We have already seen one entry from the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival, and this can be said without hesitation: ‘I’m Perfect’ is not just a film you watch—it is a film you feel.
Headlined by Krystel Daphne Go and Earl Jonathan Amaba, the film boldly places young adults with Down Syndrome at the very center of its narrative. More importantly, it does not stop there. Their friends, families, and community are all given space, voice, and dignity—never reduced to background elements or emotional props.
At its core, ‘I’m Perfect’ is about inclusivity and equality—not as buzzwords, but as lived experience. These characters are not portrayed as “different” in a way that diminishes them. They fall in love. They feel kilig. They get jealous, angry, hurt, and excited. They express affection physically and emotionally.
The only real difference is this: what they feel is exactly what they show—raw, honest, and unapologetically genuine. No masks. No pretensions.
The Weight of Parenthood. One of the film’s strongest emotional anchors is the tension between the young adults and their parents. On one side are children who want to live, love, and decide for themselves. On the other are parents weighed down by fear—fear of what might happen next, fear of letting go.
That fear is powerfully embodied by a formidable supporting cast: Sylvia Sanchez and Joey Marquez on Krystel’s side, and Lorna Tolentino, Tonton Gutierrez, and Zaijian Jaranilla on Earl’s.
There is a particular scene in the film—one moment where you find yourself quietly asking, “Pwede ba ‘yon?” That discomfort, heightened by Janice de Belen’s presence, is exactly where the film succeeds. It challenges assumptions without ever lecturing.
Performances. Directed by Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo, I’m Perfect proves that authentic representation does not require compromise in craft. Many of the lead performers reportedly underwent acting workshops, but if you were not told they were first-timers, you would never guess. You do not see “new actors.” You see good actors.
Krystel, as Jessica, is an acting revelation—natural, emotionally precise, and quietly powerful. Earl is equally disarming. Together, they do not perform love; they simply live it onscreen.
Why This Film Matters. By the time I’m Perfect ends, you no longer see “persons with Down Syndrome.” You see two people in love. That is the film’s greatest triumph.
It refuses to infantilize its characters. It presents them as people—with dreams, desires, agency, boundaries, and dignity. This is representation done with respect, not pity. Sensitivity without condescension.
Yes, the film leans heavily into optimism and warmth. The final moments slightly disrupt that harmony and leave you unsure of what to feel—but even then, the film has already done its work. It breaks stereotypes. It opens doors. It reframes conversations.
LionhearTV‘s Verdict. ‘I’m Perfect’ is not a perfect movie—and that is precisely the point. What it offers is far more valuable than perfection. It offers heart. You will cry. Not quiet tears, but exhausting, cleansing ones. You will not know whether to wipe your face or applaud. Bato na lang ang hindi matatamaan.
This is a film that should be seen by: Persons with Down Syndrome and PWDs, those who are marginalized or infantilized, parents making difficult choices for their children, and yes, even those who consider themselves “normal” because ‘I’m Perfect’ reminds us of something both simple and radical: Tao rin sila—just like us.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5 stars)
