PATAY GUTOM

Patay Gutom (CinePanalo 2026)

Directed by: Carl Joseph Papa & Ian Pangilinan

Like the 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥, the direction remains consistently on a flat line. Like the 𝘩𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘳𝘺, the film will leave you craving for more.

The lead characters, the 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 and the 𝘨𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵, have the most lifeless type of interactions. Kahit punong-puno sana sila ng chemistry, unti-unti itong naaagnas.

Their first encounter should’ve been a highlight, but it feels more uneventful than an ordinary meeting. The first food offering should’ve been magical, but the scene doesn’t even look appetizing enough to make that moment convincing.

The treatment of the scenes roughly stays the same, even when something pivotal is happening.

The 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 character is some sort of a delivery boy who fulfills random requests from paying strangers. Despite the varying difficulty of these tasks, there’s barely any variation in how they are presented. And while the character goes through different emotional states, the actor struggles to deliver and convey that range.

Meanwhile, the 𝘨𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵 character is expressive enough that, despite his animated form, his emotions come across vividly.

Carrying the ups and downs of her character, Agot Isidro literally moves you with her compelling portrayal.

Habang binabalikan ang mga memories, ang cute sana dahil mukha itong gumagalaw na collage. Maganda siyang tingnan, ngunit wala siyang timbang. Parang maninipis lang na litrato at walang bigat.

The revelation scenes are too long, dumping crucial parts of the story all at once instead of taking us through the characters’ lives and allowing their journeys to unfold.

A teleserye-like plot twist is also thrown in at the last minute, making things worse. Considering the relationship of the characters to one another, the whole situation now looks very awkward. They didn’t even bother to acknowledge or talk through it.

The film introduces several problems it rarely confronts, yet it adds another complication that it doesn’t know how to handle.

Financial problems involving budget and expenses are introduced but hardly developed. Issues with parents are only touched on at the surface. Most importantly, the theme about life and death are limited to the visuals, making it more superficial than exploratory.

The film is heavily dependent on the animation side to create that sense of wonder. The attempt of the animation to elevate the scenes is constantly being pulled down by the flat direction. Naghihilaan silang dalawa at hindi nagsasama.

The concept of an animated afterlife coexisting with the living world is creative, but its charm doesn’t last for long.

Both worlds lack the dimension and foundation to stand on their own, so when they are brought together, instead of strengthening each other, they collapse. Before the film even ends, it’s already buried.

Agot Isidro tries to save and resurrect the film, but it’s already far too late because the film is already consumed by its own shortcomings.

There are plenty of ideas served, yet so little actually satisfies. There are moments when you can imagine what the film could’ve been, but its potential never fully comes to life.

Pinanindigan talaga ng pelikula ang pamagat nito.

𝘗𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘺 na nga. 𝘎𝘶𝘵𝘰𝘮 ka pa.

𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐘 𝐆𝐔𝐓𝐎𝐌

Cast: Khalil Ramos, Ian Pangilinan, Agot Isidro, Cris Villanueva

Screenplay by: Yvonne Garcia & Carl Joseph E. Papa

Presented by: Puregold CinePanalo, Super! Entertainment

Release Date: September 23 - October 4, 2026 for Puregold CinePanalo

A Movie Review by: Goldwin Reviews