Category: Movies

New Movies This Week: Freakier Friday, Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy, Lola Barang, Materialists, Weapons, and More!

It’s New Movie Wednesday, and the lineup is wild in the best way. Freakier Friday brings another round of mother-daughter body-swapping chaos. Lola Barang taps into local folk horror with a revenge story that creeps under your skin. In Materialists, a NYC matchmaker faces a messy love triangle, while Meg & Ryan charms with a whimsical Filipino romance born from a playful bet. For action-packed thrills, Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy turns a web novel into a reality-bending apocalypse, and Weapons delivers a chilling mystery that’ll have you questioning everything.

Whether you’re after laughs, gasps, or swoons, this week’s new releases bring a mix of fantasy, fright, and heart, all waiting to be experienced on the big screen. Rally your crew, and let’s take a closer look at what’s now showing in cinemas.

Freakier Friday

2025 • PG• 1 hr 50 mins
COMEDY, FAMILY, FANTASY
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Guess who’s back in each other’s shoes—again? Years after that unforgettable mother-daughter switcheroo. Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis return for another round of hilarious body-swapping chaos, this time with a next-generation twist! Anna’s now a mom, and just when family life starts to get complicated, the universe decides it’s time for another reality-flipping lesson. Expect laughs, heartfelt moments, and a nostalgic nod to the 2003 classic.

Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy

2025 • PG• 1 hr 56 mins
ACTION, ADVENTURE, FANTASY
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A web novel becomes a terrifying reality in Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy. Ahn Hyo-seop stars as Kim Dok-ja, an office worker who suddenly finds himself the only one who knows how the world ends, after the apocalyptic web novel he reads begins to unfold. Lee Min-ho and Chae Soo-bin join him in this action-packed, fantasy adventure filled with high stakes and life-or-death decisions. Fans of K-drama and fantasy will love this.

Lola Barang

2025 • R-16• 1 hr 28 mins
HORROR
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Step into the eerie world of Filipino horror with Lola Barang, where a director’s betrayal of a folk healer sets off a terrifying revenge plot. Gina Pareño, known for her chilling performances, stars as Lola Barbara, whose wrath is as fearsome as the ghost stories she tells. Ronnie Lazaro plays the filmmaker who regrets breaking his promise. Get ready for a dark and twisted tale of supernatural retribution.

Materialists

2025 • R-13• 1 hr 59 mins
ROMANCE
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Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal star in this romantic drama about a successful New York matchmaker who finds herself torn between her perfect match and an imperfect ex. As Lucy navigates her love life, Chris Evans brings his signature charm to the role of her dependable but complicated ex, while Pedro Pascal adds his flair as her perfect new match. This film will have you questioning the fine line between love and destiny.

Meg & Ryan

2025 • R-13• 1 hr 46 mins
COMEDY, DRAMA, ROMANCE
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This rom-com is about a bet that leads to an unexpected connection between two strangers. Rhian Ramos and JC Santos star as Meg and Ryan, whose chance encounter leads them on a rollercoaster ride of fun and heart. With a whimsical premise and playful energy, this charming film will make you root for love in the most unexpected places.

Weapons

2025 • R-16• 2 hrs 8 mins
HORROR, MYSTERY
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Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, and Alden Ehrenreich star in this mind-bending horror thriller about a town rocked by the mysterious disappearance of a class of children. The only one left behind is a student who must help unravel the chilling mystery. Directed by Zach Cregger of Barbarian fame, this film promises a suspenseful, twist-filled ride that horror fans won’t want to miss.

