THE LOVED ONE

The Loved One (2026)

Written & Directed by: Irene Emma Villamor

Witnessing a 10-year relationship is quite a draining experience, especially when most of it are not the happy times. When memories are dominated by negativity, there is indeed suffering.

It’s no surprise the scene is in black and white, as there’s no more color left to give. Presence of love has become questionable. 

As you try to understand why, the answers slowly reveal themselves. Even though the story unfolds in fragments, you eventually see the full picture of their situation. The editing plays a key role in conveying the narrative. Different in structure, yet all too familiar. Personal, yet universal.

Revealing details in fragments adds mystery, but it also has its drawbacks. While information can be gathered piece by piece, feelings don’t accumulate the same way. The journey of love, heartbreak, and loss is disrupted, experienced only in pieces that never come together as a whole.

The connection is unstable. You linger constantly in between, never fully arriving at a strong emotion. What you experience is only a fleeting glimpse rather than a complete moment.

Ang hirap sa pakiramdam na nasa gitna ka lang buong magdamag. Wala ka sa alapaap upang ipagdiwang ang kanilang pagmamahalan. Wala ka rin sa impiyerno para magalit sa kanilang hindi pagkakaunawaan.

Hindi lubusang nagamit ang pamilya at kaibigan upang gabayan ang kanilang relasyon. Sayang ang presensya ng supporting cast dahil hindi sila nakakatulong sa mga pangunahing karakter.

Kulang sa mga masinsinang usapan kung kaya’t paulit-ulit na lang ang nangyayari. Paikot-ikot. Urong-sulong. Nakaka-manhid sa pakiramdam.

Soundtrack ang mas nangingibabaw. Mas naririnig mo ang tunog ng mga kanta kesa sa tinitibok ng mga puso. Saktong aktingan ang naibigay ng dalawang bida, ngunit sadyang mahina ang kanilang chemistry. Hindi rin nakatulong ang paraan ng pagkwento para tuluyan kang ma-inlove o masaktan sa ginagawa nila.

Hindi na ata kasi mahalaga ang feelings.

Mas kailangan paghandaan ang suffering.

The story acts as a cautionary warning for anyone entering a relationship. Are you up for the challenge, or does it leave you questioning why some couples endure at all?

Whether you’re the Loved One or the Lover, it doesn’t really matter. Emotions fall into the background. What remains is a choice.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐃 𝐎𝐍𝐄

Cast: Anne Curtis, Jericho Rosales, Catriona Gray, Luis Alandy, Max Eigenmann, Ian Pangilinan, Ara Davao, Mari Kaimo, Joyce Burton, Jackie Lou Blanco

Presented by: Viva Films, Cornerstone Studios

Release Date: February 11, 2026 in Philippine cinemas nationwide

A Movie Review by: Goldwin Reviews