WARLA

Warla (Cinemalaya 2025)

Written & Directed by: Kevin Alambra

When struggles of women are being shared, it’s only right to listen and empathize with them. It’s not that hard to do—especially when the actresses are raw, real, and empowering in their own ways.

Kung anu man ang sabihin ni Lance Reblando, agad mo itong papaniwalaan. Hindi mo siya pagdududahan dahil ramdam mo ang kanyang sinseridad. Walang eme eme.

Pang-Warla ang level ng aktingan ni KaladKaren sa pelikulang ito. Laban na laban. Walang inaatrasan. Panatag ang pakiramdam kapag nandyan si Khiendra Salamanque dahil likas sa kanya pagiging malambing na nanay.

Lahat ng cast ay may katangian na pangmalakasan. Pero nakakapanghinayang at hindi ito masyadong nagamit. Yung ilan sa kanila ay isa o dalawang beses lang ipinakita.

Mahilig sa pahapyaw ang pelikula. Sisimulan nila ang isang bagay, tapos hindi na nasusundan. Nagkakaroon ka na sana ng pake sa nangyayari, tapos biglang nawawala.

As much as you want to hold on to the story, the direction keeps pulling you away—jumping from one scene to another without taking time to establish the situation of every character.

Every other scene presents a new issue, ignoring the previous problem like it never existed. At some point, it feels like they are just enumerating all the struggles and not really tackling them.

The script and the issues it wants to present are struggling with continuity. Despite a promising start, the film lost stream towards the end, leaving its characters underdeveloped.

Witnessing the first scene alone, you’re ready to take on a war for these women. But it doesn’t progress to the battlefield.

𝑾𝑨𝑹𝑳𝑨

Cast: Lance Reblando, Jervi Wrightson, Serena Magiliw, Valeria Ortega, Bernie Barrantes, Khiendra Salamanque, Kirk Popiolek, Vitex Paguiran, Francesca dela Cruz, Jess Mendoza, Floyd Tena, Rocky Labayen, Jel Tarun, Gold Aceron

Screenplay by: Arah Jell Badayos

Presented by: Cinemalaya, Southern Lantern

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

A Movie Review by: Goldwin Reviews