History may very well repeat itself at the Gabi ng Parangal, as Vilma Santos takes home the best actress plum for her powerful portrayal of Eva Candelaria in the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry Uninvited.
Watching the septuagenarian actress dive into the role of a mother seeking justice for her daughter’s death is nothing short of satisfying. Her transformation from a calm personality to a character consumed by intense fury highlights her remarkable versatility, a skill that Ate Vi has honed to perfection over her six decades of acting experience.
In my previous interview with Ate Vi, she shared that she rarely becomes angry, and when she does, it takes considerable provocation.
“I don’t like getting angry, and I don’t like myself when I’m in that emotion,” she explained. Yet, in Uninvited, her character Eva’s emotional journey demands a different kind of intensity—one that sees her wrestling with grief, anger, and a singular focus on vengeance. Unlike her real-life demeanor, watching Ate Vi unleash her anger in the role of Eva feels almost satisfying, given the immense emotional turmoil her character endures.
The plot follows Eva, who has spent years meticulously planning her revenge against Guilly Vega (Aga Muhlach), the billionaire responsible for her daughter’s brutal death. Disguised as an affluent socialite, Eva infiltrates Vega’s lavish birthday party with one goal in mind: to make him pay. As the evening unfolds, Eva uncovers a tangled web of secrets surrounding both Guilly and his daughter Nicole (Nadine Lustre), ultimately forcing her to confront difficult moral choices.
Aga’s portrayal of Guilly stands out as he fully embraces the role of a character audiences love to hate. Though Guilly is a one-dimensional villain, Aga’s performance brings a certain intensity that makes him a memorable figure. He plays the character with conviction, making his negative traits more pronounced.
Meanwhile, Nadine, despite limited screen time, leaves an indelible impression with her portrayal of Nicole, a character whose presence amplifies the moral questions at the heart of the story.
Uninvited unfolds slowly, giving viewers a deep look into Eva’s emotional and psychological struggles. The pacing helps emphasize the weight of her determination and the pain she endures in seeking justice. By the time the story reaches its climax, the payoff is undeniably powerful.
Visually, Uninvited stands out with its exceptional cinematography, which plays a pivotal role in intensifying the emotional depth of the film. Every frame is carefully crafted to enhance the story’s mounting tension, providing a visual sophistication that complements the film’s dramatic weight.
However, as the film moves into its final act, there is a noticeable shift toward lengthy dialogues, where characters justify their actions. While these dialogues aim to deepen the audience’s understanding, they occasionally detract from the film’s pacing and emotional impact.
Despite this minor flaw, Uninvited remains a gripping and powerful piece of storytelling.
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, it is a collaboration between Mentorque Productions and Project 8 Projects. The ensemble cast also features notable performances from Gabby Padilla, Elijah Canlas, Ketchup Eusebio, Gio Alvarez, Cholo Barretto, Ron Angeles, Mylene Dizon, Lotlot de Leon, and Tirso Cruz III. Directed by Dan Villegas with a screenplay by Dodo Dayao, Uninvited is now showing in cinemas nationwide.
