Filipino music is set to reach another major global stage as SB19 joins the lineup of Lollapalooza 2026.
The P-pop group is scheduled to perform on July 31, Philippine time, becoming the first homegrown Filipino act to appear at the renowned international music festival. Their participation marks another proud milestone for Philippine music and highlights the growing global influence of P-pop.
SB19 Brings Filipino Pride to Lollapalooza
Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin are ready to bring their signature energy, powerful performances, and unmistakable Mahalima spirit to the Lollapalooza stage.
For A’TIN, the upcoming performance is more than another festival appearance. It is a chance to witness SB19 represent Filipino talent before an international audience while continuing to open doors for P-pop artists around the world.
With their commanding stage presence and passionate fan base, SB19 is expected to deliver a memorable performance that celebrates both their journey and the strength of Filipino music.
Watch SB19 Live on Disney+ Philippines
Fans do not have to travel to experience the excitement.
Lollapalooza 2026 will stream live exclusively on Disney+ Philippines from July 31 to August 3, 2026. The livestream will begin at 3:45 AM each day, giving Filipino viewers the opportunity to catch festival performances from the comfort of home.
A’TIN can prepare their light sticks, set their alarms, and join fellow fans in supporting SB19 during this historic appearance.
A Milestone for P-Pop
SB19’s inclusion in the Lollapalooza lineup reflects the group’s continuing international growth. It also reinforces the rising presence of Filipino artists in the global music industry.
As the group takes on one of the world’s most recognizable festival stages, fans can look forward to a powerful celebration of talent, hard work, and Filipino pride.
Catch SB19 at Lollapalooza 2026 live on Disney+ Philippines beginning July 31.
Johnny Depp steps into the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in “Ebenezer,” a new holiday film directed by Ti West, best known for the acclaimed “X” trilogy.
The official trailer is now available, giving audiences their first look at Depp’s transformation into one of literature’s most recognizable characters. While the name may be familiar, the film teases a story that promises to offer something unexpected.
The Name You Know, the Story You Don’t
“Ebenezer” introduces a fresh interpretation of Scrooge, placing Johnny Depp at the center of a mysterious and visually striking holiday tale.
Directed by Ti West and written by Nathaniel Halpern, the film appears ready to bring a bold cinematic style to the legendary character. Its first trailer hints at a darker atmosphere, an intriguing story, and a version of Scrooge that audiences have not seen before.
With Depp leading the film, “Ebenezer” is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated holiday releases coming to cinemas.
Johnny Depp Leads an Impressive Cast
Joining Depp is a remarkable ensemble of established stars and rising performers.
The film also stars Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, Sam Claflin, Daisy Ridley, Arthur Conti, Ellie Bamber, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, and Charlie Murphy.
Tramell Tillman and Ian McKellen round out the cast, adding even more star power to the production.
Together, the ensemble brings considerable talent to this new take on the Scrooge story, raising expectations for a memorable holiday film filled with powerful performances.
Watch the Official “EBENEZER” Trailer
The newly released trailer offers a thrilling first glimpse at the film’s characters, atmosphere, and ambitious interpretation of Ebenezer Scrooge.
A new nightmare takes shape in the official trailer for Resident Evil, an original reimagining of the iconic horror franchise from Weapons and Barbarian filmmaker Zach Cregger.
This time, the story follows Bryan, a medical courier played by Austin Abrams, whose seemingly ordinary night quickly turns into a desperate fight for survival.
Watch the official trailer here:
A Routine Delivery Turns Into a Nightmare
Bryan is simply trying to get through another shift when everything around him begins to unravel.
As the night grows more dangerous, he is pulled into a relentless race through a city consumed by chaos. Monstrous beings stalk the streets, danger closes in from every direction, and every decision could mean the difference between survival and a horrifying end.
What begins as an uneventful delivery soon becomes a brutal test of instinct, endurance, and courage.
