absolute power. The deeper they go, the clearer it becomes that they are visitors in a territory where something much larger is calling the shots.
Creature-feature fans looking for their next monster-sized thrill may want this one on the list.
2026 • PG • h m COMEDY, HORROR, ROMANCE GET SHOWTIMES
Scares do not always have to be serious.
Pee Mak brings together three genres that make for an irresistible movie-night combination: comedy, horror, and romance.
Bea Binene, Wilbert Ross, and Vandolph lead the cast, setting up a supernatural outing that offers something lighter for audiences who enjoy getting startled one minute and laughing the next.
For anyone assembling a spooky-season watchlist but still wants plenty of fun in the mix, this could be the ticket.
There is a new intern at the office, but he is bringing a lot more life experience than the usual fresh recruit.
The Intern follows Seon-wu, the intensely dedicated CEO of a fashion company, whose working life changes when she hires Ki-ho as a senior intern.
The unusual arrangement brings two generations and two very different perspectives into the same workplace. Seon-wu may know how to run her company, but Ki-ho arrives with something that cannot be learned from a business manual: years of hard-earned experience.
Choi Min-sik and Han So-hee headline this Korean comedy-drama about work, age, and what happens when different generations finally start listening to each other.
How do you escape when you have been swallowed by a sperm whale?
That nightmare becomes reality for Jay Gardiner in Whalefall. After his father dies, Jay heads into the waters off California searching for his remains. Instead, he finds himself swallowed by a massive whale.
He has just one hour of oxygen. Trapped inside the animal with time running out, Jay must figure out an escape using whatever he has available. And in an unexpected turn, the lessons his father left behind may be the very things that keep him alive.
Part survival thriller and part father-son story, Whalefall has one of the week’s wildest premises and a ticking clock built to keep the tension high.
What’s On Your Movie List This Week?
There is no single mood defining this Wednesday’s releases. Street Fighter brings the punches, Always Lalisa gives K-pop fans a closer look at LISA’s next chapter, and 2 Valid IDs turns an everyday Filipino struggle into a dramatic story. Horror fans can choose between the monster-sized danger of Beware Boiuna and the lighter supernatural fun of Pee Mak, while The Intern and Whalefall offer two very different stories about lessons learned from experience.
Whatever you’re in the mood for, there’s a new movie ready for your next cinema run. Grab your favorite snacks, round up your barkadas, and secure your tickets for your next big-screen fix.
Stay tuned for next week’s fresh batch of releases and updates. Keep ClickTheCity bookmarked for the latest showtimes, your next movie is a click away!
Filipino fight fans now have a new destination for UFC action.
Disney+ is officially the home of UFC in the Philippines, giving local viewers access to live events from one of the biggest mixed martial arts organizations in the world.
Kicking things off is UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: ALLEN vs. DUNCAN, streaming live from the Meta APEX in Las Vegas. The prelims begin at 5:00 AM PHT, followed by the main card at 8:00 AM PHT.
At the center of the event is a high-stakes middleweight clash between Brendan Allen and Christian Leroy Duncan, two fighters entering the Octagon with plenty to prove.
Brendan Allen Looks to Move Closer to UFC Gold
For Brendan Allen, the mission is clear.
The seasoned middleweight contender enters another main event with his eyes firmly fixed on the championship picture. Already battle-tested against some of the division’s toughest competitors, Allen knows that an impressive victory could strengthen his case for a future title opportunity.
His experience, submission skills, and ability to stay composed in demanding situations have made him one of the middleweight division’s most dangerous names.
Now, with another spotlight moment ahead of him, Allen has the chance to remind fans why he remains firmly in the conversation among the division’s top contenders.
Christian Leroy Duncan Steps Into His Biggest UFC Opportunity Yet
Standing across from Allen is Christian Leroy Duncan, a dynamic middleweight taking on his first UFC main event assignment.
It is easily one of the biggest opportunities of his career.
Duncan has built a reputation around his athleticism, creativity, and confident striking. Against Allen, however, he faces a proven contender with significantly more experience at the highest level.
That contrast makes the matchup particularly intriguing.
For Duncan, a victory over Allen would represent a major breakthrough and could immediately raise his profile within the division. For Allen, it is an opportunity to stop the momentum of a hungry challenger while continuing his push toward UFC gold.
With both men chasing something significant, the stakes could hardly be higher.
Matheus Camilo and Jai Herbert Bring the Heat in the Co-Main Event
The action does not stop with the headliner.
