BUDDY

Buddy (2026)

Directed by: Lucky Blanco

Nakakatamad siyang panoorin sa umpisa. Ang haba at ang tagal ng mga eksena. Halos lahat ipinapakita. Parang hindi na pinutol at inedit. Umabot tuloy sa dalawang oras ang pelikula.

Madaling sabihin na sana inilagay na lang ito sa streaming app para mayroong fast forward. Pero may magandang naidulot yung nakaupo ka lang sa sinehan. Kailangan mo siyang upuan at paglaanan ng oras. Yung tipong hindi ka nagmamadali. Wala kang choice kundi panoorin ang mga tahimik na sandali.

Sa ganitong paraan, nakikilala mo kung anong klaseng pamilya ang meron sila. Simple lang ang atake sa mga eksena, ngunit makatotohanan.

There’s no embellishment. It is what it is. Just a family trying to get through the day. The scenes aren’t exaggerated. They may initially look dull, but their rawness eventually becomes the film’s charm.

Confrontation scenes aren’t conventional, avoiding the usual shouting. There’s no intense musical score. It’s mostly just ambient sound and awkward silences. The songs are just playing in the background, yet they have the tendency to break or heal you.

The weight of the conversations fills the room. The script is straightforward in presenting the harsh realities the characters face, yet nuanced in exploring the gray areas of an OFW family.

The complications and repercussions are explored without dismissing the good that can come from difficult choices.

The direction is calm from the start, but it takes an unnecessarily goofy turn towards the latter part that feels out of place. Even so, the film remains grounded.

Michael de Mesa gives the film the sincerity and truthfulness it deserves. Hindi niya kailangang sumigaw upang magkaroon ng boses. Kahit pabulong niyang binibitawan ang mga linya, may bigat pa rin ang bawat salita.

Minsan, hindi mo alam kung comedy or drama na ba ang ginagawa ni Empoy Marquez. Kahit ano pa yan, matagumpay niyang binubuhay ang mga eksena.

EA Guzman’s movements can be awkward at times, but he still brings enough intensity to make his scenes believable. Shaira Diaz’s portrayal makes the scenes feel lighter, even when they’re not.

Elisse Joson and Elijah Canlas tend to use over-the-top facial expressions. But when it comes to conveying emotions, they always deliver.

Benjie Paras offers all the support one could ever ask for, knowing when to step back and when to make his presence felt.

The concept of a “buddy” is briefly touched on in the story, but the film doesn’t really revolve around it. A better title could’ve captured the family’s journey as a whole. BUDDY also lacks impact and isn’t particularly memorable.

The film is shot in Finland, considered the happiest country in the world. Yet its characters don’t seem happy. A striking contrast in the plot allows them to explore what happiness, home, friendship, and family mean.

𝘉𝘶𝘥𝘥𝘺 may not be an enjoyable watch at first, but it offers something personal and heartwarming. You can see lived experiences reflected on screen.

Getting to know the story and these characters makes the two hours time well spent. The film keeps you company like a buddy until it starts to feel like family.

𝐁𝐔𝐃𝐃𝐘

Cast: Michael de Mesa, Benjie Paras, EA Guzman, Elisse Joson, Elijah Canlas, Shaira Diaz, Empoy Marquez

Screenplay by: Tin Badillo-Novicio

Presented by: MAVX Productions

Release Date: November 4, 2026 in Philippine cinemas nationwide

A Movie Review by: Goldwin Reviews