MANILA -- Award-winning actress Nadine Lustre is eyeing to delve into darker roles following her portrayal of Nicole in the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry “Uninvited.” 

According to the “Deleter” actress, “Uninvited” pushed her to further hone and elevate her craft.

“It is a huge change from all the roles I have done before. Everyone knows me from romcoms and dramas — romance stuff. My roles are always mabait na anak, palaban, pero mabait. This time, I was able to explore and try a different side of acting,” she explained during the grand media conference of the film in Quezon City, Wednesday. 

“I wanted you to see ano pa kaya ko gawin. Sobrang extreme from my previous characters — something I always wanted to do. I love exploring. Hopefully, maging darker characters ko,” she added.

Lustre captivated audiences in the film’s viral teaser, released on Nov. 8, after she debuted her fierce, unapologetic, and unfiltered side as her character hurls expletives while confronting Aga Muhlach (Guilly).

"Uninvited" star Nadine Lustre.

Despite the tension of the gripping scene, the actress revealed that the atmosphere on the set was the complete opposite.

“Iba 'yung pakiramdam maka-eksena si Kuya Aga. That scene, everytime after ng eksena, may adlib si Kuya Aga. After paglabas ng pintuan, tawa ako ng tawa,” she shared. 

“Hindi siya awkward, natuwa ako natawid namin eksena. Pero I would say if you watch the trailer triggering in a way pero nakakatawa lang knowing si Kuya Aga ang layo ng personality niya,” she added. 

Apart from Lustre and Muhlach, “Uninvited” is also top-billed by Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos-Recto.

“Talagang na-excite ako — go na mag-shoot na tayo -- when I learned na nag-yes si Nadine,” the veteran actress recalled. 

The movie marks the first time Muhlach and Santos-Recto will again be working together after 30 years. 

“Proud ako sa dalawang film namin, dito sobrang proud ako. How could you say no. I am the happiest to do this film and to have done it with Vilma. It comes in threes, third film namin — done na ako sa buhay,” Muhlach noted. 

“Alam namin hindi madali story. Nang na-lay out na istorya, talagang importante characters sa movie para maging epektibo. Nang binuo to, nag-usap kami nina direk at team, wala ibang choice to play Guilly but hindi right away pangalan na binagsak Aga Muhlach,” Santos-Recto added. 

The concept of thriller-drama, directed by Dan Villegas and written by Dodo Dayao, is the brainchild of Santos-Recto. 

“Wala ang pelikulang ito kung hindi dahil kay Vilma. Istorya niya ito. Sa kanya galing. Ilang beses kami nag-pitch. Sabi ko tigilan natin 'to — ano gusto mo gawin. And marami siya binigay na peg na gusto niya gawin,” Mentorque CEO John Bryan Diamante saOD.

According to Santos-Recto, the premise of the entry for the golden MMFF had long been her “dream project.”

“Ito dream story ko. May interviews ako sinasabi ko gusto ko gumawa ng pelikula na nangyari ng 24 hours. Nag-uumpisa maganda, magsisimula dilapidated na. 'Di ko alam gitna, sina direk naglagay ng istorya hanggang nabuo,” she reasoned.

The impressive lineup also includes RK Bagatsing, Mylene Dizon, Lotlot de Leon, Gabby Padilla, Elijah Canlas, Ketchup Eusebio, Gio Alvarez, Cholo Barretto, Ron Angeles, and Tirso Cruz III.

New ‘Uninvited’ teaser introduces Nadine Lustre’s character

Vilma Santos, Aga Muhlach, Nadine Lustre to headline upcoming movie 'Uninvited'

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