Arzen Rose Dulzura

REVIEW: ‘Almost Us’ turns yearning into something painfully real

Article (news)

Jemuel Tandoc

Push Team

<p>Following the breakout success and massive anticipation surrounding the first solo major movie of their new gen love team JMFyang, JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith finally take lead in <em>Almost Us</em>. But beyond the hype surrounding the pairing, do they truly manage to make viewers feel the ache and uncertainty of an almost-love?</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:600px;display:block" width="600"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1778897750366NEW THUMB - 2026-05-16T101801.130.jpg" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="600"/><span class="fr-inner">Courtesy: Regal Entertainment, Inc.</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:600px;display:block" width="600"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1778897696824NEW THUMB - 2026-05-16T101701.963.jpg" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="600"/><span class="fr-inner">Courtesy: Regal Entertainment, Inc.</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p><em>Almost Us </em>follows best friends RR and Janine, with the former hopelessly in love with his best friend while the latter remains infatuated with superstar Kenzo. But as RR eventually finds someone who appreciates him for who he is, will Janine finally realize the love that has been in front of her all along?</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>An All-Too-Familiar Trope Done Right</strong></div><p>We’ve seen this kind of story before — from Marvin Agustin and Jolina Magdangal’s ‘<em>Labs Kita... Okey Ka Lang?’</em> to Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson’s <em>‘Paano Na Kaya</em>.’ But just when it feels like <em>Almost Us</em> might simply follow the same familiar formula, the film slowly proves it has a charm and identity of its own through its Gen Z sensibilities, humor, and modern take on almost-love — even shaping up to become this generation’s own best-friend love story.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:600px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1778897616487NEW THUMB - 2026-05-16T101538.755.jpg" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Courtesy: Regal Entertainment, Inc.</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Right from the start, the film effectively builds the closeness between RR and Janine in a way that feels natural and believable, thanks to Dan Villegas’s direction, which once again proves his knack for romantic comedies. The scenes between the two flow with an easy charm that makes their connection instantly endearing to watch.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Writing the Almosts</strong></div><p>True to its title, the film is filled with “almosts” — almost confessing true feelings, almost losing someone important, almost finding the right timing, and almost ending up with the person you like. At times, the characters talk a lot, yet many important emotions are still left unsaid, and somehow that restraint works in the film’s favor.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:600px;display:block" width="600"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1778897548863NEW THUMB - 2026-05-16T101439.068.jpg" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="600"/><span class="fr-inner">Courtesy: Regal Entertainment, Inc.</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>The characters make plenty of frustrating decisions when it comes to both life and love, but instead of becoming annoying, the film somehow makes viewers understand where they are coming from. After all, many of these messy emotions and questionable choices seem familiar at that young age, which only makes the story feel more real.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:600px;display:block" width="600"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1778897489165NEW THUMB - 2026-05-16T101338.275.jpg" style="width:600px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="600"/><span class="fr-inner">Courtesy: Regal Entertainment, Inc.</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:600px;display:block" width="600"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1778897424323NEW THUMB - 2026-05-16T101233.980.jpg" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="600"/><span class="fr-inner">Courtesy: Regal Entertainment, Inc.</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>At the same time, the writing occasionally introduces ideas and character details without fully developing them. Janine’s pre-law aspirations, for instance, feel more like just a mention than genuinely explored. Meanwhile, RR’s volunteerism arc had the potential to add more depth to his character, but it was not fleshed out enough.</p><p>There are also a few scenes that work in adding humor and charm in the moment, though some of them feel slightly disconnected when looked at within the bigger picture of the story.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>They Make the Almosts Felt</strong></div><p>We’ve met them first as reality show alumni and have already seen glimpses of their acting chops in previous projects, but in <em>Almost Us</em>, JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith ultimately prove that they are not just capable of acting, but of carrying a film as lead stars.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:600px;display:block" width="600"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1778897207343NEW THUMB - 2026-05-16T100850.382.jpg" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="600"/><span class="fr-inner">Courtesy: Regal Entertainment, Inc.</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>JM shines through his restrained and natural performance, paired with effective comedic timing and a portrayal of yearning that never feels overly dramatic. He makes RR’s insecurities feel grounded and believable, while still making viewers empathize with the character and root for him throughout the film.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:600px;display:block" width="600"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1778897128523NEW THUMB - 2026-05-16T100734.356.jpg" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="600"/><span class="fr-inner">Courtesy: Regal Entertainment, Inc.</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Meanwhile, Fyang’s portrayal of Janine is equally engaging to watch. She brings charm to the clingy best friend archetype while also delivering the emotional moments when needed. One standout moment comes in her scene with character actress Che Ramos, where the Pinoy Big Brother Gen 11 Big Winner proves she can express so much even in silence.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:600px;display:block" width="600"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1778896882542NEW THUMB - 2026-05-16T100328.643.jpg" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="600"/><span class="fr-inner">Courtesy: Regal Entertainment, Inc.</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Another worthy of mention is Yukii Takahashi, who plays Janine’s romantic rival in the film. The actress makes the most out of her role and brings enough nuance and presence to the character. Because of this, she effectively feels like someone who could genuinely threaten Janine’s place in RR’s life.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Yearning Hits Different Here</strong></div><p>At its core, <em>Almost Us</em> draws its strength not just from the familiar idea of falling in love with a friend, but from how deeply human its emotions feel. The film succeeds in making viewers remember what it’s like to love someone a little too much, to struggle staying mad at a person, or to slowly revolve your world around someone else. In many ways, the emotions hit because they feel painfully familiar.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:600px;display:block" width="600"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1778896802379NEW THUMB - 2026-05-16T100203.572.jpg" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="600"/><span class="fr-inner">Courtesy: Regal Entertainment, Inc.</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>You eventually grow with the characters because, at some point in life, many of us have probably been a Janine or an RR too. And borrowing from one of the film’s own sentiments, this is the kind of tandem and story that deserves to be shared with the world, too.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="913" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7Syb_uhtdN0" title="ALMOST US | Official Trailer — May 6, 2026 in Cinemas! | Fyang Smith and JM Ibarra #JMFyang" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>See JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith bring the highs and heartbreaks of almost-love to life in <em>Almost Us</em>, now screening in cinemas nationwide.</p>

<p>'Almost Us' explores the bittersweet feeling of being young, hopeful, and yearning for a kind of love that may never fully be yours.</p>

'Almost Us' explores the bittersweet feeling of being young, hopeful, and yearning for a kind of love that may never fully be yours.