Julia Barretto and Carlo Aquino in 'Hold Me Close' 

The Barretto brand (Gretchen, Marjorie, and Claudine) has always been associated with beauty. That is, people view them as pretty faces in show business, and they must always appear beautiful, regardless of the controversies.

Now, Julia Barretto, who is carrying on the legacy, has experienced her own highs and lows while looking as stunning as always. But underneath the pretty face, she is a talented actress, as evidenced by her deglamorized role in "Mirabella" and outstanding performances in "Vince & Kath & James," "Unexpectedly Yours," and "Un/Happy for You."

Years have passed, and Julia has developed into a versatile actress. While some argue that she receives everything from her family, they can't deny that she works hard for it and deserves all of the praises and awards.

In new film “Hold Me Close,” entry to Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2024, Julia plays Lin-Lin, a clairvoyant dealing with the challenges of love and trust.

She gives a performance that digs into significant emotional depths by using Lin-Lin's superhuman capacity to perceive joy or sorrow through touch, depicting the fragility and guardedness of a character searching for genuine connection.

Why Julia stands out

The youthful Barretto knows how to capture people's attention by playing the role skillfully. She takes on the role of the character in the MMFF entry, from her body language to line delivery. Her portrayal is sure to shatter every glass. She simply did what was necessary for her character.

Even in the smallest of settings, the camera clearly loves her. Some actors have such talent. Julia is one of those who doesn't require large scenes to be noticed by the audience. In her emotional scenes, the vulnerability in her eyes is noticeable, even without words.

Her presence alone is powerful, but it is not overwhelming. She plays a variety of roles but one thing is certain: when Julia appears in a film, it becomes her movie. But, of course, she is a generous actress. She doesn't let her presence overshadow leading man Carlo Aquino, which is the genuine trait of a star who stands out without taking over space that wasn't meant for her.

The film also shows her maturity. Yes, she has exhibited maturity in prior films, but this one is different. The distinction is that she is the character rather than Julia, a true showcase of movie star brilliance.

She doesn't receive enough credit for being a brilliant actress because when you ask people, they usually respond "Julia is pretty." There's nothing wrong with that, but her presence sparks a discourse about how the industry needs to start developing future movie stars right away.