Warning: Spoilers ahead!

Star Cinema’s A Very Good Girl, top-billed by talented femme fatales Kathryn Bernardo and Dolly De Leon, opens with a scene showing an ostentatious-looking young lady and a woman of background who is walking toward a found tradition-rooted relic. The phallic sculpture is priced at almost a million, and Molly Suzara (Dolly) wants to make it hers. The auctioneer announced, though, that the artifact was already sold to another buyer, Philomena “Philo” Angeles (Kathryn).

Blazing with temper, Molly flees the talk. She was approached by Philomena after, who introduces herself as Philo and insists to give Molly a gift. It turns out that the present is the wooden piece that she bought, but Molly is too prideful to accept it. To butter her up, Philo applauds her staying power in a patriarchy-stricken society and showered her with pleasantries that she refuses to take. When Molly finally warms up to Philo, she welcomes her to a feast and a sponsored shopping spree at her monster of a mall.

At Mother Mall, where it’s always a “happy mother’s goodness day,” Philo reveals why she is attracted and drawn to Molly’s self-drive. She tells the mall mogul that she reminds her so much of her mother, shifting Molly’s rigid nature. The start of a new friendship is underway, foreboding Philo’s real intent. She risks her identity and her own life, oblivious to what the future holds. The feat to her is more important, and the match of her life is her ticket to liberation.

Flashback to Philo’s history: she was fired by her boss, who happened to be Molly, harbored hate against her, and eventually arrived at a new name, Philomena Angeles, from Mercedes “Mercy” Novela. She spent a mass of her salary and resources on plotting revenge, going to great lengths that she herself didn’t think of doing. Directed by Petersen Vargas, A Very Good Girl has dark undertones and underlying themes that wrap the story whole. The film features black comedy, the clash of the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, sex and satire, and many more.

With a plethora of issues to tackle, an interesting tale unfolds in the form of an unforgivable crime and a vengeful victim who seeks answers and solutions. With a BAFTA- and Golden Globes-nominated headliner and a newly-minted Seoul International Drama Awards Outstanding Asian Star awardee, the movie is sure smashing records. On its first run on the big screen on September 27, 2023, A Very Good Girl was seeing the blockbuster track and has already tallied more than ten million Philippine pesos in gross.

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Kathryn and Dolly’s genuine acting, the refreshing appeal of the movie, the multiple deaths and dampened dreams, the complex characters, and of course, the recurring curses and phallic symbols that seem to topple patriarchy, are all key to its ascent.

Kapamilya artists Chie Filomeno and Kaori Oinuma also showcased superb screen performances through their portrayals of a social media star (Chie) and a cripple (Kaori). The recurring comic relief, meanwhile, deserves a mention, too, as it uproots the tension that the audience are taking in. Actors Donna Cariaga (portraying Karen), Kakki Teodoro (playing Thea), and even the adorable dog nicknamed Noriah did a good job, giving people a break from the pressing melodrama that the movie is drenched with. Doomed characters are also a component of A Very Good Girl.

Starring Kathryn Bernardo, Dolly De Leon, Angel Aquino, Jake Ejercito, Ana Abad Santos, Chie Filomeno, Gillian Vicencio, Kaori Oinuma, and Donna Cariaga, A Very Good Girl follows the story of the forlorn Philo/Mercy, who lost her job, a loved one, and above all, her openness to forgive and forget.

Lead photos courtesy of ABS-CBN Star Cinema on YouTube

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