In the co-main event, Matheus Camilo takes on Jai Herbert in a lightweight contest that promises intensity from the opening bell.
Camilo has made his intentions perfectly clear with one memorable statement: “I come for violence.”
That aggressive mindset could make for an explosive matchup against Herbert, who is looking to secure back-to-back UFC victories and continue climbing the lightweight ladder.
Herbert brings length, striking experience, and plenty of motivation into the contest. Another victory would give him valuable momentum in one of the UFC’s deepest and most competitive divisions.
Camilo, meanwhile, will be looking to make an unforgettable statement of his own.
Put them together, and the co-main event has all the ingredients for a crowd-pleasing battle.
UFC Action Has a New Home on Disney+
The arrival of UFC on Disney+ gives Filipino fans another major sports offering to watch on the streaming platform.
With live UFC events now available through Disney+ in the Philippines, subscribers can follow marquee matchups, rising contenders, and some of the sport’s biggest moments from one platform.
With Brendan Allen looking to move closer to a title opportunity, Christian Leroy Duncan stepping into his biggest UFC assignment yet, and Matheus Camilo and Jai Herbert preparing for a hard-hitting co-main event, UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Duncan offers plenty for fight fans to look forward to.
And now, with Disney+ becoming the official home of UFC in the Philippines, Filipino audiences have a new way to experience every punch, kick, takedown, and dramatic finish.
There’s a lot of good things going for Verity. First of all, its cast is amazing. Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, and Josh Hartnett, I love these actors. The premise looks enticing: a writer is asked to ghost write the book of an author of a popular series after she gets into an accident, but not all is as it seems. And then there’s the genre. From my initial impression of the trailer, I thought it was going to be a horror film, but it’s actually more of an erotic thriller, which is just as good. As the movie progressed, though, I started to feel that its ambitions were not quite being achieved and that the film was veering into camp territory. Seeing Hathaway and Johnson’s performances sort of sealed it for me. It helps that director Michael Showalter is also a comedian, so there is an underlying understanding in the film’s structure and presentation that it should lean into those campy elements.
Unfortunately, the film is neither campy enough nor erotic enough to fully embrace its potential.
Verity | Image Source: Columbia Pictures PH FB Page
Johnson plays Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer who is propositioned to finish the last three books of a popular series by Verity Crawford (Hathaway), who is unable to finish the book. She is encouraged by Verity’s husband, Jeremy (Hartnett), to accept the offer because Verity read her work and thought she was very good. The money offered, an attraction to Jeremy, and the praise given are enough for Lowen to take the job. She drives up to Vermont to stay in Jeremy and Verity’s house for a few days, going through all of Verity’s notes and outlines to start writing. There, she discovers Verity is now a paraplegic and can no longer talk or move. As Lowen begins her work, she is drawn into Verity’s life after finding an unpublished autobiography amongst her files, and a secret that turns her whole world upside down.
Verity | Image Source: Columbia Pictures PH FB Page
From the beginning, we are already made aware of Lowen’s mental state. Her mother died just a week prior, she’s being evicted from her place, her books are not selling well, and she takes medication daily, which tells us she’s not in the best frame of mind. So her choices become questionable every step of the way. When she starts seeing Verity move, we think that either one, she is going crazy or two, something else is going on. The film ensures that both possibilities could be true to mess with us.
Verity | Image Source: Columbia Pictures PH FB Page
Hartnett is so effective at playing Jeremy. As a loving father and husband, it’s easy to see why Lowen’s attraction to him grows stronger and stronger as the film unfolds. He has a gentle, everyman aura, and the care he shows Lowen can be enticing for a woman all wrung out by life. Johnson approaches the role with a delicate touch, oftentimes she’s a blank slate (likely due to the meds), but in later scenes, she becomes increasingly attached and invested. There are a wink and a smile to her performance that tells us she’s in on the joke, especially since her character can be a little silly. Hathaway, though, who appears primarily through flashbacks and interviews, really has fun with the role. Verity is a dangerous woman with dark, twisted thoughts, much like her books, and Hathaway clearly enjoys playing the villain, which makes us enjoy watching it all the more.
Verity | Image Source: Columbia Pictures PH FB Page
But the film relies on unnecessary jump scares to amp up the tension, and the sex scenes and nudity feel tame for the darkness at the core of the story. It has an R-16 rating after all, and for it to fully embrace its genre, it needs to get messier and sexier so we can truly feel that the movie is entering dangerous territory. For a film to be genuine camp, it has to be dead serious in its ambitions and fail spectacularly to earn that distinction. The film, though, knows it is a little silly but doesn’t totally commit to it. It also features a soundtrack with some songs that sound very “of the moment,” which undercuts the campiness of it all.
