Dead Kids

Honestly, I was really impressed the first time I watched this. I don't really watch Filipino movies anymore because of the cringefest we usually get from film festivals, but hey, I was randomly scrolling on Netflix and saw this, and the trailer was very compelling--I had to watch it.

And oh boy, slow clap for the production of this film-from the music/score, to the shots, color grading was aight-everyone's doing it so it was nothing new but it was right for the aim of the film.

The acting was actually really good, I was impressed, it was nothing like the ones I've seen in Philippine cinema/TV with all the over the top screaming, crying, and such. I hate to say this, but Sue Ramirez has that typical Filipino acting, but I guess they needed someone mainstream to invite audience into watching this film. I loved the scene at the car before they did the act, the silence was so intense, you could feel and see how nervous they were, which was only the natural thing to feel if it was your first time kidnapping someone, moreover, as a 19 y/o! I have nothing against with the conyos in this film, I know enough conyos in my life, so yeah, I thought they were natural.

The second time I watched this, I watched it with my fam, it suddenly became corny and cheesy. My parents didn't understand the movie, so I guess this one is for the youth. But still, props to Mikhail Red for doing a different take on the Philippine films. Hope this keeps going and reach wider audience.

Good to passable acting. Cinematography is ok. Cringy Dialogue. The main character is supposedly a smart dude but almost everything is dumb. What was even the point of Sue Ramirez's character? When you search for this movie you see her name on the list of actors first but for what? She wasn't really a plot device or a 'Chekov's gun' in a sense. She was just there...

This movie is a breath of fresh air from all the cheesy rom-coms and angsty love stories that Filipino media regurgitates on a daily basis. It's dark, but not Joker dark, humorous, yet serious when it needs to be, and delivers quite a powerful message when it comes to privilege.

The cast made me love the movie even more. Vance Larena definitely stood out to me, as he was the most intriguing character of the movie. Despite how his actions were morally wrong, you can't help but feel pity and sorrow for Blanco, as it is clear that he is a victim to his circumstances. Khalil Ramos brings his A game as the comedic relief, delivering ridiculously stupid puns and punchlines with the ease of a late night show host, which compliments the edgy teen flick feel of the movie.

Overall, some plot holes here and there are in fact very noticeable, but didn't ruin my enjoyment of the film. If you want a break from all the love stories of Filipino media, this is for you.

Dead Kids is about a group of boys who plot to kidnap the class bully and ask for ransom from the bully's drug lord father.

I liked this movie up until 2/3rds of the way because the acting by all of the main cast was superb. Being a Filipino, and having gone through High School here, the 4 main boys all put up convincing performances (although a bit exagerrated by the script). The pacing was also good - it wasn't too rushed or too slow. The cinematography and music did a good job of establishing the film's atmosphere.

I just have a problem with the ending, and undeveloped characters. I know that film is about show, don't tell but I think some details about the main character weren't really fleshed out or were too subtle. The decision he made at the end really did not make sense to me. The character of Sue Ramirez was also underdeveloped (I agree with one of the reviews posted here) that her speech before the ending felt forced or out of place and her last scene just puzzled me and I didn't know what it meant.

There was a bit of social commentary also in the film about social class but again, it fell short for me. I know the film makers didn't want to be too preachy but I would've preferred a bit more preachiness instead of grasping at straws as to what it was the makers were trying to stand for.

Nevertheless, I would still recommend that people watch this movie. It would be interesting to see what else the Red Brothers will come up with in their future projects.

Mikhail Red's "Birdshot" (2016) was the first Filipino film to stream on the Netflix platform. There had since been several other Filipino films to reach worldwide viewership this way. This year, Red goes one step further with his latest film "Dead Kids," which gains the distinction as the first Filipino film to be produced by Netflix. This had its world premiere last November 17, 2019 as the closing film of the recent Cinema One Originals film festival. Two days ago, it made its Netflix debut.

The title "Dead Kids" refer to outcasts or unpopular kids in school, those who are don't exist to the other students. The story refers to a gang of such kids: the serious leader Blanco, the wacky joker Paolo, the vaping Chinese nerd Yu and their new recruit, poor scholar Mark Sta. Ana. Tired of being tormented by popular rich kid Chuck Santos, the boys hatch a plot to kidnap the bully and demand a sizable ransom from his drug lord father. Once their nefarious plan gets going though, they realize how much they were in over their heads.

This is another one of those youth-themed films showing their shenanigans in school. While these could be very entertaining for young people, for parents they paint disconcerting pictures of what they don't see after they drop their kids off every morning. We have seen these tropes before -- the bullies, the mean girls, the nerds, the massage parlor, the dance clubs. However, this one took things further with a particularly violent turn which made it all the more disturbing for everyone.

Admittedly, the actors may look older than typical senior high school students, but they all brought their A-games to their roles. They were all very natural in their portrayal of youthful recklessness. Vance Larena looked dangerously volatile with his big baleful eyes reflecting issues jumbled around inside Blanco's head. Khalil Ramos was too effective at being the annoying jerk that Paolo was, you'd want to shut that noisy mouth of his yourself. New actor Kelvin Miranda pulled off the misfit naivete required of the central role of Mark very well.

Among the girls, Sue Ramirez had prominent billing, but her character, the smart girl Janina, was largely sidelined and undeveloped. Instead, it was Gabby Padilla who got to join in the action more as Paolo's nosy girlfriend Yssa.

With energetic camera work and edgy musical score, director Mikhail Red succeeded to create a nihilistic milieu in which the underdogs attempt the unthinkable to extract revenge and extort money at the same time. He could have pushed the outrageous concept into further depths of violence, but wisely elected to still keep things grounded in reality. Part one of the caper may have looked a bit too easy to pull off, but Red made sure the rest of the plan would not just come together that conveniently for the boys. The suspense and tension of the final outcome will keep viewers hanging on to the very end. 7/10.