Co-Love (2025)

A Confusing Collaboration That Fails to Connect

"Co-Love," directed by Jill Singson Urdaneta, is a 2025 Filipino romantic comedy featuring Alexa Ilacad, KD Estrada, Jameson Blake, and Kira Balinger. The film centres around two content creators navigating their messy romantic entanglements while attempting an unlikely collaboration. With themes of love, friendship, and the complexities of modern relationships, the film holds promise but falls short in execution.

From the get-go, the film struggles to establish a clear vision. The editing is haphazard, the lighting inconsistent, and the sound design grating. Ironically, despite the protagonists being content creators, the quality of their "content"—and the film's overall technical aspects—is subpar. Awkward framing, poorly edited sequences, and clunky transitions make the viewing experience visually and aurally jarring.

The plot is equally chaotic. Events unfold without cohesion, with forced scenarios and shallow storytelling that lack emotional weight. The characters repeatedly deliver quotable lines, but without meaningful scenes to support them, the dialogue feels hollow. Attempts to tackle social media addiction and self-discovery are muddled, failing to deliver any profound commentary.

The saving grace of "Co-Love" lies in its cast. Alexa Ilacad shines with her effortless comedic timing and emotional depth, balancing humour and drama with finesse. KD Estrada brings intensity to his role, and his musical performance (the song "Di Ko Pinili") is a standout moment. Kira Balinger's over-the-top antics add a layer of charm, and Jameson Blake's understated portrayal quietly resonates. Despite their efforts, even this talented ensemble cannot salvage the film from its messy script and direction.

"Co-Love" teeters on the edge of satire, almost parodying itself with its exaggerated portrayal of influencer culture. While the concept of juxtaposing social media's frivolity with deeper emotional narratives holds potential, the execution here is far too disjointed. The movie ultimately feels like a missed opportunity—what could have been a bold, refreshing take on modern relationships instead devolves into a forgettable and frustrating watch.

The film's attempts to pander to Gen Z audiences with trendy tropes and superficial romantic beats feel patronising rather than engaging. It’s disappointing to see promising actors saddled with such lacklustre material, leaving viewers longing for a more thoughtful and cohesive story.

In the end, "Co-Love" isn’t a collaboration; it’s a chaotic clash of ideas that fail to connect—both with its audience and within itself.

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