There was a time when romantic movies could effortlessly make audiences smile, blush, laugh, and cry all in one sitting.
Over the years, that kind of genuine kilig became harder to find. But ‘Almost Us’ surprisingly brings that feeling back—and does so with sincerity.
Directed by Dan Villegas, the film centers on the emotionally complicated space between friendship and romance, anchored by the fresh but undeniably effective pairing of JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith.
From the moment the film begins, one thing becomes immediately clear: The chemistry between JM and Fyang is real, effortless, and incredibly easy to root for.
This is the kind of love team dynamic that doesn’t feel manufactured. Their interactions flow naturally, their silences speak volumes, and their emotional moments land exactly where they should. One particular kissing scene even reportedly sent audiences inside cinemas screaming in excitement—a testament to how invested viewers had already become in their story.
What makes ‘Almost Us’ work so well is its balance. The film never overindulges in drama nor does it rely solely on kilig moments to survive. Instead, it carefully blends romance, humor, heartbreak, and emotional realism into a story that feels authentic from start to finish.
The “best friends to lovers” trope has been done countless times, but the film manages to make it feel refreshing again because of how grounded the storytelling is. There’s no unnecessary exaggeration. No forced emotional manipulation. Just two characters navigating emotions many viewers will likely relate to.
Fyang Smith emerges as one of the biggest revelations of the film. She performs with a level of emotional honesty that makes even the simplest scenes effective. There are moments where she doesn’t even seem like she’s acting anymore—she simply exists within the character naturally. Her comedic timing works, her dramatic scenes hit emotionally, and she carries herself with the confidence of someone far beyond a newcomer status.
JM Ibarra, meanwhile, perfectly complements her energy. He doesn’t oversell scenes and instead allows sincerity and charm to carry his performance. Together, they create a believable connection that becomes the emotional backbone of the movie.
Visually, the film also deserves praise. The cinematography is clean and intimate, while the camera work helps amplify emotional tension without becoming distracting. Even the dialogue feels simple but impactful—something that modern romance films sometimes forget in trying too hard to sound poetic.
Produced by Regal Entertainment and Project 8 Projects, ‘Almost Us’ succeeds because it understands exactly what its audience wants: not just kilig, but emotional connection.
And perhaps that is the film’s greatest achievement.
It reminds viewers what it feels like to genuinely feel something again while watching a love story.
More than introducing a promising new tandem, ‘Almost Us’ may have just introduced one of this generation’s most emotionally effective pairings. JM and Fyang do not merely look good together onscreen—they make audiences believe in the story they are telling.
Rating: 3.5/5