FAN FAVORITES STILL SHOWING

Missed last week’s releases? No worries, these crowd-pleasers are still packing theaters with action, laughs, and heart. Here’s what’s holding strong:

I Know What You Did Last Summer

2025 • R-16• 1 hr 53 mins
HORROR, MYSTERY, THRILLER
GET SHOWTIMES

How To Get Away From My Toxic Family

2025 • PG • 1 hr 44 mins
DRAMA
GET SHOWTIMES

Lasting Moments

2025 • PG • 1 hr 56 mins
DRAMA, ROMANCE
GET SHOWTIMES

P77

2025 • R-13 • 1 hr 43 mins
THRILLER
GET SHOWTIMES

The Bad Guys 2

2025 • PG • 1 hr 43 mins
ADVENTURE, ANIMATION, COMEDY
GET SHOWTIMES

The Fantastic Four: First Steps

2025 • PG • 2 hrs 10 mins
ADVENTURE, SCIENCE FICTION
BUY TICKETS

Sunshine

2025 • R-16 • 1 hr 31 mins
DRAMA
GET SHOWTIMES

Superman

2025 • PG • 2 hrs 10 mins
ACTION, ADVENTURE, SCIENCE FICTION
GET SHOWTIMES

Jurassic World Rebirth

2025 • PG • 2 hrs 13 mins
ACTION, ADVENTURE, SCIENCE FICTION
GET SHOWTIMES

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!

August 6, 2025
Movie Review: Too Much Plot and Chaos Ruin ‘The Bad Guys 2’ and Stop It From Being as Fun and Refreshing as Its Predecessor

I loved ‘The Bad Guys.’ I thought the animation and design were arresting. The script was quick, clever, and funny. It featured some extremely strong voice acting performances – Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Awkwafina, Zazie Beetz, Craig Robinson, and Anthony Ramos – which added so much character of the overall film. It was refreshing, surprising, action-packed, and had an intricate caper plot that pulled off what it set out to do and more.

So I was excited to catch the sequel, simply called ‘The Bad Guys 2,” which is a refreshing change, considering how most franchises add subtitles to help identify one movie after the next. But to my disappointment, ‘The Bad Guys 2’ wasn’t able to match its predecessor, much less exceed the standard it had set forth.

The film begins with a prologue, a flashback where Piranha (Ramos) is on his first mission with the Bad Guys. It’s a simple enough caper, not too many moving parts, but obviously done to help refresh the audience’s memory of who they were before the events of the first film turned them into good guys. The whole sequence is loud, messy, and bombastic, and felt like it was directed to capture the attention of the audience, keep children’s focus on the chaos on the screen and keep others from reaching for their phones.

It’s messy because it lacks the style and flair that the first film displayed. It’s chaos for chaos’ sake. Just a funny sequence to remind us who the characters are and where they came from.

Then the title card appears, and the film now shows us The Bad Guys, who are now good, but unemployed. No matter how hard they try, they can’t seem to get a job because of their history as criminals. As an animated film, it does offer up an interesting storyline about redemption in the modern age. Can criminals be rehabilitated? Is it worth giving them a second chance? What sort of discrimination do they face because of their troubled past? These questions are briefly explored until the Bad Guys decide to use their skills to stop a new thief, the Phantom Bandit, who is making waves with a string of thefts. They hope to catch them, bring them over to the police, and prove to everyone they’ve changed.

But things go awry when the Phantom Bandit was ready for them and turned the tables to make it look like the Bad Guys was the Phantom Bandit all along and proved everyone’s biases against them right. Now, the Bad Guys have to go in hiding and and find a way to clear their names.

What follows is one big sequence after another as the Bad Guys get caught in the Phantom Bandit’s web. How does a thief outsmart another thief? And do they even want to, when the whole world is against them and won’t believe they’ve changed?

This could have played out wonderfully if director Pierre Perifel and screenwriters Yoni Brenner and Etan Cohen hadn’t gone overboard with the plot and kept the film personal and a character study, much like the first film. Instead, ‘The Bad Guys 2’ is overloaded with plot, with two more capers snuck in-between its huge finale piece in an environment that just feels so big that it feels so far removed from what made the original so endearing.