A Fresh Story Within the “Resident Evil” Universe
Written and directed by Zach Cregger, the upcoming film introduces an entirely new story while retaining the fear, tension, and survival-driven action associated with the Resident Evil franchise.
Rather than retelling familiar events, the film centers on a new character caught in a terrifying situation beyond his understanding. With Cregger behind the camera, audiences can expect a bold combination of atmospheric horror, frantic action, and shocking creature encounters.
The film also stars Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, and Paul Walter Hauser.
Survive the Night This September
The trailer offers a chilling glimpse at Bryan’s descent into chaos as one horrifying night spirals out of control.
With no clear escape and terrifying threats around every corner, survival will require more than speed. Bryan must stay alert, keep moving, and somehow make it through the night alive.
Resident Evil opens in Philippine cinemas, including IMAX, on September 16, 2026.
About “Resident Evil”
From visionary filmmaker Zach Cregger, the director of Weapons and Barbarian, comes a thrilling and terrifying reinvention of the Resident Evil franchise.
In this all-new story, Resident Evil follows Bryan, a medical courier who unwittingly finds himself trapped in an action-packed and non-stop race for survival. As one fateful night collapses into chaos, he must confront monstrous dangers and find a way to escape before it is too late.
From TriStar Pictures, Constantin Film, and Davis Films, Resident Evil arrives in Philippine cinemas on September 16, 2026. The film is scheduled to open internationally on September 18, 2026. Distributed locally by Columbia Pictures PH.
Directed by: Zach Cregger
Written by: Zach Cregger and Shay Hatten
Produced by: Robert Kulzer, Zach Cregger, Roy Lee, Miri Yoon, Victor Hadida, Asad Qizilbash, and Carter Swan
Executive Producers: Oliver Berben, Richard Wright, and Robert Bernacchi
Cast: Austin Abrams, Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, and Paul Walter Hauser
A mother’s face is supposed to bring comfort. In “Other Mommy,” it becomes the face of something terrifying.
Jessica Chastain takes on a chilling dual role in the upcoming supernatural horror film, playing both Ursula, the mother of a young girl named Bela, and a sinister entity that has copied her appearance.
Produced by James Wan and Blumhouse Atomic Monster, “Other Mommy” opens in Philippine cinemas on October 7.
A Familiar Face Hides a Dark Presence
At the center of the story is Bela, a young girl who begins interacting with a mysterious presence inside her home.
Looking almost exactly like Ursula, it slowly builds a relationship with Bela while creating fear, confusion, and suspicion within the family. What first appears familiar soon becomes deeply unsettling, especially as the entity’s true intentions begin to surface.
With the threat wearing the face of someone Bela trusts, separating love from danger becomes increasingly difficult.
Jessica Chastain Takes on Two Haunting Roles
Chastain portrays both Ursula and the supernatural being imitating her likeness.
Known for her performances in “Interstellar,” “Zero Dark Thirty,” and “It Chapter Two,” the multi-award-winning actress brings two strikingly different characters to life.
As Ursula, she plays a mother trying to protect her child from a threat that seems impossible to explain. As Other Mommy, she becomes the very source of that terror, turning a familiar voice, face, and presence into something sinister.
The result is a disturbing contrast between safety and fear, all embodied by the same actress.
“Other Mommy” is based on Josh Malerman’s 2024 New York Times bestselling novel, “Incidents Around the House.”
Malerman is also the author of “Bird Box,” the acclaimed horror novel that inspired a popular screen adaptation.
Told from the perspective of a child, “Incidents Around the House” explores family, trust, and the terror of realizing that something dangerous may already be living inside the home.
Its unsettling premise now comes to the big screen under the direction of Rob Savage.
A Strong Ensemble Enters Bela’s Nightmare
Joining Chastain in the film are Dichen Lachman of “Severance,” Arian Moayed of “Succession,” and Karen Allen of the “Indiana Jones” films.
Together, the cast brings Bela’s increasingly frightening world to life as the entity’s hold over the family grows stronger.
