Joel Lamangan’s latest entry for Sinag Maynila is intriguing and entertaining.
Titled All About Her, the crime drama explores the dark side of the pageant industry, where utmost beauty and envy can collide to drive one to murder.
The heart of the film lies in the volatile friendship between Olivia (Kelley Day) and Isabella (Yuki Sonoda).
When Isabella wins a top pageant title only to mysteriously vanish, the spotlight shifts to Olivia, the runner-up.
The central tension hinges on a singular question: Does Olivia know what happened to her best friend, or is she simply ready to take the crown by any means necessary?
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ALL ABOUT HER: DIRECTION AND SCRIPT
Actress-turned-writer Quinn Carrillo delivers what is arguably her most sophisticated screenplay to date.
Despite the narrative being driven largely by conversation and non-linear flashbacks, the pacing never falters.
The dialogue is smart and sharp, successfully building a twisty atmosphere that keeps the audience guessing.
It is a testament to the writing that a film so heavy on exposition remains consistently engaging and genuinely thrilling.
All About Her also proves, once again, that Direk Joel Lamangan is proficient across all genres.
The award-winning director is primarily known for heavy dramas and social realist films, but here, he demonstrates a keen eye for the pulpier nuances of a psychological thriller.
He manages to balance the campiness inherent in pageant culture with a genuine sense of dread.
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ALL ABOUT HER CAST
Quinn and Direk Joel are fortunate to have Kelley Day and Yuki Sonoda as their story’s leads.
The two have incredible chemistry, so it is instantly believable how close Olivia and Isabella are to each other.
What’s even more impressive is that this is Kelley’s first lead role in a movie.
She avoids the typical pitfalls of a newcomer, projecting the poise and nuance of a veteran.
Her Olivia is a complex puzzle—kind but duplicitous, envious yet seemingly understanding.
A standout moment occurs during a high-stakes press conference where she must address the media about her missing friend.
Kelley brilliantly portrays layers of emotions here: a mix of grief, anger and bliss, subtly telling the audience that what she is saying may not be the truth.
Yuki matches Kelley’s intensity with a performance defined by high sexual energy.
She portrays Isabella as a cunning young woman who is unapologetic about her drive to succeed.
The climax of her performance comes during a pivotal confession scene that serves as the film’s emotional anchor.
Kelley and Yuki slay so much that their male co-actors are left in the dust.
Jim Pebanco provides much-needed levity.
His portrayal of a pageant trainer and stylist is delightful, offering moments of humor that punctuate the darker themes of the film.
THE HICCUPS
Tony Labrusa, who plays Yuki’s boyfriend, appears to be less committed here than his previous roles.
Itan Rosales, who then plays Kelley’s partner, is a welcome eyecandy, but his line delivery feels wooden.
Marco Gomez and Pancho Magno provide adequate support in their unchallenging roles.
Aside from the uneven acting, the visuals also need improvement.
There’s a jarring inconsistency with the color grading throughout the whole movie.
In one early scene, Olivia was in her house while talking to the police, played by Marco and the charming Angelica Cervantes.
Olivia’s shots are yellowish, while the police’s frames are bright red.
THE VERDICT
Despite these technical flaws, All About Her remains a highly entertaining watch.
It is a smart, character-driven thriller that relies on psychological depth rather than cheap scares.
For the performances of Kelley Day and Yuki Sonoda alone, this film is well worth a watch.
All About Her is now showing in the Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival, until March 29, 2026, in select cinemas in Metro Manila.