This movie was my first stop for this year’s MMFF, and honestly, I’m so glad I cleared my schedule for it. Love You So Bad is a total breath of fresh air.
Love You So Bad, a major collaboration between Star Cinema, GMA Pictures, and Regal Entertainment, college senior Savannah (Bianca de Vera) finds herself at a romantic crossroads between two polar opposite men. Directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar, the story follows the sassy and independent Savannah as she is torn between LA (Dustin Yu), a reckless “bad boy” who fuels her adventurous side, and Vic (Will Ashley), a principled and ambitious young man who represents stability and growth. As she navigates this intense love triangle, Savannah must confront old wounds and decide which path truly defines who she wants to be and who she is willing to love. Let’s watch the trailer first.
While we’re all familiar with the classic trope of choosing between two guys, the film handles it so well that the choice actually feels difficult. It doesn’t give you an easy out; it lays out the conflict and lets the audience weigh the options right along with Savannah. If you ask me, I can choose straight away between Vic and LA. But the movie made sure it is not an easy task. That’s the beauty of filmmaking: making the audience involved in critical thinking.
What struck me most is how “brave” the storytelling feels. It’s an aggressive, honest look at Gen Z dating—social media influences and all—but it’s written with enough heart that even millennials will find themselves nodding along. Director Mae Cruz-Alviar worked some serious magic here, balancing the screen time so perfectly that all three leads get their moment to shine. It never feels like one is just a “third wheel” to the plot.
In terms of love and relationships, this movie tells us that Gen Z is remarkably brave because they have abandoned the “hush-hush” culture of millennials in favor of radical emotional honesty. Growing up in a digital age where every feeling can be shared, they aren’t afraid to speak their minds within their peers but are very respectful of their elders. With the characters of Savannah, LA and Vic, they are willing to have the “hard conversations” early on—discussing everything from trauma and attachment styles to non-traditional relationship structures—demonstrating a level of vulnerability that requires immense courage. You may or may not ask if there are kissing scenes; THERE’S A TON!
Bianca De Vera is such a discovery. For a newcomer, she handles the dramatic depth required for Savannah with total ease. This movie is a good addition to her acting portfolio. What a great start. Will Ashley is a powerhouse—he’s one of those actors who can communicate an entire internal monologue just with his eyes. You know that he learned his character so well, and I’m glad it is very fitting. Dustin Yu is incredibly promising; you can tell he was meticulous with his character, and it really paid off. I do hope that their respective management will give them a good follow-up from this.
Seeing these three on a Star Cinema stage feels like a massive breakthrough. It has that “classic” feel—reminiscent of the Sarah Geronimo, John Lloyd Cruz, or Gerald Anderson rom-coms from 15 or 20 years ago. It’s got the signature Star Cinema formula: great chemistry, plenty of kilig, and a beautiful showcase of a local destination. Setting the film in a wonderful province was an inspired choice; the culture and scenery added so much texture to the story.
I’m used to the MMFF being dominated by heavy dramas, horror, or slapstick, so having a polished, high-quality rom-com in the mix is a treat. It’s definitely a film worth celebrating on the big screen. And a word of advice: stay until the very end. There’s a major surprise that I genuinely did not see coming!
Love You So Bad opens December 25, 2025, in cinemas worldwide!
0 Comments