MMFF 2024: 'Uninvited,' A Revenge Thriller You Won’t See Coming
"I'm Eva Candelaria," she said, her voice steady, though her heart beat with a deep purpose that had been with her all along. What happens when the uninvited chase justice—what price will she pay for the justice she's been waiting for?
Revenge is a theme often explored in Philippine cinema, but Uninvited offers a fresh take on it. Instead of following the usual revenge story, it creates a distressing, unpredictable narrative as a mother seeks justice for her daughter’s death at the hands of a powerful, psychopathic man.
Dan Villegas has made several notable films (including Hintayan ng Langit and English Only, Please), but Uninvited may be his most ambitious. It begins as a gripping thriller and evolves into something more, pushing the limits of what we expect from the MMFF this year.
At the ripe age of 71, Vilma Santos shows why she remains a force in Philippine cinema. As Eva Candelaria, she brings a range of emotions to the role, from quiet grief to intense confrontation. Her commitment to the character is clear, driving the story to its unsettling climax. It wouldn’t be surprising to see her win multiple awards across various awarding bodies for this performance.
Aga Muhlach’s performance and the film’s cinematography are brilliant—grotesque, disturbing, and uncomfortably cringy in the best way possible. Hard to watch at times, yet so mesmerizing you won’t blink an eye watching it. You couldn’t imagine anyone else playing this role. That's how effective he is.
Mylene Dizon and Nadine Lustre deliver bold and effective performances in their mother-daughter roles, while Nonie Buencamino’s scene, though short, is memorable. RK Bagatsing was eerily natural in his role. Tirso Cruz III and Elijah Canlas, despite their talent, are somewhat underutilized in the packed ensemble of notable actors and actresses. This highlights Gabby Padilla's performance, as she stands out in the cast. She proves once again why she's a rising star, with her facial expressions capturing every emotion, making her presence absolutely on-point.
Whether you're a fan of graphic, gory scenes or not, you'll appreciate the film's striking visuals. You’ll feel drawn in. Vilma Santos knows it in the film’s liberating final shot. And you will know it too, so intensely that her freedom might just feel like therapy.