The film has quite a lot of twists and turns in its plot, which is all fine and good, but its final reveal and chosen conclusion run contrary to what it tries to make us believe. Instead of leaving me feeling amazed and impressed by the manipulation of my thoughts and feelings, the explanation of the film’s actual truth just doesn’t carry me over to its intended emotional destination, even if it was set up earlier.
My Rating: 2 Stars
Curious to see Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, and Josh Hartnett unravel this twisted thriller on the big screen? Verity is showing in theaters nationwide. Catch it at a cinema near you, click here for showtimes.
DC Studios is about to show audiences a side of Gotham they have never seen before.
With “Clayface,” the studio is stepping beyond the usual superhero formula and into full-blown psychological and body horror. Dark, unsettling and deeply personal, the film gives one of Batman’s most distinctive villains a long-overdue origin story while pushing the DC universe into bold new territory.
For DC Studios co-chair and co-CEO Peter Safran, that creative freedom is exactly the point.
One of the things that’s really important to us is that our slate of movies, television, gaming and experiences covers a vast spectrum of entertainment,” shares Safran. “We want to make sure that everything feels different.
That philosophy takes a particularly chilling turn with “Clayface,” which Safran describes as a dream project for the studio.
The idea of doing a horror movie under the DC banner is something that audiences have never seen before and are not expecting but I think are going to embrace fully. The fact that we can make a true R-rated horror movie for DC Studios, that’s just a dream come true.
Watch the trailer:
One of Gotham’s most tragic villains takes center stage
“Clayface” stars Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen, a Gotham street kid whose life changes dramatically when he rises to become a Hollywood leading man.
His success, however, is brutally cut short after a local crime boss leaves him horribly disfigured.
With his career shattered and his support system gone, Matt turns to an experimental treatment that promises the impossible. It works, at least at first. His appearance is restored, but the procedure also begins to alter his relationship with reality.
What follows is a descent into obsession, rage and revenge.
Safran believes the character is perfectly suited for that kind of darker treatment.
Clayface is one of the great Batman villains, and he’s never had his time in the sun. And so along with this, we’re getting an opportunity to tell his origin story.
For audiences used to traditional comic book adaptations, Safran promises something much more unexpected.
You’ve certainly never seen anything like it in the comic book space, but we’re really excited to bring it to the world.
Horror rooted in fear, identity and loss
At the center of “Clayface” is director James Watkins, who approaches horror from a psychological angle rather than relying only on shock value.
For Watkins, the most effective fears are often the most recognizable.
We all have those anxieties. Fears of losing our ability to work, our reputations, our identity. These are horrors we can all really identify with.
Those fears become even more disturbing when the human body itself becomes unpredictable.
We all have those anxieties. Fears of losing our ability to work, our reputations, our identity. These are horrors we can all really identify with – likewise, fears of our bodies going wrong.
I think these primal fears make the most compelling horrors, and I wanted to lean into them.
That makes Matt Hagen more than just a villain in the traditional sense. His transformation is physical, emotional and psychological, with each stage of his descent raising questions about how far a person can go when everything they value is taken away.
Revenge becomes the real monster
Revenge also plays a major role in Matt’s story.
Watkins sees it as something painfully human rather than purely villainous.
I find the dangers of revenge fascinating, because it’s also such a primal human instinct to want to right wrongs, he says.
That instinct becomes a driving force behind Matt’s downfall.
To some extent, we are all hostages to our primal urges and I thought this was an interesting element to Matt’s tragedy: to make the film ask whether we can control our emotions, or do they control us.
That question gives “Clayface” an emotional foundation beneath the grotesque imagery and horror set pieces.
The result is not simply a story about a man turning into a monster. It is about a man losing control of himself while desperately trying to reclaim what he believes was stolen from him.
More than jump scares
Audiences expecting a standard collection of horror beats may also be surprised.
Watkins says he is less interested in predictable scares and more drawn to horror that lingers.
Whether you call them horror or psychological thrillers, I like to operate in the space between those two things,” he says. “Doing clockwork scares doesn’t particularly interest me.
Instead, the filmmaker wants the fear to stay with viewers after the movie ends.
I want to have scares that get under your skin and that speak to anxieties we all share, so when you leave the theater, they stick with you more than just a jump scare.
Body horror gives him the perfect vehicle for that approach.
