Uninvited

A seethe-drenched drama of vengeance and redemption, "Uninvited" explores the well-worn story of crime, retribution and justice attained. Set in modern day Metro Manila, the film focuses its unwavering lens on a birthday party held at night by a local billionaire in his mansion attended by sycophantic guests, his trusted thugs and his long-suffering dysfunctional family. With a genteel and serene air of faded twilight and nocturnal clarity evoking a period pre-war vibe, scene after scene paves way for a solitary aged woman mingling in the gathering hell bent on revenge.

With a star-studded cast of Vilma Santos-Recto, Aga Muhlach and Nadine Lustre leading the helm the film shines with brimming intensity. Santos-Recto is fine as the wronged and bereaved mother with facial enhancement plumping and diminishing that once cute and buoyant visage. The overweight yet still boyish-looking Aga Muhlach delivers as the unhinged criminally multitasking tycoon while sexy and exotic 'though less appealing Nadine Lustre is quite there portraying the abused and broken yet conscience maintaining poor rich girl. Good direction, an able supporting cast and the taut, bile-spitooned script provide a panorama of real life and the underworld with the nefarious characters, vulgar-ridden Filipino and English language hybrid ("Taglish"), brutalized victims and rage-filled beatings and deaths where every stab is the equivalent of a parent's hate fuelled by the death and violation of a child.

A simple yet effectively shown tale of evil and its price mitigated by the leveling power of righteous justice, "Uninvited" shows and proves the maturity and quality of contemporary Philippine cinema and the long way it has come from its crude and limited origins. See this.

Vilma Santos delivers yet another masterful performance in Uninvited, a mystery-suspense thriller that cements her legacy as one of Philippine cinema's most versatile actresses. Directed by Dan Villegas, the film weaves a gripping narrative of secrets, betrayals, and unexpected twists, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

Santos portrays a strong, enigmatic character who unravels layers of deception with her sharp instincts and emotional depth. Her performance is both restrained and powerful, seamlessly balancing vulnerability and strength. The supporting cast, including Aga Muhlach and Nadine Lustre, complements Santos's magnetic screen presence, creating a dynamic ensemble that elevates the story's intensity.

The film's cinematography is equally compelling, with Villegas capturing dark, atmospheric visuals that enhance the suspense. The score is haunting yet subtle, perfectly matching the film's tone without overpowering its emotional beats. The screenplay is taut and intelligent, with dialogues that resonate long after the credits roll.

While Uninvited may not fit the mold of traditional crowd-pleasers, it stands out as a meticulously crafted piece of cinema. Its narrative complexity and layered performances make it a strong contender for recognition in award-giving bodies. Santos proves once again that she can tackle challenging roles with ease, delivering a performance that lingers in the minds of viewers.

Uninvited is more than just a suspense film-it's a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the artistry of one of Philippine cinema's finest icons. It's a must-watch for fans of the genre and anyone who appreciates nuanced, character-driven narratives.

10/10.

Uninvited is undeniably a campy affair, but it's at least enjoyably so. So satisfying is the idea of watching Ate Vi take out a group of disposable villainous archetypes half her age that you can almost forgive the movie for being so predictable. Almost.

Dan Villegas' revenge flick revolves around Eva Candelaria (Vilma Santos), a mysterious woman who arrives at the birthday party of a wealthy man, Guilly (Aga Muhlach), who, a decade earlier, murdered her daughter. Eva has come to settle the score and exact her revenge.

While the premise holds promise, the film struggles to deliver a satisfying payoff. Dodo Dayao's script takes its time establishing Eva's vendetta, but all this buildup to the climactic party confrontation feels drawn out and, unfortunately, predictable. The stakes are never fully heightened, and what should be a cathartic moment of reckoning instead falls flat due to a lack of tension and urgency. The action itself lacks finesse, and the film's resolution feels as though it's simply going through the motions, leaving little room for emotional payoff.

Despite its narrative missteps, Uninvited is still worth watching, thanks in large part to the performances of Vilma Santos and Aga Muhlach. Santos fully embodies the vengeful mother turned vigilante, imbuing Eva with both strength and vulnerability, making her journey compelling even when the script falters. On the other hand, Muhlach relishes his role as the over-the-top villain, bringing a sense of glee to his character's evil deeds. Their chemistry and contrasting performances, while limited to the climax, inject some much-needed energy into the film.

While the movie stumbles to deliver the impact it promises, Uninvited still earns a seat at the table, thanks to the commanding performance of its leads, even as the material around them fizzles out. It may not be the must-see event in theaters it aspires to be, but it's definitely a fun watch for a streaming session.

It doesn't hold back on trying to be suitable for mass consumption or appealing to the general audience.

It has its flaws, such as some situations being unrealistic (I won't go into detail to avoid spoilers) and some scenes in the ending feeling a bit anti-climactic, but the build-up was really good.

The casting (the assigning of actors to the characters) was great and very "surprising," to say the least, with an interesting combination of actors: Aga Muhlach, Vilma Santos, Nadine Lustre, Tirso Cruz III, Mylene Dizon, RK Bagatsing, and Elijah Canlas. This one didn't feel like they picked characters at random-the chemistry was really there, and I would've loved to see more of it in a TV series.

Notable mentions for acting go to Aga Muhlach, whose hysterical behavior and performance were so good that he was genuinely intimidating and maddening. Definitely a strong contender for the Best Actor award.

I loved the set, cinematography, and overall atmosphere of the film - it was modern yet vintage. It's one of a kind and the production team really nailed it with the high-society crime vibes. I think Filipinos have truly nailed making movies cinematic, and this one is solid proof.

Another notable mention is the accompaniment of cinematography and VFX to create industry-leading violence and gore. It didn't look "unprofessional"; in fact, it's quite a step forward in terms of execution.

In terms of plot, it's not the most unique (see synopsis), but an execution worth watching.

Again, I'd like to reiterate how much I appreciate the direction the movie industry is taking. They are becoming bolder and bolder, moving away from the typical "family-friendly" movies, and I believe Uninvited will go down in the history books for this shift.

Overall, an industry-leading Filipino movie for those into crime, thrillers, vintage aesthetics, violence, and a bit of gore. It's still some ways off compared to Western production, however.

The movie runs for just 1 hour and 33 minutes, so the pacing was fast. The plot is simple but intense: a mother out for justice after the brutal rape and murder of her daughter and the daughter's boyfriend.

Vilma Santos proves once again why she's the Star for All Seasons. You can really feel every bit of her emotion-grief, rage, strength. And surprise, surprise: Aga Muhlach! I grew up knowing him as the classic heartthrob, but here, he plays a messed-up family man with a selfish, pleasure-seeking lifestyle. You'll really hate his character...which means he did a great job!

The cast is solid-Mylene Dizon and Tirso Cruz are here too, though I wish Tirso had more screen time. As for Nadine Lustre, this was my first time seeing her act. Not sure if the poker face is part of the role or her signature expression?

All in all, the film is raw, bloody, and gripping. Worth the watch!