The 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is gearing up for an unforgettable season with its golden anniversary presentation, Uninvited. This gripping thriller-drama brings together some of the brightest stars in Philippine cinema, promising a cinematic masterpiece that will captivate audiences nationwide.
The grand launch of Uninvited was held at the Grand Ballroom of Solaire North and was a blockbuster event in itself.
Celebrities, influencers, bloggers, vloggers, and members of the entertainment press attended, all dressed to impress in Gatsby-inspired outfits that matched the theme of the evening.
Leading the celebration were the film’s stars—Vilma Santos, Aga Muhlach, Nadine Lustre, Ron Angeles, Gabby Padilla, Gio Alvarez, RK Bagatsing, Ketchup Eusebio, and Tirso Cruz III. The final poster and a new teaser were also revealed, building anticipation for the film’s release on December 25.
“It was one of the most extravagant movie launches I’ve attended,” remarked an attendee, emphasizing the event’s grandeur.
A Gripping Storyline with Complex Characters
Uninvited follows Eva Candelaria (Vilma Santos), a mother seeking justice for her daughter’s murder. She infiltrates a lavish birthday party hosted by Guilly Vega (Aga Muhlach), the billionaire responsible for her child’s death. Eva’s ultimate goal: revenge.
However, as the night unfolds, dark secrets about Guilly and his daughter Nicole (Nadine Lustre) emerge, leaving Eva questioning who the real villains are. The movie’s tagline, “Hindi lang ’to basta party!”, perfectly captures the gripping tension at the heart of the story.
The ensemble cast also features Mylene Dizon, Elijah Canlas, Nonie Buencamino, and Lotlot de Leon, ensuring a powerhouse performance across the board.
Aga Muhlach: Masaya maging Masama
For Aga Muhlach, taking on the role of Guilly Vega was an exciting challenge, allowing him to explore a darker, more villainous character.
“Sa pelikula, may pagka-dark ang character ko, at nag-enjoy ako na maging masamang tao. Hindi po siya mahirap gawin ’pag ang kasama mo, puro magagaling. Masayang maging masama… sa pelikula,” Aga shared during the press conference.
He also spoke about his excitement working with Vilma Santos again, their third film together.
“I called her up and I just asked her, ‘Gagawin mo ba ’to? Ikaw ba talaga? Tuloy ba talaga ’to?’ Sabi niya, ‘Yes, Agathon, gawin mo ’to.’ Hindi naman niya kailangang magsalita pa,” Aga recounted.
When told that Nadine Lustre would also be part of the cast, Aga jokingly asked, “Leading lady ko siya?” He was relieved to hear, “Hindi, anak mo siya.”
Nadine Lustre: Stepping Into New Territory
For Nadine Lustre, Uninvited was an opportunity to break free from the roles she had previously been known for.
“It is a huge change from all the roles I have done before. My roles are always mabait na anak, palaban, pero mabait. This time, I was able to explore and try a different side of acting,” Nadine shared.
She also expressed her excitement about taking on darker characters.
“I wanted you to see, ‘Ano pa kaya ang kaya kong gawin?’ Sobrang extreme from my previous characters, something I always wanted to do. I love exploring. Hopefully, maging darker pa ang characters ko,” she added.
Celebrating Filipino Talent
The film is a collaboration between Mentorque Productions, Project 8 Projects, and Warner Bros. Pictures, with direction by Dan Villegas and a screenplay by Dodo Dayao. Mentorque CEO John Bryan Diamante highlighted the team’s dedication to delivering an exceptional film.
“We understand the challenges Filipinos face today. Watching a movie in theaters is a luxury, so we made sure this is worth every peso,” Diamante emphasized.
Mark Your Calendars
Uninvited is set to hit theaters nationwide on December 25 as part of MMFF’s 50th anniversary celebration. With its compelling story, stellar cast, and world-class production values, it promises to be the cinematic event of the season.
Join the conversation using the hashtag #UninvitedMMFF and follow Mentorque Productions’ social media pages for updates and announcements.