Behind the camera, producer James Wan lends his experience in modern horror to the project, while director Rob Savage brings the story’s childlike perspective and creeping dread to the screen.
As Bela becomes more attached to Other Mommy, the danger inside the house becomes harder to ignore.
And when the monster looks exactly like your mother, who can you trust?
Don’t Be Fooled by Her Face
“Other Mommy” transforms the image of a loving parent into the center of a supernatural nightmare.
With Jessica Chastain playing both protector and threat, the film promises a tense and unsettling horror experience built around one frightening question: What if the person who looks like your mother is not your mother at all?
“Other Mommy” opens in Philippine cinemas on October 7.
Warner Bros. Pictures has released the full trailer for “Clayface,” DC Studios’ first horror thriller and a dark new take on one of Gotham City’s most haunting villains.
Directed by James Watkins, the film stars Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen, a rising Hollywood actor whose pursuit of healing transforms him into the terrifying figure known as Clayface.
Written by horror favorite Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, “Clayface” opens exclusively in Philippine cinemas on October 21, 2026.
Watch the full trailer here:
From Gotham Street Kid to Hollywood Star
Matt Hagen’s extraordinary journey begins on the streets of Gotham before taking him all the way to Hollywood.
After becoming a leading man, his meteoric rise is tragically cut short when the actions of a local crime boss leave him horribly disfigured. Abandoned by his team and seemingly left with nothing, Matt turns to an experimental, cutting-edge treatment.
At first, the procedure appears miraculous. It restores Matt to his former self and seemingly gives him another chance at the life he lost.
However, the treatment comes with devastating consequences.
As Matt’s grip on reality begins to weaken, his pain and anger push him toward an all-consuming quest for revenge. What follows is a disturbing transformation that may leave Gotham facing one of its most unpredictable threats yet.
A New Kind of DC Studios Film
Blending psychological horror, body horror and crime-thriller elements, “Clayface” presents a chilling exploration of ambition, identity and obsession.
The film marks a bold new direction for DC Studios, bringing a horror-focused story to the big screen while placing one of Batman’s most fascinating adversaries at its center.
Joining Tom Rhys Harries are Naomi Ackie, David Dencik, Max Minghella and Eddie Marsan, along with Nancy Carroll and Joshua James.
The Creative Team Behind “Clayface”
James Watkins directs the film from a screenplay by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, with the story by Flanagan. The movie is based on characters from DC.
“Clayface” is produced by Matt Reeves, Lynn Harris, James Gunn and Peter Safran. Executive producers include Michael E. Uslan, Chantal Nong Vo, Lars P. Winther, Rafi Crohn and Paul Ritchie.
Watkins is joined by an accomplished creative team that includes director of photography Rob Hardy, production designer James Price, editor Jon Harris and costume designer Keith Madden. The film’s music is composed by Volker Bertelmann.
DC Studios presents a 6th & Idaho production, a James Watkins film, “Clayface.”
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, “Clayface” opens exclusively in Philippine cinemas on October 21, 2026. The film arrives in North American theaters on October 23, 2026.
Looking for your next cinema pick? This week’s lineup delivers an exciting mix of imaginative adventures, supernatural chills, edge-of-your-seat suspense, and inspiring drama. Opening in cinemas this week are the dark fantasy Pinocchio: Unstrung, the touching family story I, Object, the supernatural horror Lockbox, the crime thriller Tuner, and the uplifting historical drama Dastaar. Whether you’re planning a movie date, a family outing, or a horror-filled night with your barkadas, this week’s new releases offer something for every kind of moviegoer.
Here are the new movies opening in cinemas this week.
A remarkable talent becomes the key to a dangerous new life.
Known for his exceptional precision as a piano tuner, a gifted young man unexpectedly discovers he possesses another rare ability: opening safes. His newfound skill draws him into a criminal underworld where every decision carries greater risks.
