New year, new things to add to our watchlist.
Filipino actors like Dolly De Leon received love in the international community for foreign productions in 2022. And this year, we’re turning our attention to local projects. Here are some of the Filipino movies and shows we’re excited to see this year.
“In My Mother’s Skin”
View this post on Instagram
Director Kenneth Dagatan (behind the critically-acclaimed “Ma”) knows a thing or two about horror. His second feature film “In My Mother’s Skin” is about a girl (Felicity Kyle Napuli) who puts her trust in a flesh-eating fairy (Jasmine Curtis-Smith) to save her dying mother (Beauty Gonzalez) after they were left behind in an isolated mansion near the end of the Second World War.
It’s set to premiere as the only non-English language entry in the Midnight section of the 2023 Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 20. The section is known as the launching pad for contemporary horror flicks like “Hereditary” and “The Witch.”
“The Gospel of the Beast”
Award-winning director Sheron Dayoc (“Women of the Weeping River”) makes his comeback with another harrowing story on the relationship between violence and humanity. “The Gospel of the Beast” stars Jansen Magpusao (“John Denver Trending”) as 15-year-old Mateo who accidentally kills a classmate and gets persuaded to run away with Ronnie Lazaro’s Berto, a member of a syndicate whom he develops a unique father-son relationship with. The entirety of this film was shot in Iloilo and Antique.
“Ten Little Mistresses”
View this post on Instagram
Director Jun Lana’s “Ten Little Mistresses” holds the title of the first Filipino Amazon Original movie. The murder-mystery comedy follows the story of widowed billionaire, Valentin Esposo (John Arcilla), and his 10 mistresses who are fighting to become his new legal wife.
But when Valentin suddenly dies, they end up being prime suspects and their quest to unmask the real killer begins. Its powerhouse cast includes Eugene Domingo, Pokwang, Carmi Martin, Agot Isidro, Kris Bernal, Arci Muñoz, Sharlene San Pedro, Adrianna So, Kate Alejandrino, Iana Bernardez, and Donna Cariaga. Here’s to hoping it’ll be as good as “Knives Out” or better when it premieres on Feb. 15.
An untitled KathNiel movie and possibly “After Forever”
LOOK: Country's Premiere Loveteam #KathNiel’s comeback film, #AfterForever, tuluy na tuloy na ang taping sa 2023 sa U.S.
Their Star Cinema comeback film will still be directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina. ✨❤️💚💙 pic.twitter.com/YURWV4C7V5
— Kapamilya Online World (@kowalerts) September 14, 2022
It’s been years since we last saw Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla on the big screen together. Luckily, director Cathy Garcia-Molina has teased that she has two films in the works with the couple as the leads. One of them is a story set in the U.S. called “After Forever.” But the trio will be shooting an untitled project first that Garcia-Molina hints will be a fresh narrative that’s more than a love story.
“Dirty Linen”
ABS-CBN’s yearly teleserye lineup won’t be complete without a strong female protagonist-led revenge drama. That’s what “Dirty Linen” promises. It’s about a group that takes revenge on the rich and prominent Fiero clan after four of the family’s houseworkers mysteriously disappear. It stars Janine Gutierrez, Zanjoe Marudo, Francine Diaz, Seth Fedelin, Angel Aquino, Joel Torre, and John Arcilla.
“Voltes V: Legacy”
Local sci-fi fans are in for a treat with this live-action adaptation of a beloved anime. “Voltes V: Legacy” follows brothers Steve (Miguel Tanfelix), Big Bert (Matt Lozano), and Little Jon Armstrong (Raphael Landicho) as well as their friends Jamie Robinson (Ysabel Ortega) and Mark Gordon (Radson Flores) as they defend the Earth from humanoid alien invaders known as Boazanians. GMA Entertainment Group partnered with Toei Company to bring the story back to life so we have high expectations for those machine battles.
“Mga Lihim ni Urduja”
View this post on Instagram
With the success of “Maria Clara at Ibarra,” it’s no wonder that GMA has another drama where the worlds of fierce everyday women of today and historical (fictional or not) characters collide. In “Mga Lihim ni Urduja,” we follow the stories of policewoman Gemma (Kylie Padilla), jeweler Crystal (Gabbi Garcia), and legendary warrior princess Urduja (Sanya Lopez). Fans of the “Encantadia” reboot’s cast might want to see this main cast reunite in another action-packed show.
“FPJ’s Batang Quiapo”
View this post on Instagram
After the finale of our country’s longest-running teleserye “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,” Coco Martin returns with a retelling of another Fernando Poe Jr. classic. “Batang Quiapo” is about a rookie pickpocket who crosses paths with the city’s so-called king of pickpockets. Joining Martin in the ensemble are Lovi Poe, Charo Santos, Cherry Pie Picache, Mercedes Cabral, and Christopher de Leon.
Art by Ella Lambio
Follow Preen on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, and Viber
