Power and desire have long been intertwined in films, often serving as a lens through which society’s unspoken desires and harsh realities are explored.
Two recently released films, Elevator Lady and Delusyon, tackle these themes, each projecting a different yet complementary take on the transactional nature of relationships, ambition, and the consequences of choices made in desperation.
Aliya Raymundo (left) and Albie Casiño
In Elevator Lady, Aliya Raymundo’s Kat is a woman navigating a world that rewards those who know how to play the game. As an elevator operator, she literally controls the ride up and down, mirroring her pursuit of upward mobility. However, her real power lies in the services she offers behind closed doors.
The film doesn’t shy away from showing how financial struggles can push people into morally gray decisions, but it also presents Kat as a character with agency—someone who sees opportunity and takes it, rather than simply being a victim of circumstance.
Kat’s entanglement with Jay (Albie Casiño) brings an added layer of complexity. She sees him as a possible way out of her predicament, but as their relationship deepens, hidden truths begin to unravel. Here, Elevator Lady teases an age-old dynamic: when emotional and financial security become intertwined, does true love ever stand a chance?
On the other hand, Delusyon takes a much darker path, showing how desperation can lead to destruction. Ardy Raymundo’s Noli is a man who starts as a criminal and ends up a broken shadow of himself, undone by his own insecurities and inability to cope with betrayal. His wife, Esmeralda (Apple Dy), sacrifices herself to save him, only to find that her act of survival feeds a toxic spiral.
The film presents a grim reality: in moments of crisis, love can morph into something unrecognizable. Esmeralda’s choices, driven by necessity, ultimately become the very chains that trap her. Noli’s descent into obsession and violence is a chilling reminder that when power shifts in a relationship, the fallout can be catastrophic.
Both Elevator Lady and Delusyon present raw, unapologetic portrayals of survival and ambition in a world that often leaves people with few choices. While one focuses on using personal connections as a tool for financial gain and control, the other delves into the emotional and psychological price of love turned into obligation.
Elevator Lady and Delusyon are now streaming exclusively on VMX.