"Warla" [2025]

(a full-length film of Cinemalaya 2025)

Film

Lance Reblando, Jervi “KaladKaren” Wrightson, Serena Magiliw,

Valeria Ortega

Written by: Arah Jell Badayos

Directed by: Kevin Z. Alambra

Southern Lantern Studios

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RATING: ⭐⭐⭐/ 5

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NO SPOILERS

SYNOPSIS:

Young Kitkat is taken in by Joice, who leads a group of transgender women kidnapping foreigners to fund gender-affirming surgeries that they believe will finally allow them to live as their true selves. Kitkat, however, does not feel the need to change her body to be a real woman. The others in the gang, like Luningning and Barbie Ann, carry the heavy scars of rejection, deep gender dysphoria, and painful memories of cruelty they have endured, making the surgeries feel like a lifeline. For Kitkat, who has never known acceptance from a family, finding belonging with these women is both healing and complicated, as she must confront the harsh and destructive choices the group makes. Loosely based on a true story, this crime drama explores how women who long to stop being preyed upon transform into perpetrators, carving out power in the only space they feel is left to them.

[Source: Cinemalaya-Warla]

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STORY:

Just the idea of having an all-trans cast is already a huge achievement and a testament to the dedication of everyone who worked on this film. I love how the story and production treated the subject matter with deep respect and sensitivity. What truly sets Warla apart from other LGBTQ+ films is how it portrays the real struggles and challenges of the community — not through comedy or exaggeration, but with sincerity and empathy.

This is the first time I’ve encountered a story like this, and I believe it deserves attention not only from the public but also from government institutions. After all, their struggles are no different from those faced by many ordinary Filipinos.

I appreciated how the movie was told through the main character’s point of view. Seeing her personal journey and the choices she had to make about her fate made the story feel intimate and authentic.

The pacing felt just right, and what grounds the film in reality is how it still manages to weave in moments of humor and warmth. These lighter scenes make the characters more relatable and human, balancing the story’s heavier themes.

Despite these moments of warmth, the film never loses sight of the tension and danger surrounding the characters. I really liked how these shifts were handled, the transition between lighthearted and suspenseful scenes felt natural and seamless.

And just when I thought I could predict what would happen next, the ending took me by surprise. One major character’s resolution caught me completely off guard — a powerful and unexpected conclusion that leaves a lasting impression.

SYMBOLISM:

Beyond highlighting the common struggles faced by the trans community, the film also touches on deeper themes that reflect broader societal realities.

One striking element is its take on toxic masculinity — the kind we often witness in real life, where some men, when losing an argument with a trans woman, resort to claiming that she must be attracted to them. It’s a subtle yet powerful commentary on how insecurity and prejudice often hide behind pride and ego.

The film also beautifully explores the diversity within the trans community itself. It shows that being trans is not a one-size-fits-all experience, some long to undergo surgery to fully align their bodies with their identities, while others believe that womanhood isn’t defined by physical change. For them, they are women — point blank, period. This nuanced portrayal adds honesty and emotional depth to the story, reminding viewers that there’s no single way to define identity or authenticity.

CHARACTERS:

Lance Reblando, who played "Kitkat", delivered a very convincing performance. I saw her character's innocence and essence throughout the entire film. I love how she wasn’t portrayed as the typical “weak” character, but rather someone who is strong and grounded. Her yearning for someone to look up to shows that, despite her strength, she still seeks guidance and belonging. Her emotional breakdown on the stairs toward the end—where she just let everything out was one of the most powerful scenes. I couldn’t help but applaud.

Jervi Wrightson also know as "KaladKaren" (who played Joice) was a pleasant surprise. I love how she managed to shift the audience’s perception of her. Many people see her as this well-poised, well-dressed figure of authority and confidence. But in Warla, she showed quite the opposite—toned down, stripped of glamour, and deeply rooted in her character’s reality. It was a refreshing and grounded portrayal that truly worked.

Valeria Ortega and Serena Magiliw who played Luningning and Barbie respectively, both played significant roles in the story, gave respectable performances. I do have a few reservations, but overall, their acting was effective and convincing enough to carry their parts.

Other minor characters including Bernie were clearly added to bring humor and lightness to the film and the director made the right call. Their timing was on point; I laughed every time they delivered their punchlines. I genuinely hope to see more of them in future projects, especially our Diday!

CINEMATOGRAPHY:

The style on how they produced the cinematography of the film was highly effective and contributed so much to its overall feel. If you look closely, you’ll notice how the movie often played with dark and gray tones, but the trans cast themselves served as the film’s true colors. It’s as if they were the ones bringing life and vibrancy to the story. What a brilliant visual metaphor and representation!

TECHNICAL:

Editing-wise, I found a few parts of the film a bit confusing. There were moments when I caught myself wondering if what I was seeing was part of the protagonist’s present or a glimpse of the past. Still, I was able to catch up and follow the flow eventually.

CRITICISM:

Just a few notes though - while everyone delivered strong performances, I found myself questioning some of the character relationships. There was one character who seemed angry at Kitkat, but her reason for feeling that way came across as a bit shallow. Another character, despite having conversations with Kitkat, felt underutilized. It seemed like a missed opportunity that they didn’t share a more meaningful moment together.

At the beginning of the film, when Jervi’s character "Joice", discovered Kitkat, it felt a little abrupt, almost as if she appeared out of nowhere. It raised a few questions for me, though it didn’t really take away from my overall experience of the film.

There was also a restaurant scene where one character’s decision felt sudden, leaving me unsure about her motivation. Was she afraid? In a rush? I couldn’t quite grasp what drove that choice.

Lastly, the guest star who played Kitkat’s mother didn’t leave much of an impression on me, her presence didn’t add much to the story.

LESSONS:

This movie serves as a realization that while the Philippines has become more open and accepting of the trans community, there are still places where they are treated as outsiders. Whether one agrees or disagrees with their lifestyle, one thing remains certain — they are human beings too, often forced to take extreme measures just to fit into a society that has long shunned them.

CONCLUSION:

I think for those who still believe that films about the LGBTQ+ community are only about perversion or sexuality, Warla might be the film that challenges that mindset. It encourages viewers to see the community in a different light — with empathy rather than judgment. People may still walk away holding on to their own beliefs, but giving this community the space to be heard is already a meaningful step forward.

I don’t think the film’s goal is to make everyone fully agree with their choices or beliefs. After all, people are different — and that’s not really the point. What Warla truly wants to show is that their struggles are real, their voices matter, and their stories deserve to be seen and understood.

Watching "Warla" allowed me to see the trans community from a deeper perspective. I’ve always respected them, but this film strengthened that respect and broadened my understanding of their experiences. It made me reflect on my own perceptions of their struggles, needs, and rights.

Overall, "Warla" is a film built with care, courage, and authenticity. It’s an eye-opener — one that I hope inspires others to approach the trans community with the same empathy and awareness.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDR-dZ-aAMM