Scary, sexy thriller “Playtime” was a project too enticing for actor Xian Lim to turn down. Even without knowing the full story, Xian disclosed at the press conference last Saturday at Fin and Claw in Quezon City that he agreed to join the film, placing his full trust in GMA, which has given him out-of-the-box roles since his transfer in 2021. He recalled his role as a pregnant man in “False Positive,” emphasizing the unique opportunities he’s received at GMA.
In “Playtime,” Xian takes on a challenging role as Lucas, a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Lucas is a sexual deviant who hides his true identity to victimize women. He encounters three women from different walks of life: vlogger-influencer Allyson (Sanya Lopez), bride-to-be Roni (Coleen Garcia), and Patricia (Faye Lorenzo), who is trying to escape her abusive ex.
“Playtime” marks the first-ever big-screen project for both Sanya and Xian. Sanya noted that the film showcases different sides of her and her co-actors, offering something new for moviegoers. “We did many things here for the first time. It’s a unique suspense thriller compared to the usual ones. There’s something I did here that you’ll see for the first time,” shared the Sparkle actress. “Our characters are all different, and so are our stories. I hope you’ll watch it because it’s exciting and very suspenseful. I hope you feel how breathless and hard we worked on this story,” she added.
Xian, meanwhile, took his role preparations seriously. “Physically, I bulked up for this role. When they offered me the role, they mentioned that Lucas would be after the three girls. I thought I should move away from the boy-next-door, loving son, romantic lead image and build a bigger physique. I wanted to ensure that if I’m with three girls, they won’t be able to get away from me. So I made a conscious effort to gain muscle mass for this. Mentally, it was about getting into the mindset of playing a psychopath. It was a bit hard, but I managed,” he said.
Xian’s fellow Viva artist, Coleen Garcia, also expressed her excitement about being part of this latest film from GMA Pictures and Viva Films. “All the characters are really interesting.
It’s very thrilling, very suspenseful,” she said.
Faye Lorenzo also made sure she was physically and mentally ready for her character, Patricia. “Of course, the first thing was working out because we have some skin-baring scenes. And of course, I studied the character. First, I read the script and then studied the character,” she explained.
“Playtime” is directed by esteemed director Mark A. Reyes V, who also conceived the film’s story and original concept. The idea for “Playtime,” he said, was born during the pandemic when everyone was confined, leading to a sense of claustrophobia that permeates the movie.
Regarding his stars, Director Mark praised the professionalism of Sanya, Coleen, Faye, and Xian, who gave their best even in potentially dangerous stunts. He also dispelled rumors about Xian being difficult to work with, appreciating the ease of working with someone who is not only a terrific talent but also a fellow filmmaker.
“Playtime” also stars Bruce Roeland, Haley Dizon, Kim Perez, Lienel Navidad, and Camille Patricia Guzman. It will be showing in cinemas nationwide beginning June 12.
