ALMOST US (2026) Review
Directed by Dan Villegas
Young love captures a very specific kind of love story. Because it almost always tells our first love – those we don’t realize yet, but it gives us all the emotions, from happy to sad. Fyang Smith and JM Ibarra perfectly capture that specific chapter of our lives in ‘Almost Us.’
It’s a classic Filipino romcom trope where two best friends actually have feelings for each other, but need some push for them to confront their feelings.
Dan Villegas, being a good storyteller of romance stories, demonstrated the journey of young love fairly. He knows how to play with the lead characters well, which works on screen, especially in the romantic scenes. He successfully translates the natural, raw chemistry between Fyang and JM with light and fun moments, depicting their friendship truly. By leaning into their organic banter and “asaran” energy, Villegas makes the audience feel like they are part of their inner circle. This authenticity is exactly what makes the shift from friends to lovers so impactful—it doesn’t feel like a scripted plot point, but a natural evolution of two souls who have finally outgrown the boundaries of being “just” best friends.
JM Ibarra is so good in the dramatic scenes. You can feel that he knows his character well; he knows how RR feels and he knows what RR wants and how his character will move forward. Fyang Smith is effective and effortless in the comedic scenes; you’d be questioning yourself if some of the funny scenes were actually scripted or not. The way their styles clash and click at the same time is what makes the movie work; JM provides the emotional anchor while Fyang brings the fun parts.
The best part of the film is that ‘in-between’ transition—moving from friends to lovers without a label or clarification. It’s that uncertain space where you don’t know if you’re becoming a couple or just headed that way. The film perfectly captures the hope, the uncertainty, and the constant fear that starting a relationship might actually ruin the friendship. It’s the kind of love that’s terrifying because you’re in that moment of risking your safest person for a chance to be more than just friends, which may also fail.
And while I did enjoy the film, I do also feel something is lacking in the character of Fyang, Janine. Janine is a student leader, pre-law student, fanfic writer and a best friend to RR. It only goes to situations that are convenient for the story to move forward. I can’t feel Janine struggling with all of those in the film.
But the journey of the two characters from best friends to lovers is what works in the movie. It may be told several times by several actors, but Dan Villegas’ take with Fyang and JM really works. It’s a lovely film that will leave you with a smile on your face even long after the credits roll.
3.5 OUT OF 5 STARS
‘Almost Us’ is now showing in cinemas nationwide from Regal Entertainment, Inc. and Project 8 Projects. Rated PG by the MTRCB.