Apocalypse Child—a Filipino indie film that defies traditional storytelling to create an experience as captivating as the waves in Baler.
Take the purest form of matter and turn it into a substance of design and creativity and you’ll get this well-crafted movie. The creative process that went into Apocalypse Child is of mind-blowing proportion. Bits of cinematic elements and a narrative of structural atoms form a complex mix of emotions and a gamut of expressions definite to make you scream for more and hope the movie never ends.
In Apocalypse Child, director Mario Cornejo and writer Monster Jimenez don’t just bring the Filipino surfing culture to life—they reimagine a legendary surfboard myth. The story kicks off in Baler, where waves crash like unresolved emotions, and we’re drawn into Ford’s world (Sid Lucero), a surfer whose “dad” might just be none other than Francis Ford Coppola himself.
A Cinematic Ride Through Emotions and Myth
His entire life is tangled up in this lore, and the plot builds around his chilled-out beach life taking unexpected turns as past secrets and new tensions unfold. Enter Fiona (Annicka Dolonius), the fiery girl-next-door with whom Ford finds himself entangled in ways more emotional than he could have anticipated. Dolonius owns her role, matching Lucero in intensity, making their scenes electric and subtly tragic.
The movie’s drama intensifies as Ford’s best friend Rich (RK Bagatsing) returns home, sparking a web of complicated relationships and past wounds that feel raw and personal. Each character’s arc reflects the central theme of “balance” like they’re all learning to surf through personal turmoil. Rich’s backstory, his rivalry with Ford, and his tension with Serena (Gwen Zamora) create an intricate web of betrayal, redemption, and unspoken grudges that makes for some seriously compelling viewing.
Art Imitates Life in Every Flawed Character
Best described, it almost doesn’t feel like a movie but more of a documentary of real experiences gathered and assimilated to produce the most honest version of art imitating life. Gwen Zamora is the highschool crush that wont go away and Sid Lucero will be the guy that every dateless bonehead teen would want to well, become, the fact that he fucked Gwen in the movie like- ah, for real. The biggest acting revelation? Annicka Dolonius as Fiona who gives out a stunning performance worthy of obvious recognition. Plus, it helps that she has some serious tit action in the opening parts of the film with Sid.
The film doesn’t shy away from adult themes either—its bold take on infidelity, friendship, and self-destruction comes with a uniquely Filipino perspective on what it means to move on and face family baggage. And while Baler’s gorgeous coastlines add a visual treat, they’re more than just scenery; they play into the story, hinting at the turbulent waters each character must navigate in their own life. It’s a wild mix of coming-of-age angst, poetic cinematography, and a homegrown cast that feels real down to every flawed, endearing, messed-up bone in their bodies. This one’s the Filipino film you didn’t know you needed but definitely don’t want to miss. If you’re one of those lucky to have watched that 2015 Jay Abello movie Flotsam and Jetsam, this is relatively similar but surprisingly, completely opposite- darker, more sinister, and as real as it gets in real life.
Apocalypse Child is a beautifully shot, achingly real exploration of human relationships. It’s a film that, once seen, feels like an old friend you turn to when life needs a bit of raw honesty and soul.
Final Thoughts: A Filipino Indie Worth Watching
Apocalypse Child is worth every second. Bold, unfiltered, and unapologetically Filipino, this movie offers a powerful take on relationships, self-doubt, and the truths that come crashing in like the surf. Apocalypse Child is the true friend that you cherish for eternity and one you watch when boredom fucking hits. Bold, morally perpendicular and domineering in ways. The biggest payoff? It’s a Filipino movie. And you may not believe this but it’s really fucking good. A sordid take on human interaction, relationship flaws and noble infidelities
Key Takeaway: It’s a Filipino film, and it’s really, really good.
Related posts:
Imagine Neo (The Matrix) before taking the red pill, Tyler Durden’s ensuing empathy towards quasi-existentialism in Fight Club, throw in a subtle mix of Renton’s battle with addiction in Trai...
An exemplary tale of a game of men made sexually palatable by a woman as we follow her ascent and rise over the realities of a patriarchal society, her inner demons, and for the chess-playing demograp...
It just might be a homage to the 1986 movie Children of a Lesser God, but Isa Pa with Feelings is the Pinoy counterpart that doesn't disappoint but levels up in almost every cinematic angle you can th...
Forget about the common adequacy Pinoy films are usually associated with. We may suck in action and sci-fi movies but we can definitely make quality films in other genres. Like this one. Baduy na ku...