Body horror taps into such a primal fear – essentially fear of our bodies betraying us, Watkins says.
Combined with Matt’s fractured sense of identity and buried impulses, that fear gives the film room to explore both spectacle and character.
James Gunn on why horror fans are special
For James Gunn, horror also comes with another advantage: its audience.
I love making horror movies. It is a lot of fun. And I think horror fans are probably the nicest fans in the world, says the filmmaker.
He finds the contrast especially amusing.
There’s something about the vibe of people who like to watch this really crazy, scary stuff, who have this other side that’s just so nice.
That enthusiasm could make “Clayface” one of the more intriguing experiments in the growing DC Studios slate.
Rather than fitting neatly into one familiar superhero mold, the film leans into the unsettling, tragic and grotesque sides of a character whose story has always been ripe for horror.
A very different kind of DC movie
Written by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, with a story by Flanagan, “Clayface” also stars Naomi Ackie, David Dencik, Max Minghella, Eddie Marsan, Nancy Carroll and Joshua James.
The film is produced by Matt Reeves, Lynn Harris, James Gunn and Peter Safran, with Michael E. Uslan, Chantal Nong Vo, Lars P. Winther, Rafi Crohn and Paul Ritchie serving as executive producers.
Watkins’ creative team includes cinematographer Rob Hardy, production designer James Price, editor Jon Harris and costume designer Keith Madden. Music is by Volker Bertelmann.
DC Studios presents a 6th & Idaho Production, a James Watkins Film.
“Clayface” opens in cinemas internationally beginning October 21, 2026, with its North American theatrical release set for October 23, 2026. The film is rated R-18 by the MTRCB. Distributed locally by Warner Bros. Pictures.
PUMA continues to strengthen its presence in global motorsport by bridging high-speed racing with everyday street culture. To bring this dynamic energy closer to the local audience, PUMA hosted a delegation of Filipino celebrities and influencers in Singapore on October 7 for an exclusive meet-and-greet session with Formula 1 stars Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris.
From left to right: Chenee Jimenez, Derick Lauchengco, Julia Baretto, Andie Syyap, Dominique Roque, Miccolo Solis, Ruth Jimenez, Sofia Andres, Daniel Miranda, Macoy Averilla
Interactive Games with F1 Drivers
Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris
The group representing the Philippines included Julia Barretto, Dominic Roque, Macoy Averilla, Daniel Miranda, Sofia Andres, Chenee Jimenez, Derick Lauchengco, Andie Syyap, Miccolo Solis, and Ruth Jimenez.
Charles Leclerc and Dominic Roque Lando Norris and Miccolo Solis
During the exclusive session, the personalities experienced firsthand the high-energy atmosphere that defines PUMA’s F1 partnerships. Unlike a traditional viewing experience, the event’s highlight was the exclusive interactive games. Dominic Roque engaged in a game of Feather Chapteh, reminiscent of the traditional Filipino street game “sipa”, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Meanwhile, professional racer Daniel Miranda and content creator Miccolo Solis teamed up for a “Guess the Time” challenge with McLaren’s Lando Norris, testing their split-second racing instincts to accurately guess when the timer stopped.
Motorsport Meets Manila Street Style
Julia BarrettoSofia Andres
This gathering created a seamless cultural crossover, showcasing how the fast-paced world of F1 connects with the Philippine lifestyle and fashion communities. During the official livestream event, Julia Barretto brought the brand’s racing collections to life by showcasing her Ferrari fit, while Sofia Andres presented an exclusive McLaren fit check. These behind-the-scenes moments and driver interactions highlight how PUMA connects the local community with global sporting icons.
Driving the Future of Racing Lifestyle
From Left to Right: Andie Syyap, Chenee Jimenez, Derick Lauchengco, Dominique Roque, Daniel Miranda, Miccolo Solis, Macoy Averilla, Ruth Jimenez
The Singapore trip served as a natural, live showcase of the PUMA x F1 aesthetic. Throughout the event, the Filipino personalities blended motorsport-inspired apparel with their own distinct streetwear styles, demonstrating the everyday versatility of PUMA’s racing collections off the track.
PUMA Philippines Representatives with Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc
As F1 continues to grow in popularity across the Philippines, PUMA ensures that fans and fashion enthusiasts alike can express their passion for the sport through authentic, stylish apparel.
Catch the PUMA x F1 Singapore Highlights
Experience the intersection of speed and style. Follow PUMA Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for exclusive behind-the-scenes highlights and updates from the Singapore meet-and-greet.
