Love You So Bad (2025)

High Notes, Heartbreak, and Heavy Fan Service

I watched Love You So Bad at the Wolfgang Premiere Lounge in Gateway 2, and from early on it struck me as a romance that feels very much like a Wattpad adaptation — engaging, emotional, but somewhat episodic. At times, the film plays like a collection of moments rather than a tightly woven narrative, which made me think it might have worked better as a short digital series. Still, the story is coherent, the emotions land, and the direction keeps things visually and emotionally polished. As a 2025 MMFF entry directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar and written by Crystal Hazel S. San Miguel, the film clearly knows its audience and leans into that intentionally.

Set in a contemporary school environment, the story centres on Savannah “Vanna” Aquino (Bianca de Vera), a young woman learning how to define love on her own terms. She’s torn between Vic (Will Ashley), whose lighthearted and dependable nature brings comfort, and LA (Dustin Yu), a charismatic figure carrying deeper emotional scars. Bianca de Vera carries the film with ease. She makes Savannah feel lived-in and relatable, capturing the vulnerability of someone who mistakes attention for love and settles for less than she deserves. Her performance gives the film its emotional spine, balancing humour, pain, and romantic longing with sincerity. Her scenes with LA, in particular, surprised me — their chemistry is strong and undeniably effective, delivering genuine kilig.

Dustin Yu brings welcome depth to LA, steering the character away from cliché. His performance is restrained but expressive, especially in emotionally heavy moments where his eyes do most of the work. Several scenes clearly moved the audience, and his portrayal carries much of the film’s dramatic weight. Will Ashley, meanwhile, brings charm and warmth to Vic, especially in the lighter moments. While his dramatic beats are more understated, he fits the role well and adds balance to the central triangle. The supporting cast, including Dimples Romana, Agot Isidro, and Xyriel Manabat, rounds out Savannah’s world without distracting from the core story.

Described as a modern take on Dahil Mahal na Mahal Kita, Love You So Bad feels more fan-focused than story-driven. It prioritises emotional beats and romantic moments over narrative depth, which may leave some viewers wanting more. I’m not usually drawn to rom-coms or straightforward love stories, but I found this an easy and pleasant watch. It’s cute, accessible, and clearly designed to please its fans. If you’re here for the kilig and the love teams, it delivers. If you’re after a richer, more layered romance, it may feel a little light — though it does leave you wishing there was more, especially a deeper look into Savannah and LA’s backstory.

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