In fact, there are still a lot of really cute little moments that work. Outside bells and whistles of the movie’s overdrawn plot – it’s the little moments between Wolf (Rockwell) and Fox (Beetz), or some of the dialogue (which feels spontaneous and sounds improvised) by Shark (Robinson), Webs (Awkwafina) and Piranha – the characters are what really makes this concept work and when they are spending too much time with the bigness of the film, we don’t get to enjoy the stuff really worth enjoying in the premise, which is how the team works together to save the day.

My Rating:

The Bad Guys 2 is still showing in cinemas. Get showtimes here.

August 6, 2025
When Everything Falls Apart, Love Puts the Pieces Back Together — Watch the Trailer for “Regretting You”
Secrets. Silence. Second chances.

When life unravels, it’s love that threads us back together.

The first official trailer for Regretting You—the highly anticipated film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s beloved novel—is finally here. Directed by The Fault in Our Stars’ Josh Boone, the film stars Mckenna Grace, Allison Williams, Mason Thames, Dave Franco, Scott Eastwood, and Willa Fitzgerald, and will open exclusively in cinemas this October 22.

From Bestseller to Big Screen

Millions of readers held their breath with every page of Regretting You. Now, they’ll get to witness that same heartbreak and hope play out in theaters.

At the center of the story are Morgan Grant (Williams) and her teenage daughter Clara (Grace)—two women navigating a storm of grief and betrayal after a devastating accident changes their lives forever. As painful truths come to light, they must confront the lies they’ve believed, the people they thought they knew, and ultimately, the love that still remains.

Watch the Trailer Now:

A Journey Through Pain, Forgiveness, and Growth

What begins as a story about tragedy becomes a deeply human tale of resilience, self-discovery, and mother-daughter healing.

Tensions mount as Morgan and Clara uncover shocking betrayals and long-buried family secrets. But amid the wreckage, they find something else too: the possibility of starting over.

With emotionally charged performances and a grounded script by Susan McMartin, Regretting You strikes a balance between heartbreak and healing, reminding us that even the deepest wounds can mend—with time, truth, and tenderness.

All-Star Cast & Creative Team
- Allison Williams as Morgan Grant
- Mckenna Grace as Clara
- Mason Thames as Miller
- Dave Franco as Jonah
- Scott Eastwood, Willa Fitzgerald, Sam Morelos, and Clancy Brown
The film is based on the novel by Colleen Hoover and produced by Brunson Green, Anna Todd, and Flavia Viotti, alongside executive producers including Colleen Hoover, Mckenna Grace, Dave Franco, and Allison Williams.

Official Poster Now Out

Along with the trailer, a brand new poster has been unveiled—featuring our leads in a poignant portrait that captures the tone of the film: raw, emotional, and real.

Don’t Miss It

Whether you’ve read the book or are discovering this story for the first time, Regretting You promises to leave a lasting impact. Mark your calendars for October 22, and get ready for a movie that will move you, challenge you, and ultimately lift you up.

#RegrettingYouMovie
@paramountpicsph

_{Photo and Video Credit: “Paramount Pictures International”}
August 6, 2025
It’s a Battle of Hearts in “Materialists” with Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal – Premiering August 6

Hollywood Heartthrobs Collide in a Modern Romance

Celine Song, the visionary behind the Oscar-nominated Past Lives, returns with another stirring tale of love, timing, and self-worth in Materialists — opening in Philippine cinemas this August 6.

After securing Dakota Johnson as the magnetic Lucy, Song set her sights on building the perfect trio — and found it in Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal.

Chris Evans as John: Imperfectly Perfect

Evans takes on the role of John, Lucy’s broke but big-hearted ex, whose emotional vulnerability and charm make him impossible to forget. Director Celine Song recalls their first meeting with emotional clarity.

“I walked away from that conversation knowing that in his humility, his passion, his dedication to his craft… there was something about the way he was talking to me about his love and his work, his ambitions, the places he felt certain and the places he felt uncertain. It was very moving to me, it’s a feeling that doesn’t leave you.”

