PEE MAK (2026): 4.8/5 ⭐ We went to Market! Market! to take advantage of the Buy 1, Take 1 movie ticket promo every Monday and decided to watch Pee Mak. There were also quite a number of senior citizens at the cinema, who I assumed were there to take advantage of a possible free movie pass. It was nice seeing people of different ages enjoying the cinema experience. WHAT WORKED FOR ME 1. The cast and their chemistry The chemistry among the cast is one of the film’s strongest assets. Everyone brings something different to the table, and their comedic timing makes the group dynamic work. If I’m not mistaken, this is Gian Bernardino’s first acting project, and I have to commend him for a very impressive debut. He carried his character well and showed a natural sense of timing. TJ Valderrama, on the other hand, delivered some of the funniest lines for me. His humor and delivery were such a treat! Wilbert Ross did a great job as Pee Mak, while Bea Binene balanced the comedy, romance, and emotional moments beautifully. Shoutout to Vandolph Quizon and Jairus Aquino, who were consistently on point with their delivery. The ensemble made the film feel lively without relying on just one person to carry the comedy. 2. The Filipino identity I love how the adaptation made the story feel Filipino. From the names and dialogue to the nipa hut, lambanog, and other familiar cultural elements, the movie embraced its local identity. It did not feel like a simple attempt to copy a foreign film. It made an effort to bring the story closer to Filipino audiences through our humor, traditions, and sensibilities. This is where the adaptation shines: it takes a familiar story and makes it enjoyable in our own way. 3. The humor and entertainment value The movie delivers plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, making it an enjoyable watch with family and friends. It balances comedy with romance and horror, although the humor is definitely the biggest draw for me. I also appreciate that beneath all the jokes, the story still has an emotional core. It is not just about the funny antics and supernatural encounters; there is a love story that gives the film its heart. WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER 1. The visual effects I wish the film had given more attention to the visual effects, particularly the ghost sequences. For instance, the ghost’s hand could have been executed more convincingly to make the supernatural scenes look more polished. 2. A few areas could have used more polish While the comedy worked for me overall, I think there were opportunities to refine certain visual and storytelling details. An adaptation has the challenge of honoring the original while establishing its own identity, and a little more attention to those details could have made the film even stronger. That said, these are relatively minor concerns in an otherwise entertaining movie. OVERALL VERDICT I enjoyed Pee Mak. It is funny, charming, and proudly Filipino, with a cast whose chemistry makes the experience worthwhile. Gian’s debut was a pleasant surprise, TJ delivered some of my favorite comedic moments, and the entire ensemble contributed to the film’s energy. My main concern is the visual effects, which could have been more polished. But that did not take away my overall enjoyment of the movie. 4.8/5 — A fun Filipino horror-comedy that proves a familiar story can still entertain when given our own local flavor. DEFINITELY WORTH THE WATCH! #PeeMak #WilbertRoss