Movie Review: Open Endings

Open Endings is an unexpected gem—one of those films that catches you off guard with its warmth, humor, and honesty. Watching it felt less like seeing a movie and more like peeking into the lives of four queer women who are young, wild, and free.

The film shines in its naturality. The witty, unforced dialogue and fluid screenplay make the story flow seamlessly, while the cinematography doesn’t just capture the moments—it allows the audience to sneak into the intimacy of the characters’ lives. This free-flowing quality is rare, and it makes Open Endings one of the most refreshing Filipino lesbian queer films I’ve seen in recent years.

What elevates the film even more is the fantastic ensemble of Janella Salvador, Klea Pineda, Jasmin Curtis-Smith, and Leanne Bautista. Janella bares her heart with charm and lightness, serving as the fun and playful soul of the film. Klea commands the screen with her presence and quiet masculinity, offering a balance of strength and vulnerability. Jasmin anchors the story with emotional depth, grounding the narrative in sincerity and heart. Meanwhile, Leanne’s natural and effortless acting brings a sense of cuteness and authenticity that rounds out the group beautifully. Together, the four create a dynamic that feels lived-in, authentic, and deeply relatable.

What makes Open Endings truly stand out is how it treats queer love stories with tenderness and humor, without over-explaining or dramatizing. It celebrates chosen families, enduring friendships, and the messy, beautiful entanglements of love and adulthood.

In a festival full of heavy dramas, Open Endings emerges as a dark horse—funny, heartfelt, and quietly profound. It’s a film that proves queer stories can be both entertaining and deeply moving, and it left me with a smile and a full heart.

Open Endings is one of the best Filipino lesbian queer films to come out in years—warm, witty, and wonderfully free-spirited. A true Cinemalaya 2025 surprise.

My Verdict: 5/5