Director Dan Villegas was himself surprised when the story of “Uninvited,” the suspense-thriller entry in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), came from its lead star, Vilma Santos.
Admittedly, “Uninvited” is Vilma’s “dream project,” a story that happens in only 24 hours. Direk Dan and Dado Dayao completed the story.
The screenplay by Dodo Dayao happened only in one day and Direk Dan is thankful the “Star for All Seasons” gave her nod to the project.
The multi-awarded actress plays Eva Candelaria/Lilia, the mom waiting for the last ten years to exact revenge on the billionaire who murdered her only daughter and escaped justice.
Disguised as a socialite, Vilma attends Guilly’s (Aga Muhlach) opulent event with a single goal: revenge. As the night unfolds, she carefully stalks each person involved in the murder of her daughter, inching closer to her ultimate target.
Who is the real villain of the story? Is it Guilly or his daughter Nicole.
Unarmed and without a concrete plan, Eva must make life or death choices as her options dwindle. Will Lily/Eva fulfill her mission or will the night claim her life instead?
Jointly produced by Mentorque Productions and Project 8 Productions, “Uninvited” has John Bryan Diamante as executive producer.
The screen reunion of Vilma and Aga could not have happened at a better time than this Christmas, when they topbill “Uninvited,” that leads the official entries.
After three decades, Vilma and Aga teamed up anew on the big screen. Their first pairing was Maryo J. de los Reyes’ “Sinungaling Mong Puso” (1992). They later worked together two years later in director Jose Javier Reyes’ “Nag-iisang Ikaw” (1994).
“When the story of ‘Uninvited’ was still being conceptualized, we knew the story is not really easy to put together,” Vilma said. “Initially, we even called it ‘Project Red.’ But when they laid down everything, we realized all the characters were important for the film to be effective.
“After the story was finalized, I talked to Direk Dan and we decided on the theme. We had no other choice to play Guilly. The first name that came up was Aga Muhlach.
“When Aga Muhlach called me up to confirm if we would do a film again, I told him to accept the project. Otherwise, isasauli ko ang kandila. Ninang nila ako ni Charlene (Gonzalez) sa kasal. I told him to accept the offer dahil gusto ko na siyang bakbakan.”
To Aga, he could not say no to the offer. “I just asked her if she would do the film and if it was true. She really didn’t need to talk at length or convince me. It comes in threes. Proud ako sa first two films that we did.
“This is our third film together and sobra akong proud of this third one. This early, I’m already excited. Thank you for getting me to be part of this film.”
The last time Vilma acted in a suspense-thriller was in Maryo J. de los Reyes’ “Tagos ng Dugo” (1987).
Vilma’s husband, Secretary Ralph Recto and son Ryan were present at the grand media launch of “Uninvited” at Solaire North.
“Sa lahat ng mga invited guests, we would like to say ‘thank you’ for spending time in our lunch of this movie na aming pong ipinagmamalaki,” Vilma said. “We are very lucky that we are part of the 50th golden anniversary of Metro Manila Film Festival.
“Malaking karangalan ko po na makasama ang mga artistang kasama ko dito sa Uninvited. Karangalan ko pong malaki to be directed for the first time by Direk Dan Villegas. To our friends from the media and our personal friends, maraming-maraming salamat.”
The powerful ensemble cast is led by eight-time Gawad Urian best actress winner, FAMAS best actress, four-time MMFF winner and longest-reigning box office queen of Philippine cinema, Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos (Lilia/Eva Candelaria).
Gawad Urian, MMFF and two-time FAMAS Awards best actress and multi-media superstar Nadine Lustre (Nicole), Gawad Urian, FAMAS, Star Awards for Movies and MMFF best actor Aga Muhlach (as billionaire Guily Vega);
Other stars include 2024 Cinemalaya best actress Gabby Padilla (Lily), 2024 Star Awards New Movie Actor of the Year nominee Ron Angeles (Mark), Gawad Urian and Cinemalaya best supporting actor Ketchup Eusebio (Jomar).
The others are Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino best supporting actor Gio Alvarez (Randall), Gawad Urian best supporting actor nominee RK Bagatsing (Jigger), multi-decorated actor and one of the pillars of Philippine entertainment Tirso Cruz III (Red).
Others in the stellar are Nonie Buencamino (Elmer), Lotlot de Leon (Norma), Mylene Dizon (Katrina), Elijah Canlas (Tofy), Cholo Barretto (Celso), Ron Angeles (Mark).