Evans was equally inspired by Song’s storytelling style, especially her ability to turn ordinary scenes into deeply resonant moments.

“What Celine is so good at is taking scenes that feel simple, but are still incredibly deep and complex,” Evans says. “Those moments that maybe we’ve seen in romances, she has a way of making every moment feel the way it feels to us in life, which is special and personal and meaningful and complex and lasting.”

Pedro Pascal as Harry: Charisma Meets Calculated Charm

Enter Pedro Pascal as Harry — Lucy’s rich, charismatic suitor who seems like the ideal match. On paper, he’s the dream partner: successful, charming, and emotionally intelligent. But Song wanted Harry to have more than just the allure of luxury — he needed depth.

“Harry wants to be the most valuable version of himself, and he has a lot in common with Lucy on that level,” Song says. “They’re really clear about their own value, and they also believe in improving it, which is why I think Harry and Lucy respect each other so much.”

That emotional duality came alive when Song and Pascal had an unexpected conversation.

“Pedro I’ve known and loved for a while, but one day we were having a conversation that went very deep about the holiness of love — and the insane difficulty of love, love as a challenge — and I just realized then and there that I was talking to Harry.”

Meet Lucy: The Matchmaker Caught Between Two Loves

At the heart of Materialists is Lucy — a pragmatic, ambitious matchmaker living in fast-paced New York City. When fate throws her into the orbit of both her old flame and a seemingly perfect new suitor, she must navigate the messy, magical terrain of love, ambition, and identity.

The film poses a relatable question: Do we fall for who we want… or who we need?

Watch the First Look

Get your first taste of the chemistry and emotional tension that drives Materialists. Watch the “First Look” featurette here:

Catch It First in Cinemas!

Materialists opens in Philippine cinemas this August 6 and distributed by Columbia Pictures PH. With a powerhouse cast, emotionally rich storytelling, and a stylish backdrop of modern romance, this film is set to steal hearts — and maybe even break a few.

Will Lucy choose love, or logic? Find out in Materialists. Check showtimes and buy your tickets here.

_{Photo & Video Credit: “Columbia Pictures”}

August 5, 2025
“Weapons” Earns 100% Fresh Rating: Zach Cregger’s New Horror-Thriller to Terrify Cinemas This August 6

Hold onto your seats—horror fans are in for a wild, mind-bending ride. The new thriller Weapons, written and directed by Zach Cregger (the visionary behind the cult sensation Barbarian), has critics buzzing with excitement. Even before its theatrical debut, the film has achieved a rare feat: a 100% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Opening exclusively in cinemas and IMAX on August 6, Weapons is already shaping up to be one of the most talked-about horror releases of the year.

“You Won’t Know What’s Coming”

“It’s so rare to watch a movie and not know where it’s going, what’s going to happen,” says Zach Cregger, writer/director/producer of horror/thriller “Weapons.” “And I feel confident that that’s the case with ‘Weapons.’”

That confidence seems justified. Early reviews are unanimous in their praise, applauding the film’s originality, terrifying atmosphere, and unexpected twists.

Josh Brolin

A “Scary-Yet-Funny Blockbuster” with a Puzzle-Box Plot

IGN describes Weapons as:

“an absolutely delicious, scary-yet-funny blockbuster that never lets up.” The film weaves a chilling mystery around a mass disappearance in a small town, using a clever time-scrambling structure to deliver suspenseful, character-driven cliffhangers. The result? A finale that hits hard—and lingers.

Julia Garner

A Macabre Masterpiece with Heart

SlashFilm calls it:

“A wonderful mixture of bad vibes and macabre fun, ‘Weapons’ is one of the best horror movies of the year, and further confirmation that writer-director Zach Cregger is one of the most exciting voices in the genre right now,”

And according to CinemaBlend’s glowing 5-star review, Weapons is:

“It’s intimate while also being epic, it’s scary while expertly utilizing humor as punctuation, and even the most dedicated cinephiles will be rocked by its surprises. It’s perfect and a must-see,”

The Mystery: One Night. One Child Left. A Town Torn Apart.

