It’s hard not to be charmed by A Werewolf Boy, the new romantic fantasy flick from Viva Films, now showing in cinemas nationwide.
This adaptation of a hit Korean movie heavily banks on newcomers Rabin Angeles and Angela Muji, and for the most part, that bet pays off.
Rabin and Angela have so much presence that viewers can't help but be swept away.
There’s not a lot under their belt—the two only gained prominence last year with Ang Mutya ng Section E and Seducing Drake Palma—but they give the adaptation justice, and their chemistry makes it easier to overlook the movie's few flaws.
Read: A Werewolf Boy ng RabGel, ibinaba ang ticket price sa PHP275
A Werewolf Boy: SYNOPSIS
Viva Films' opening salvo this 2026 tells the story of Sara, a city girl who had to move to the countryside because of health issues.
There, she meets a mysterious feral young man who can’t speak.
Will she be able to uncover the origins of the werewolf boy before it’s too late?
The movie starts off a bit slow. The beginning feels clunky and a little tepid, mostly because the trailer already reveals what happens.
The musical score feels off, at times working against what’s happening on screen.
There’s a scene, for example, where Candy Pangilinan’s jokes do not land correctly because the musical score makes it seem like something scary is supposed to be happening.
After this awkward start, once the couple’s meet-cute scene is over, the movie begins to soar, buoyed by the brilliance of the RabGel partnership.
Read: Rabin Angeles and Angela Muji: Made to Last
A Werewolf Boy: MAIN ACTORS
Rabin is excellent here.
His large eyes deliver a lot of emotion, which is crucial since many of his scenes have no words.
He conveys exactly what he wants to say without speaking.
Angela, for her part, takes some time to warm up.
But once her character forms a connection with Rabin’s, she opens up and delivers some of her best moments.
One scene near the end had everyone in the theater bawling.
A Werewolf Boy: PEOPLE BEHIND THE CAMERA
Of course, accolades should also go to the production team.
Director Crisanto Aquino adeptly adapted the Korean original, and has successfuly given it a Filipino flavor.
Production design by Ericson Navarro, color grading by Steven Roni Magsino, and editing by Vanessa De Leon make scenes look captivating, even when nothing much is happening on screen.
Mark Joseph Bongon’s cinematography deserves credit for his dynamic camera movements.
With expert direction and captivating production design, A Werewolf Boy is a charming fantasy romance featuring a magnetic love team that’s soon to make a lasting mark on the industry.
It isn't perfect, but the RabGel chemistry is undeniable, and the emotional payoff makes it completely worth the watch.