RAGING

Raging (Cinemalaya 2025)

Written & Directed by: Ryan Machado

No matter how good of an actor he is, Elijah Canlas just blends with the cinematography—and he is not to blame.

Instead of empathizing with the main character, you criticize the fall of a heavy rain and the touch of a filthy mud. You become obsessed with the earthy elements, which will never be sufficient to compensate for real human experience.

Instead of getting interested with the story and its character, the more pressing question is what will be the director’s next shot.

By this time, you know that Elijah Canlas is not really the lead here. Story is dethroned as the king. The movie feels like an exhibition, showing what the director is capable of.

The placement of camera to fuse the wide shots and close-ups are impressive. From the still mountains to the swaying leaves and moving river, they’re all captured. Nonstop breathtaking sceneries are disguised as symbolisms.

The more you see the shots, the more this movie is becoming an artist’s portfolio. Too flashy.

After leaving the cinema theater, you’ll definitely give praises to the shots and other technicalities. And that’s how far it can go.

Saddening. Or perhaps… it is really raging.

Ang sinehan ay naging lugar para magpakitang-gilas.

𝑹𝑨𝑮𝑰𝑵𝑮

Cast: Elijah Canlas

Presented by: WAF Studios, Daluyong Studios

Release Date: October 4-11, 2025 for Cinemalaya 2025

A Movie Review by: Goldwin Reviews