The story kicks off with an unthinkable event: every child from a single class mysteriously vanishes—except one. As the town spirals into paranoia and grief, the question looms: who (or what) is behind it all?

Weapons stars an impressive cast, including Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Cary Christopher, Benedict Wong, and Amy Madigan.

Catch the official trailer here:

Experience the Mystery. Feel the Terror.

See it on the big screen only—Weapons opens August 6 in cinemas and IMAX.

Join the growing mystery at MaybrookMissing.com, and don’t forget to use #WeaponsMovie to be part of the conversation.

_{Photo & Video Credit: “Warner Bros. Pictures”}

August 4, 2025
Bob Odenkirk Is Returns as Hutch in “Nobody 2” — The Explosive, Unexpected Family Vacation Movie of the Year

Family vacations just got a serious upgrade.

Bob Odenkirk is back as Hutch Mansell in Nobody 2, the highly-anticipated sequel to the 2021 sleeper hit. In this next chapter, Hutch is trying—emphasis on trying—to balance his role as a family man with his not-so-average day job: professional assassin.

This time, he’s packing heat and sunscreen as he takes his wife and kids on a supposedly chill getaway to Wild Bill’s Majestic Midway and Waterpark. But when small-town bullies cross the wrong guy, things spiral into chaos involving a corrupt sheriff, a shady theme park owner, and a crime boss who’s anything but subtle.

Vacation Mode: Off

The filmmakers knew they needed to turn up the heat—and the stakes—for the sequel.

“Three years have passed since the events of the first film, and we see how Hutch and his family have evolved,” producer Kelly McCormick says. “They went through a lot in the first film and with Nobody 2 they go through even more.”

That “more” includes high-octane action scenes, hilarious mishaps, and a family bonding experience like no other—complete with explosions.

Work-Life Balance… With a Body Count

Producer Marc Provissiero puts it best:

“The challenge in a sequel is, once the genie is out of the bottle, how do you tell a compelling story and create suspense,” producer Marc Provissiero says. “We know that Hutch has a particular set of skills. We decided to show the challenge and create themes around work-life balance. Even with the job that Hutch does, he’s still got to come home to a family. That evolves the story into universal relevance.”le.”

And relatable it is. Who hasn’t struggled with maintaining boundaries between work and home? Hutch just does it with blood, bruises, and bullets.

Watch the Trailer now:

More Action, More Laughs, More Heart

Actor and producer Bob Odenkirk promises Nobody 2 goes harder—and deeper.

“Nobody 2 is a bigger film, and it’s been a bigger job,” star and producer Odenkirk says. “I had extra responsibility trying to make the story work, and there’s just a lot more to it. There’s more fighting, character, story; there’s more everything.” The result, Odenkirk says, is a film that is “powerful, funny, surprising, out of control, bloody—and sweet.”

The end result? “It’s powerful, funny, surprising, out of control, bloody—and sweet.”

So gear up for a rollercoaster vacation gone haywire. Hutch Mansell is back, and this time, he’s got his entire family in tow.

Nobody 2 hits Philippine cinemas on August 13.

Follow Universal Pictures PH on Facebook, @UniversalPicturesPH on Instagram, and @UniversalPicsPH on TikTok for more killer updates.

_{Photo and video Credit: “Universal Pictures”}

August 4, 2025
Game-Changing Dreams Take Center Court in “GOAT,” the New Animated Sports Comedy from Stephen Curry
The Underdog Just Got Fierce: Watch the Trailer for GOAT

What happens when the smallest player on the field becomes the biggest heart of the game? From Sony Pictures Animation — the studio that brought you Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse — comes GOAT, an exhilarating new animated sports comedy arriving in Philippine cinemas in 2026.

