Helmed by director Mark Reyes, Playtime centers on how a seemingly Mr. Perfect could easily turn into any woman's worst nightmare.
This is the premise of this thriller movie headlined by Xian Lim, who plunges into a dark character out to scare moviegoers from beginning to end.
He plays the role of Lucas, who possesses the deadly combination of a pretty face, a muscular physique, and a mysterious aura that would easily lure a woman who has no sense of boundaries and self-worth.
Allyson (Sanya Lopez), Veronica (Coleen Garcia), and Patricia (Faye Lorenzo) fall prey to his scheme the moment they engage in his small talk.
Vlogger-influencer Allyson entertains a seemingly harmless fan but soon finds out how dangerous he actually is.
Bride-to-be Roni wants one last adventure before she settles down. She decides to hook up with a stranger in a bar.
Patricia naively trusts her "knight in shining armor" who rescues her from her abusive boyfriend.
As they find themselves in a forest in the middle of nowhere, will they survive the bloody game that Lucas wants to play?
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SHINING MOMENTS FOR THE FEMALE STARS
The exposition of how the three women fall prey to Lucas's scheme is fast, yet each one of them is given a chance to make their character stand out and captivate the audience.
Coleen's role is pivotal in setting up the story about what will happen to Lucas's victims, and she also holds the key to one of the must-see plot twists.
That she's up for physically exhausting stunts and fiery confrontations add to what makes Playtime exciting.
Faye, for her part, provides refreshing comic relief with her punchlines and on-point portrayal of a woman who is rough around the edges.
Her character keeps it real even in the oddest circumstances, providing crazy but funny moments in the film.
Sanya delivers drama and thrill in her crucial scenes with Xian. Her execution of heavy crying scenes showcases her forte as an actress.
Moviegoers should watch for one unforgettable scene where she adds a touch of humor to an otherwise traumatic moment.
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XIAN LIM STARS AS PSyCHO KILLER
Veering away from his matinee idol image, Xian makes a convincing portrayal of a psycho out to terrorize women.
His character gets thrilled whenever he sees his victims' failed attempts at defeating him in a violent race for their lives.
He adapts a dark aura and commanding tone as he ruthlessly orders the female characters to do unspeakable acts just to please him.
Xian's bulkier frame adds to his menacing look, making him more credible in scaring the wits out of his victims.
Talking about how he prepared for his role, Xian says in an interview with GMA-7: "Physically, I was bulking up for this.
"When they offered me the role, sabi nga nila that Lucas, my character, will be after the three girls.
"Sabi ko, 'Ah, maybe, I should veer away from the parang boy next door, loving son, romantic lead image, and move into like a big guy, right?'
"Like, if I'm with three girls, they won't be able to get away from me. So that
was a conscious effort for me to gain a little bit of muscle mass for this.
"Mentally, it's just getting into the mindset that you're playing a psychopath. So, it's a bit hard, but kinaya naman."
The only downside to his character is the lack of explanation as to what drives him to terrorize women and why he believes them to be weak, naive, and reckless.
One has to watch the movie to see if there's redemption for women in the story.
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GET READY TO SCREAM and laugh AT THE MOVIE HOUSE
Overall, Playtime doesn't pretend to be a thinking movie.
But it can guarantee that there's no dull moment throughout the film as the creators deliver a good mix of scary moments, heart-stopping chase, and gore.
Moviegoers are kept on the edge of their seats as to what will happen next, so be sure to go to the loo before the screening to avoid missing the exciting parts.
The writers provide the cast with relatable expressions like "momol-momol, pakshet, pa-lone wolf ang drama, ang daming kuda."
There are also lines that aim to highlight how one mistake can lead to disastrous consequences.
One such scene shows Veronica reflecting on her situation: "I just made one mistake, tapos ganito nangyari sa akin.
"Perfect student. Perfect wife. Perfect employee. Perfect daughter..."
Then Patricia nonchalantly interjects, "Sobrang perfect mo naman."
Gruesome yet light on its feet, Playtime deserves to be seen in the theaters for a fun and entertaining time.
Co-produced by GMA Films and Viva Films, Playtime is now showing in cinemas.
Director Mark Reyes is known for GMA-7's megaseryes like Voltes V: Legacy and Encantadia. The screenwriters of the film are Dustin Celestino and Noreen Capili.