With a compelling premise and an acclaimed cast led by Leo Woodall and Dustin Hoffman, Tuner delivers a stylish thriller filled with tension, suspense, and unexpected twists.
A terrifying supernatural force targets a troubled young man, leaving his cousin with only one choice: protect him at all costs.
As the mysterious entity grows stronger, long-buried secrets begin to surface, forcing them into a desperate fight for survival. Lockbox blends supernatural horror with emotional family stakes, creating a suspense-filled experience from beginning to end.
2026 • PG • 1h 31m DRAMA, FAMILY, FANTASY GET SHOWTIMES
Ten-year-old Tom struggles to move forward after losing his father. Feeling disconnected from the people around him, he finds comfort in ordinary household objects that unexpectedly come to life and begin speaking to him.
As pop can lids, suitcases, and other everyday items guide him through his grief, Tom slowly discovers that healing can come from the most unexpected places. I, Object is a heartwarming fantasy about loss, hope, and finding connection again.
2026 • R-13 • 2h 27m ACTION, DRAMA, HISTORY GET SHOWTIMES
Inspired by resilience in the face of hate, Dastaar follows a Sikh immigrant whose life changes after a devastating racist attack. Refusing to let tragedy define him, he rises from being a newcomer to becoming a respected leader within his community.
Blending action with heartfelt drama, the film tells a powerful story about courage, identity, and the strength to create positive change.
Forget everything you know about the beloved wooden puppet.
In this chilling reimagining, Pinocchio is manipulated by a sinister Cricket and embarks on a brutal quest to become a real boy like his brother James. Guided by dark influences instead of good intentions, his transformation becomes a horrifying journey filled with mystery and violence.
Fans of twisted fairy tales and supernatural horror will find plenty of surprises in Pinocchio: Unstrung.
What’s On Your Movie List This Week?
From the haunting fantasy of Pinocchio: Unstrung and the emotional journey of I, Object to the supernatural suspense of Lockbox, the gripping crime story of Tuner, and the inspiring drama of Dastaar, this week’s lineup offers a memorable mix of genres for every movie fan.
Grab your favorite snacks, round up your barkadas, and secure your tickets to experience the best of global storytelling the way it was meant to be seen!
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!
The 22nd Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival will open and close with two internationally recognized films that capture the complexity of Filipino lives.
Leading the festival is Enjoy Your Stay, a moving drama about a Filipina migrant worker determined to reunite with her daughter. Bringing the celebration to a close is Filipiñana, a gripping coming-of-age story set inside an exclusive country club where privilege, violence, and buried truths quietly collide.
Though different in tone and setting, both films place Filipino women at the heart of stories shaped by sacrifice, survival, and difficult choices.
Directed by Dominik Locher and Honee Alipio, Enjoy Your Stay follows Luz, a Filipina who has spent years working as an undocumented cleaner in Switzerland.
Alongside her friend Aileen and other Filipina migrant workers, Luz lives under the constant threat of being discovered and deported. Every day is uncertain, yet she continues to endure the risks in the hope of securing a better future for her daughter in the Philippines.
Her life takes a dramatic turn when she sees her former husband appear on a Filipino reality television program with their six-year-old child.
Overwhelmed by fear and desperation, Luz makes a promise on live television. She vows to return home in time for her daughter’s birthday.
Keeping that promise, however, proves far more difficult than she expected.
With little savings and mounting debt, Luz is forced to search for ways to earn enough money before time runs out. As the pressure grows, she begins making choices that test her loyalty to her community and push her beyond her own moral limits.
At its core, Enjoy Your Stay examines the emotional and financial cost of migration. It also reflects the painful realities faced by overseas Filipino workers who leave their families behind in pursuit of stability.
Mercedes Cabral leads the cast as Luz. She is joined by Anna Luna, Hasmine Killip, Irma Adlawan, Donna Cariaga, and Madeleine Nicolas.
Co-produced by Close Up Films and JBA Production, the film had its world premiere in the Panorama section of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival in Germany on February 14, 2026.
