"The Last BeerGin" [2025]

Film

Pepe Herrera, Cherry Pie Picache, JC Santos

Zaijian Jaranilla, Xyriel Manabat

Written by: Mel Mendoza-del Rosario

Directed by: Nuel Naval

CINEKO Productions and Obra Cinema

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RATING: ⭐⭐⭐.5 / 5

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NO SPOILERS

INITIAL THOUGHTS:

Just like I shared on my IG — you don’t really need a big budget or flashy production to create a quality film. What you need are superb actors, a solid story, and heart. That’s exactly what The Last Beergin delivers.

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SYNOPSIS:

Lives of 5 strangers intersect in a convenience store – Hilo a family man running away from his family, RG a man in a crossroad, Tere a tired married woman taking care of an invalid husband, Sandy a spoiled brat with trivial problems, Isaac a young man in love with Sandy but nonexistent to her. (Source: ClickTheCity )

STORY:

The film revolves around five strangers who cross paths in an awkward situation. Over bottles of beer and gin, they begin to share their stories — each reflecting a different slice of Filipino life. I love how simple the premise is, yet it feels so relatable.

Drinking is a huge part of our culture; we often drink not just to escape our problems, but to open up and reveal pieces of ourselves we usually keep hidden. The movie captures this beautifully. Despite its simplicity, the characters are layered and not just one note. By the end, you can’t help but feel moved. I even found myself teary-eyed in some moments.

At first glance, the film might seem like a typical "barkada" night-out story, but what makes it stand out is the diversity of its characters. From the carefree Gen Z representation, the perspective of someone unemployed, the wisdom of a parental figure, and the mystery of another companion, the group feels like a cross-section of society itself. Because of this mix, the film resonates beyond just one demographic, it’s a story that anyone, regardless of age or background, can see a part of themselves in

Another one of the film’s strengths in my opinion is how it captures the different stages of a night of drinking from starting light and playful, gradually peeling back emotions as the alcohol flows, and eventually revealing rawer, more unfiltered sides of the characters. It’s a clever way to mirror how people open up over time.

CHARACTERS:

This was truly an ensemble cast of actors. I’m so glad to see premiere talents from both theater and television come together to create this film—and the result? A powerful, cohesive performance from everyone involved. Every line delivered and every movement felt organic.

As I watched, I found myself paying attention to the cast even when they weren’t in the spotlight. What stood out to me was how they never let go of their characters. Even in the background, they remained fully present, embodying the story and enriching the entire narrative.

Let me share what I thought about each actor’s performance:

Pepe Herrera (Hilario “Hilo”)

Coming from the theater community, Pepe was perfect for this role. His no-nonsense portrayal felt so natural that I could easily recall people I know who share Hilo’s personality. That’s how effective his performance was.

I was amazed at how Pepe delivered such a powerful portrayal on screen, yet in interviews he comes across as this shy, unassuming guy. That ability to shift between such contrasting personalities is what makes him a truly remarkable actor. It’s also wonderful to see more people recognizing him not just as a comedian, but as a versatile performer capable of depth and range.

Cherry Pie Picache (Tere)

Cherry Pie brought warmth and motherly energy to the group. I found her presence refreshing, since drinking-centered films usually just focus on friends, lovers, or officemates. Her role added both parental care and emotional grounding. Among the five, her character connected with me the most not only because of her backstory, but because of how she portrayed those vulnerable moments of laughing at her own pain. Truly an acting masterclass.

JC Santos (RG)

This is the fourth JC Santos film I’ve seen, and while I admire his skill, I found his performance here a bit too intense at times. Some lines carried more heaviness than necessary. However, in the context of the story, it still worked, since RG’s character often tries to push others into realizing their mistakes. There was just a slight sense of disconnect for me. But overall it didn't affect my overall experience.

Xyriel Manabat (Sandy)

Xyriel nailed the role of the annoying, spoiled schoolgirl. She played it so convincingly that I even thought to myself, “If I were there, I’d give her a slap as well!” I’ve seen her in similar roles before, so I hope to see her stretch into more varied characters in future projects.

Zaijian Jaranilla (Isaac)

Zaijian has already proven his range in previous daring roles, but his performance here cemented him as one of the finest actors of his generation. His portrayal was raw, natural, and deeply empathetic. Even if you haven’t lived through his character’s struggles, he makes you feel them.

CINEMATOGRAPHY:

Even though most of the film takes place in just one location, it never felt boring. The ensemble cast gave such authentic performances that kept me invested from beginning to end. Each backstory was well-paced, distinct, and fresh. It didn’t feel forced or recycled.

Visually, the film also stood out. The bold color filters in the cinematography made the images pop and added irony during emotional scenes, perfectly complementing the dramedy tone of the film.

TECHNICAL:

The film’s use of music was minimal but powerful. The score only came in at the right moments, never overshadowing the performances which is a smart choice that allowed the emotions to shine.

CRITICISM:

In the film, there's a part where it tries to play with audience assumptions about one character, but because the setup is too lightly handled, the eventual reveal lacks impact. Like the payoff of this character's revelation wasn't fully earned.

LESSON:

Drinking is universal, but in the Philippines it’s more than just passing time or forgetting problems. It’s about connection, opening up, being vulnerable, and expressing feelings without fear of judgment. With beer or gin in hand, people allow themselves to be real, without pretensions or masks. And as long as it’s done responsibly, it can be both cathartic and healing.

CONCLUSION:

For me, "The Last Beergin" is a strong contender among dramedy and dark comedy films. Sadly, these types of movies are often overlooked, dismissed as “boring” or “corny.” But in truth, they reflect who we are as Filipinos: no matter how heavy life gets, we still find reasons to smile and laugh. I hope more directors and producers continue to champion this kind of storytelling — grounded, honest, and unapologetically Filipino.

#MovieReview #PinoyCinema #PepeHerrera #JCSantos #CherryPiePicache #XyrielManabat #ZaijianJaranilla #IndependentFilms #IndieFilms #PinoyFilm

#FilipinoMovies #PhilippineCinema #Dramedy #NuelNaval #MovieRecommendation #FilmReviewPH #TheLastBeergin #SupportLocalFilms

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4UMAlD2Khk