Dear Satan: A Bold and Controversial Take

Another creative film made by Filipinos, Dear Satan, has a concept title that is both controversial and catchy. I watched the trailer, and I liked how the music contrasts with the title. Instead of being a thriller, they made it childish and quirky, which works well. It's quite courageous for the production team to make this film because it goes against the grain, especially since most Filipinos are religious. However, it's also very creative of the writers to come up with this plot.

Having now seen the film, I must say I like it. Even though the title seems predictable, the concept is fresh because it hasn’t been done before. The bold title adds to the uniqueness. I'm impressed with how amazing it turned out. However, based on the trailer, there are a few things I noticed.

The dark humor might not sit well with parents who allow their children to watch the film. The movie is seemingly aimed at minors, but if they aren’t open-minded, some scenes might come across as sensitive.

To me, it was clear that Satan would become good by the end of the movie—after all, children's films usually have happy endings—but that still depends on how well the story is structured.

One scene I liked from the trailer was when Satan entered the church to bring the girl to the God, possibly because he wanted God to save the girl from an accident. It was a really cool way to end the teaser.

The film is lighthearted and good for kids, but introducing bad manners and flipping the traditional narrative of a well-known Filipino character might not be easily accepted by most Filipinos, especially those who are deeply religious, particularly in Luzon and Visayas. Christians can be sensitive about these things.

The film might either have a lower ROI or not, depending on the reception. The target audience seems to be minors, with the intention of teaching them the lesson that an innocent child, guided by faith and the goodness of the Lord, can resist temptation and embody the virtues of righteousness.

The message is positive, with the antagonist potentially becoming the protagonist in the end. However, the film's interpretation might not sit well with more close-minded Filipinos, as it could hurt religious beliefs or clash with the colonial mentality that still exists in the Philippines.

Overall, this type of film, with its contrarian concept, is something I enjoy. Don’t cry, MTRCB—I’m not a feature film director yet, but I plan to offer more of this kind of creativity in the future!