The film will be shown free to the public on August 6, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. at Red Carpet Cinemas 1 and 2 in Shangri-La Plaza.
Cinemalaya 22 will conclude with Filipiñana, directed by Rafael Manuel.
The film follows Isabel, played by Jorrybell Agoto, a teenage employee working at an exclusive country club. While navigating the routines of her job, she becomes fascinated by the club’s president, Dr. Palanca, portrayed by Teroy Guzman.
What begins as a seemingly innocent attraction soon leads Isabel toward troubling discoveries.
Behind the country club’s polished image and carefully maintained grounds lies a history shaped by control, violence, and silence. As Isabel uncovers more about the people around her, she begins to understand that her connection to Dr. Palanca is tied to something far darker than admiration.
The film explores how institutions can hide abuse beneath respectability. It also examines class, authority, exploitation, and the ways power can influence memory and truth.
Filipiñana expands on Manuel’s acclaimed 2020 short film of the same title. The feature-length version had its world premiere in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival in January.
As the official closing film of Cinemalaya 22, Filipiñana will be screened on August 16, 2026, at 8:30 p.m. at Red Carpet Cinemas 1 and 2 in Shangri-La Plaza.
Regular tickets are priced at ₱350, while student tickets are available for ₱250.
Stories That Mirror Filipino Realities
This year’s festival carries the theme “Cinemalaya 22: Reel Reflections.”
Through Enjoy Your Stay and Filipiñana, the festival turns its attention to stories that reflect the lived experiences of Filipino women and the communities that shape them.
Luz’s journey reveals the sacrifices, isolation, and moral struggles that often come with migrant labor. Isabel’s story, meanwhile, exposes the hidden tensions between privilege and power inside a seemingly perfect institution.
Both films challenge audiences to look beyond appearances.
More importantly, they show how personal struggles are often connected to larger social realities, including poverty, migration, class inequality, gender, authority, and survival.
Screening and Ticket Details
Tickets for the opening and closing film screenings will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis two hours before each scheduled screening.
Peter Parker faces one of his most emotional battles yet as MJ and Ned return to New York in the final trailer for “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” arriving in Philippine cinemas on July 29.
Four years have passed since Peter, played by Tom Holland, made the ultimate sacrifice to save the world. To protect everyone, he erased himself from the memories of every person who knew him, including the two people closest to him, MJ, played by Zendaya, and Ned, played by Jacob Batalon.
While Peter remained in New York and devoted himself to fighting crime full-time as Spider-Man, MJ and Ned attended the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After enjoying what they describe as the best years of their lives, the pair have graduated and moved back to New York.
Peter tries not to look at their social media posts too often. Still, with their return approaching, he cannot help checking in on them from afar.
“Peter has been telling himself that he’s let MJ and Ned go,” producer Amy Pascal says, “but he never has, and he’s checking on them all the time.”
One of the filmmakers’ key goals was to move MJ and Ned forward in time. The story recognizes that several years have passed, with an opening montage following the characters through college and into early adulthood.
They remain the familiar personalities audiences have grown to love, but their experiences have clearly changed them. No longer teenagers navigating high school, MJ and Ned are now young adults shaped by independence, responsibility, and personal growth.
“This is a new chapter in MJ’s and Ned’s lives,” says Zendaya. “When they move back to New York, they must figure out how to become adults. That idea resonated with me because I remember when I was trying to figure out who I wanted to be in the world. It’s a pivotal time for MJ and Ned, as it is for most people.”
Batalon says it is difficult for Peter to accept that his former friends are entering adulthood without him.
“They’ve been inseparable all through school,” Batalon says. “Peter is undergoing a major transformation and MJ and Ned are oblivious; they’re living their lives with no recollection of the guy who had been with them every step of the way.”
According to Batalon, Peter is forced to fight back his emotions while deciding how to move forward alone.
