Set in Nagoya, Japan, four Filipina entertainers form a sisterhood while facing the emotional cost of their jobs. Together, they must decide what they are truly willing to sacrifice for their dreams in a foreign land.
Laban, indeed. The tales of our Overseas Filipino Workers have always been a rich place to anchor a film. It’s the perfect representation of where our country is at. A Filipina entertainer in Japan is not a novel concept among Filipinos, yet it surprisingly hasn’t been explored often in our cinema. Enter Midnight Girls. And it’s pretty great.
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| (C) TJAV, Warner Bros. |
As an ensemble film, it can’t be overstated how seamless the transitions between each character’s arcs are. Not once does it feel confusing. Director Irene Emma Villamor makes choices that further elevate the film’s core themes. There are no dull moments here.
The sisterhood portrayed feels genuine as well. Perhaps it helps that the writing (co-written by Villamor and Rod Marmol) is rooted in something raw. It may be a little wordy at times, but the performances make those nitpicks dissipate.
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| (C) TJAV, Warner Bros. |
Speaking of performances, not a single one among the four leads becomes a weak spot. If only our country had a stronger presence in international award-giving bodies, this would have easily snagged a nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Cast. Sanya Lopez and Loisa Andalio are revelations—I loved their characters. Jane Oineza shines in somber moments. Sure, she may have the shortest screen time among the four, but her character carries important representation. Fortunately, she was up to the task.
And of course, Jodi Sta. Maria steers this film effortlessly. She is that good. Her scenes with Performer of the Year via video call, Zaijan Jaranilla, really hammer home the film’s thesis. I laughed with her. I cried with her. What can’t she do?
Trust me when I say Midnight Girls will become a classic. Irene Emma Villamor delivers a poignant, women-centered film for all audiences. It’s truly a movie event for Filipinos—this is for us. 4/5 ⭐
