OUT OF ORDER (2025) Review
Directed by Alden Richards
Court drama stories are meticulous to make because the details are everything. Alden Richards’ directorial debut film, ‘Out of Order,’ shows enough details needed in the film for the audience to absorb, interpret and speculate. What makes Out of Order engaging is not only the legal battle at its core but also the personal dilemmas faced by its characters. Family ties, moral integrity, and professional duty collide in ways that feel both believable and relatable. By balancing these personal struggles with broader themes of justice and corruption, Richards crafts a courtroom drama that’s entertaining enough for the audience to enjoy and reflect upon.
What stands out to me in Richards’ direction is how smoothly the comedic scenes are inserted. The film is primarily a drama, specifically a courtroom drama that explores family issues, crime, and romance. You would think that a film about a man who has long forgotten his father, who resurfaces due to serious legal issues, wouldn’t have comic relief. But with Nicco Manalo and Joyce Ching as his co-actors, Richards manages to bring a bit of fun into the film and some of it is the film’s highlights. Maybe Alden, as a director, can try to do a comedy as his next project.
Another worth noting is the tension between Richards and Peralejo’s characters. This is the first time the two worked on a project but their chemistry felt like this wasn’t their first.
What bothered me, though, was the TV language. Some of the scenes felt a bit teleserye-y. The film could have used more mood build-ups for a more cinematic look and feel. Still, it’s a decent directorial debut for Richards, exploring not just one theme but several layers of justice, morality, and personal struggle, carried by strong performances from his actors, including himself. In the end, Out of Order proves that while Alden Richards is still finding his voice as a filmmaker, he already has the vision and courage to tell stories that matter.
3 OUT OF 5 STARS
‘Out of Order’ is now streaming on Netflix from Viva Films, Studio Viva and Myriad Entertainment.