“Peter is fighting back the emotions of seeing Ned and MJ, and he’s trying to decide how to move forward, alone. Most of all, Peter doesn’t want to re-engage with his friends because that’s part of his evolution as Spider-Man. Still, he must keep them safe, even if it’s from afar.”
Peter Parker on the Outside Looking In
Unable to reconnect with the people he loves, Peter buries himself in his responsibilities as Spider-Man.
“Peter is miserable about no longer being able to connect with them,” Holland says.
Living with MJ and Ned while figuring out adulthood together had always been one of Peter’s dreams. Now, he can only watch as they build new lives without him.
“But now he’s on the outside, looking in, and it’s torturous for Peter,” says director Destin Daniel Cretton. “He’s clearly yearning to be part of this but knows how dangerous it would be if he tried to trigger their memories.”
After all, no one can be completely safe while knowing Spider-Man’s true identity, especially MJ and Ned.
Can an Emotional Connection Survive Lost Memories?
The consequences of MJ and Ned’s memory loss became one of the biggest creative questions the filmmakers had to address.
“What happens if your memory is erased about someone you love deeply? That can happen in real life, of course, when a loved one suffers from dementia or Alzheimer’s.”
He explains that certain sounds, feelings, or experiences can sometimes awaken a sense of connection, even when specific memories are gone.
“But there are also so many instances of people with these kinds of memory loss who do experience something – it can be sparked by a piece of music or an unspecified feeling – that tells us that some kind of connection is still there. All this made the story’s more fantastical ideas feel relatable.”
Zendaya also believes that MJ and Ned may sense an unexplained absence in their lives.
“My suspicion is that MJ and Ned have a feeling that something in their lives is missing,” she shares. “I don’t think MJ knows exactly what’s missing, but she senses that things are not quite right.”
Growing Up Means Growing Apart
The difficult transitions Peter, MJ, and Ned face as they move from student life into adulthood may also resonate with audiences.
“Relationships change when you leave high school or college and your school group,” says producer Kevin Feige. “For Peter Parker, it was a seismic change because everyone, including his closest friends, have forgotten him. It’s a journey for Peter that’s rich in emotion and pathos.”
Alongside Holland, Zendaya, and Batalon, “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” also stars Sadie Sink, Jon Bernthal, Michael Mando, Tramell Tillman, and Mark Ruffalo.
Disney+ has released the official trailer for FX’s “The Shards,” offering viewers a striking first look at the seductive new drama from executive producer Ryan Murphy.
Adapted from the acclaimed bestselling novel by Bret Easton Ellis, the series will debut with its first two episodes on Thursday, August 6, at 9:00 a.m., exclusively on Disney+ Philippines.
Privilege, Obsession, and Fear Collide
Set in the sun-soaked yet sinister world of 1980s Los Angeles, “The Shards” follows a group of wealthy high school seniors attending an elite preparatory school.
On the surface, their lives appear effortless. They move through a world filled with lavish parties, beauty, status, and excess. Beneath the glamour, however, jealousy, desire, and obsession begin to expose the cracks in their seemingly perfect lives.
As the teenagers struggle with identity, relationships, and the pressures of adolescence, a far more terrifying threat begins to close in.
A Mysterious Arrival Changes Everything
At the center of the story is Bret, played by Igby Rigney, an observant teenager with dreams of becoming a writer.
Bret carefully studies the people and events around him, but his grip on reality begins to weaken after the arrival of Robert Mallory, portrayed by Homer Gere.
Charismatic, secretive, and impossible to ignore, Robert transfers to the school shortly before senior year. His appearance coincides with the growing panic surrounding The Trawler, a serial killer targeting teenagers throughout Los Angeles.
With each new incident, Bret becomes increasingly suspicious of Robert. What begins as curiosity soon develops into a consuming fixation, blurring the line between instinct, paranoia, and dangerous obsession.
A Glamorous Group Pulled into Darkness
Bret is surrounded by an affluent and tightly connected social circle made up of Susan Reynolds, played by Kaia Gerber; Debbie Schaffer, played by Hayes Warner; and Thom Wright, played by Graham Campbell.
