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Bowing March 21 with Apple TV+’s “Carême,” an ambitious sex-sluiced French riposte to “Bridgerton,” 2025’s Series Mania lifted off with a spring in its step, standing tall for one more year as Europe’s premier TV festival.

An extraordinarily long line on Saturday, encircling Lille’s major Nouveau Siècle theater for Joe Wright’s “M: Son of the Century” shows how much Series Mania’s home city in north-east France has taken the festival to its heart.

Europe’s industry has embraced Series Mania for many years as a co-production forum. “I spend my life on this circuit going from town to town and to forums and there’s me and some other guys,” says Steve Matthews, Banijay Entertainment’s head of scripted, creative. “Series Mania last year I couldn’t get a seat in the damn room. And that’s at a forum of young writers pitching projects: standing room only.

There’s really not much to explain about Netflix’s latest Filipino rom-com, titled Sosyal Climbers, as the film has a fairly straightforward narrative. It goes exactly like how you’d expect—by following a set template that’s applicable to everything, from acting to editing to direction. I’m not being demeaning here, but the truth is there’s not an iota of cinematic flair here; however, since you’re here, I’m assuming it worked for you. Let us get on with the discussion without further ado.

Spoilers Ahead

What is the movie about?

Real estate agent Jessa and financial advisor Ray meet at the funeral of one of his clients. When she tries to sell a house to the grieving family and gets criticized for doing so in a time like this, he comes to her aid and helps her push the deal through. She takes him out to dinner afterward,...