And yes, you can watch the trailer right now:

Meet Will: A Small Goat with Sky-High Goals

In a universe where animals rule and sports reign supreme, GOAT introduces us to Will Harris, a teenage goat with a giant dream: to become a professional roarball player. Roarball — a fierce, fast, co-ed, full-contact sport — is dominated by apex predators, but Will believes he’s got what it takes.

Despite being the smallest in the league, Will scores a once-in-a-lifetime chance to join the pros. But with doubting teammates and an unforgiving field, the question remains: can a goat really run with the big beasts?

From Courtside to Cameras: Stephen Curry Makes a Cinematic Play

Produced by NBA icon Stephen Curry, alongside Michelle Raimo Kouyate, Erick Peyton, Adam Rosenberg, and Rodney Othman, GOAT is more than an animated film — it’s a slam dunk of inspiration, action, and underdog triumph.

The film is directed by Tyree Dillihay, co-directed by Adam Rosette, and executive produced by Rick Mischel and Fonda Snyder.

A Star-Studded Voice Cast Brings the Game to Life

Get ready to hear some of your favorite voices in this animated sports adventure. GOAT boasts an all-star voice cast including:
- Caleb McLaughlin (as Will Harris)
- Gabrielle Union
- Stephen Curry
- Nicola Coughlan
- Nick Kroll
- David Harbour
- Jennifer Hudson
- Patton Oswalt
- Jenifer Lewis
- Aaron Pierre
- Bobby Lee
- Eduardo Franco
- Andrew Santino
- Sherry Cola
- Jelly Roll
Note: Voice cast credits are not yet final.

“Smalls Can Ball”: A Roaring Message of Heart and Hustle

At its core, GOAT isn’t just about sports — it’s about pushing past limits, rewriting the rules, and showing the world what determination looks like, no matter your size. Will’s journey is packed with humor, high-energy gameplay, and a whole lot of heart.

Whether you’re a fan of sports, animation, or just cheering for the little guy, this film hits every mark.

Coming to Philippine Theaters in 2026

Mark your calendars — GOAT charges into theaters in 2026 and distributed by Columbia Pictures Philippines. With its adrenaline-pumping story, lovable characters, and powerful message of resilience, this film is set to win over families, animation lovers, and sports fans alike.

Until then, watch the trailer, share the excitement, and remember: being small doesn’t mean you can’t play big.

_{Photo & Video Credit: “Columbia Pictures”}
August 1, 2025
Evil Returns One Last Time in “The Conjuring: Last Rites” – Watch the Final Trailer Now!
A Legacy Comes to a Chilling Close

New Line Cinema and Atomic Monster present The Conjuring: Last Rites, the ninth and final entry in the blockbuster Conjuring Universe, which has amassed more than $2 billion globally. Directed by franchise stalwart Michael Chaves and produced by horror powerhouses James Wan and Peter Safran, this final chapter confronts the case that haunted Ed and Lorraine Warren from the very beginning.

The newly released trailer reveals a terrifying return to their first haunting, as the Warrens face an evil they once tried to forget. It’s a case that lured them back out of retirement—and one that threatens everything they’ve built.

Watch the Trailer Now

Discover the case that ended it all. Watch the final trailer for The Conjuring: Last Rites now!

Real Horror, Real Stakes

Veteran stars Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson reprise their roles as the legendary paranormal investigators for one last mission. Joining them are Mia Tomlinson and Ben Hardy, portraying their daughter Judy Warren and her boyfriend Tony Spera. The cast also includes Steve Coulter as Father Gordon, Rebecca Calder, Elliot Cowan, Kíla Lord Cassidy, Beau Gadsdon, John Brotherton, and Shannon Kook.