Together, they move through a polished world of privilege, temptation, and hidden tensions. Their friendships are tested as fear spreads across the city and the darker side of their relationships comes into focus.
The promise of their youth also stands in sharp contrast to the troubled adults around them.
Wes Bentley stars as Terry Schaffer, while Evan Rachel Wood plays Liz Schaffer. Jordan Roth joins the cast as Steven Reinhardt.
As secrets build and suspicions intensify, the characters are drawn further into a world where beauty can conceal danger and desire can have deadly consequences.
Ryan Murphy and Bret Easton Ellis Join Creative Forces
“The Shards” unites the distinctive storytelling styles of Ryan Murphy and Bret Easton Ellis, two creators known for exploring provocative characters, complicated relationships, and the darker corners of American culture.
The series is executive produced by Murphy, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Bret Easton Ellis, Eric Kovtun, Scott Robertson, Nissa Diederich, Tanase Popa, Nick Hall, Michael Uppendahl, Max Winkler, Kathleen McCaffrey, and Brian Young.
Starring acclaimed actresses Jodi Sta. Maria and Agot Isidro, the upcoming film centers on an estranged mother and daughter whose complicated reunion brings long-buried wounds, family secrets, and unresolved emotions back to the surface.
A Picture-Perfect Family Moment With a Hidden Story
The newly released key art features a stunning beach portrait of a typical extended Filipino family. At first glance, the image appears warm, joyful, and picture-perfect.
Look a little closer, however, and the family gathering seems to suggest that something deeper is hiding beneath the smiles.
That contrast captures the heart of Ganito, Ganyan, Ganoon, a story about the love, tension, humor, and emotional baggage that can exist within one family at the same time.
Jodi Sta. Maria Plays a Woman Forced to Face Her Past
Directed by Cholo H. Laurel, the film follows Joanne, or Jo, played by Sta. Maria. Jo is a successful television writer standing on the edge of a career-defining opportunity.
Her plans are disrupted by the unexpected return of her mother, forcing Jo to confront painful memories from her childhood. These buried wounds have shaped her choices, relationships, and identity well into adulthood.
“She’s accomplished, she’s intelligent, she’s very strong, but the question is ‘why’?” Sta. Maria said of her character. “What motivated this character to be the way she is?”
Agot Isidro Brings a Mysterious Mother to Life
Opposite Sta. Maria is Isidro as Paz, a formidable woman carrying secrets of her own.
Paz’s return to the Philippines sets the story in motion, but the decades she spent living in New York remain wrapped in mystery. As the film unfolds, Jo begins piecing together the truth about her mother’s past and the choices that changed their family forever.
Complex, unpredictable, and emotionally guarded, Paz becomes both the source of Jo’s questions and the key to finally answering them.
A Filipino Family Story Filled With Love and Dysfunction
While Ganito, Ganyan, Ganoon embraces the emotional pull of a familiar Filipino family narrative, it also highlights the distinct dysfunctions that make every family experience unique.
These are the misunderstandings that divide relatives, the secrets that linger for years, and the shared history that continues to pull people back together.
Speaking at the Next on Netflix Philippines event in February, Laurel praised Netflix for giving the production room to honor its creative vision.
“They were willing to give it the creative freedom that we needed to be able to stay faithful to the vision,” the director said.
A Powerful Ensemble Cast
Sta. Maria and Isidro are joined by a compelling mix of familiar and emerging talents.
The ensemble cast includes Gabriel Lazaro, Gardo Versoza, Ruby Ruiz, RK Bagatsing, Mitch Valdez, and Angel Aquino.
Together, they bring to life a family shaped by profound love, tentative resentments, hilarious chaos, and lingering regrets.
Funny, painful, and deeply relatable, Ganito, Ganyan, Ganoon promises an intimate portrait of a quintessential Filipino family, where affection and conflict often occupy the same room.