The Conjuring: Last Rites delves into the infamous 1986 Smurl haunting—a controversial real-life paranormal case set in Pennsylvania. It’s more than just another possession story. This is a confrontation with the past, where the horror is as emotional as it is supernatural.

As Lorraine Warren says in the trailer, “We were young, we were scared, we ran away. After all these years, it wasn’t done with our family.”

Why It’s the Must-Watch Horror Event of the Year
- The official conclusion to the long-running Conjuring saga
- Based on a true haunting that remains one of the most disputed in paranormal history
- A heartfelt, terrifying send-off for two of horror’s most iconic characters
A Theatrical Experience Not to Miss

Opening exclusively in Philippine cinemas on September 3, 2025, Last Rites promises an intense big-screen experience. It will also launch in North America on September 5 and debut internationally beginning September 3.

The film was written by Ian Goldberg, Richard Naing, and David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, with a story by Johnson-McGoldrick and James Wan. Characters are based on those created by Chad Hayes and Carey W. Hayes.

Behind the scenes, Michael Chaves is supported by a seasoned creative team including director of photography Eli Born, production designer John Frankish, editors Elliot Greenberg and Gregory Plotkin, and composer Benjamin Wallfisch.

The Conjuring: Last Rites is ditrubuted by Warner Bros. Philippines, prepare for a thrilling September 3 premiere in Philippine cinemas.

_{Photo & Video Credit: “Warner Bros. Pictures”}
August 1, 2025
Dakota Johnson Stars as a Modern Matchmaker with a Messy Love Life in “Materialists” — In Cinemas August 6

Love Math, Messy Heart: Meet Lucy

What happens when the person helping everyone find love can’t make sense of her own feelings? That’s the irresistible premise of Materialists, the latest film from Past Lives director Celine Song — starring Dakota Johnson as Lucy, a matchmaker who’s great at pairing people up… but terrible at navigating her own romantic life.

Rooted in Song’s real-life stint as a matchmaker in New York City, the story brings both sharp insight and playful humor to today’s dating culture. “She’s (Lucy) somebody who’s very clear about the fact that love really does baffle her, but she’s very good at the math of dating,” Song describes.

Dakota Johnson IS Lucy

The moment Song met Dakota Johnson, she knew she’d found her Lucy. “We were having a meeting and the way that she is so vulnerable and so funny and sharp, I remember walking away from her thinking, she’s Lucy,” Song recalls.

In the film, Lucy’s career is soaring—but her own love life is a question mark. After a twist of fate reconnects her with her ex and introduces a new potential match, Lucy finds herself stuck between what looks perfect on paper and what feels heartbreakingly familiar.

A Chameleon in Love

Dakota Johnson loved how layered Lucy is. “She’s extremely nonjudgmental,” Johnson explains. “She just wants to deliver and she wants people to find love, but she’s pretty shut off from that search herself.”

Lucy’s many shades—playful, serious, guarded, and sincere—are what drew Johnson in. “I was drawn to the role because it’s so complex,” Johnson says. “Lucy has so many different dynamics in the film, so there’s many different Lucys. She’s a bit of a different person with every other character — she’s sort of a chameleon in that way. And then you’re wondering which of her is the truth, which I thought was just so fun to play with.”

Fragile, Flawed, and Fearless

Celine Song believes Lucy’s contradictions are exactly what make her compelling. “Lucy is so beautiful, but she’s very vulnerable when it comes to these things that come from her own intimate self-perception and self-objectification, which I think Dakota actually does understand from being in public forever,” Song notes.nce.

First Look at the Film

Catch a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Lucy’s world with the First Look featurette here:

Opening August 6 in PH Cinemas

Equal parts clever and romantic, Materialists is a witty exploration of modern love, self-worth, and second chances. Whether you’re a hopeless romantic or just romantically hopeless, Lucy’s journey will hit home.

Materialists is distributed by Columbia Pictures Philippines and opens in cinemas on August 6.

_{Photo & Video Credit: “Columbia Pictures”}

August 1, 2025
Unmask the Mystery: Meet the Characters of “Weapons,” the New Horror from Barbarian Director Zach Cregger

Welcome to Maybrook: A Town With a Vanishing Secret

Something’s wrong in Maybrook. On one fateful night, seventeen children from the same elementary class vanish—except one. In Weapons, writer-director Zach Cregger spins a sinister tale of loss, fear, and fractured truth. This cinematic mystery opens in cinemas and IMAX on August 6 and promises to twist expectations at every turn.

Fresh off the success of 2022’s cult favorite Barbarian, Cregger returns with a genre-defying thriller critics are calling “a horror masterpiece” and “an instant classic.”

A Perspective-Driven Nightmare

Cregger’s storytelling ambition shines through in his decision to film Weapons through hyper-subjective perspectives. Every chapter is told from a different character’s point of view, down to camera height and focus. This technique is especially haunting in scenes seen through the eyes of Alex, the lone student who didn’t disappear.

“This is a movie that starts weird and I think it ends way weirder, but it also stays both feet on the ground as much as it can,” says Cregger. “It’s a movie that obeys the rules of its own universe so it’s not going to spiral into some bizarre, hallucinogenic nightmare or anything like that. But it is a twisty, turn-y movie. I mean, it’s a movie that reinvents itself about every 20 minutes while still staying true to the central engine. But it’s also a fun movie. It’s funny, it’s scary, it’s inviting. It’s not a big, grim, morose slog, and yet, the story it tells is really f***ed up.”

The Characters You’ll Meet in Weapons

Archer (Josh Brolin)

Archer is a father grappling with the disappearance of his son. Unwilling to wait for answers, he launches his own investigation.

Says Brolin of the good year the horror genre is having, and of working with Cregger: “This is the horror cycle, and I like it. I love being involved with somebody who I think is really good.”

Justine Gandy (Julia Garner)

Justine is an elementary school teacher who discovers her class empty—except for one student. As rumors swirl and accusations mount, she takes matters into her own hands. Garner sees the film as more than horror: “And what I mean by love story,” she says, “is that it’s about people having the desire to connect but not knowing how.”

Paul (Alden Ehrenreich)

Paul is a police officer with personal demons, reluctantly swept into the investigation. Ehrenreich was drawn to the project by Cregger’s storytelling. “It’s such a full meal,” says Ehrenreich of the stories of “Weapons.” “You get so many different characters, different dynamics and different stories. And the structure of the story is just so wonderfully done. So, I’ve been very genuinely excited to be a part of it.”

Alex (Cary Christopher)

Alex is the only student who didn’t vanish. His scenes are uniquely shot from his third-grade perspective. Young actor Cary Christopher found filming more fun than scary. “It’s different, because if you’re just watching a movie, it can be really scary because you don’t know what’s going on. But when you’re filming that same movie and you see it, it’s not scary to you. In fact, it’s funny. But since I know that it’s fake and it’s not real, we’re just all actors, it just gets pretty funny.”ares.

Marcus (Benedict Wong)

Marcus is the principal of Maybrook Elementary, stuck between supporting Justine and addressing community fears. Benedict Wong was immediately intrigued by the script’s originality. “It was original, unpredictable, and I could immediately tell it had the potential to be genuinely terrifying,” he says.

A Story That Demands to Be Seen on the Big Screen

With a compelling ensemble cast that includes Amy Madigan and Austin Abrams, Weapons is more than a horror film—it’s a narrative puzzle that reshapes itself with each chapter. It’s bold, unsettling, and unexpectedly humorous.

Weapons is distributed by Warner Bros. Philippines, opens exclusively in cinemas and IMAX on August 6. Follow the mystery. Share your theories using the hashtag #WeaponsMovie and visit MaybrookMissing.com for more chilling updates.

_{Photo & Video Credit: “Warner Bros. Pictures”}

August 1, 2025