Netflix is gearing up for the global release of “The Time That Remains,” a Filipino production that delves into drama, fantasy, and romance. Far from a simple love story, the film presents itself as a sophisticated hybrid of genres, blending a time-defying idyll with the shadows and suspense of a noir thriller.
The Plot: A Timeless Love Under the Shadow of Danger
A Transcendent Romance
“The Time That Remains” revolves around a high-concept premise: the relationship between an immortal man (Carlo Aquino) and a mortal woman (Jasmine Curtis-Smith), whose love must confront her inevitable physical decline. “With each passing day, I have witnessed the death of the people I have loved,” he reveals, capturing the core of his personal tragedy. In this context, immortality is an infinite cycle of attachment and loss. The narrative visualizes their passionate romance only to later confront it with the harsh reality of his beloved’s aging, promising not to abandon her even on her sickbed.
The Shadow of “Noir”
Beyond the fantasy drama, the film weaves a second layer of tension that aligns it with the conventions of noir cinema. The synopsis reveals that a detective on the verge of retirement is investigating a series of mysterious deaths directly connected to the couple’s hidden past. This criminal investigation element introduces a tangible danger and raises the stakes: their extraordinary secret is at risk of being exposed. The love story thus transforms into a struggle for survival, where the past is not a memory but a relentless hunter threatening to destroy the present.
The Existential Dilemma of Eternity
On its deepest level, the film uses its fantastic premise to explore universal questions about the human condition: Does eternal love have value when life is also eternal? This question turns immortality into a lens for examining whether love derives its meaning and urgency precisely from the finiteness of life. The protagonist’s condition functions as a metaphor for trauma and memory—a living archive of pain unable to escape a history that returns to threaten him.
The Leading Duo: Prestige and Interpretive Depth
Carlo Aquino: The Weight of Experience
The role of the immortal lover falls to Carlo Aquino, one of the most established figures in Filipino cinema. His career, which extends from his acclaimed work as a child actor in ’90s classics like Lea’s Story, has evolved into a noteworthy and versatile interpretive maturity. His participation in large-scale historical dramas (Heneral Luna, Goyo: The Boy General), romantic hits (Exes Baggage), and his current leading role in the Filipino adaptation of It’s Okay to Not Be Okay demonstrate a range that allows him to credibly embody the weight of centuries of existence.
Jasmine Curtis-Smith: The Gravity of Auteur Cinema
Jasmine Curtis-Smith, the mortal protagonist, brings an artistic sensibility forged in independent and auteur cinema. Her award-winning performance in Transit (2013) and her roles in cult films like Maybe Tomorrow and the horror film In My Mother’s Skin have established her as an actress who seeks complexity and artistic challenge. Her presence in the cast suggests that the film will seek a balance between the emotion of melodrama and a more restrained, realistic introspection.
The Creative Vision: A Proven Team
Adolfo Alix Jr.: An Architect of Filipino Magical Realism
The film is directed by Adolfo Alix Jr., one of the most prolific and recognized voices in contemporary Filipino cinema. His filmography is characterized by a bold combination of realism with fantastic or “magical realism” elements. Films like Donsol, which was the Philippines’ entry for the Academy Awards, and Death March, screened at the Cannes Film Festival, demonstrate his ability to tackle complex themes with a distinctive visual style. Alix Jr. is known for exploring social ills and the human condition through narratives that, while often somber, are profoundly humanized. His experience makes him the ideal director for a project that demands a balance between the fantastic and the emotionally truthful.
Mixkaela Villalon: The Pen Behind the Mystery
The screenplay was written by Mixkaela Villalon, a writer whose work includes short stories, plays, and scripts for television and film. Her work has been recognized and produced both locally and internationally, including at the prestigious Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. Her interest in exploring the complexities of contemporary Filipino society, as in her project Beastmode, suggests an authorial voice capable of endowing the film’s suspense plot with depth and relevance.
A Proven Synergy: The Alix Jr. – Aquino Collaboration
“The Time That Remains” marks another collaboration between director Adolfo Alix Jr. and actor Carlo Aquino, whose professional relationship has been forged over several projects. This creative familiarity is an invaluable asset for a role that demands deep character exploration. Their collaborative history includes films such as Mater Dolorosa (2012), Death March (2013), Legend of the China Doll (2013), and Whistleblower (2016).
Availability and Premiere
“The Time That Remains” will premiere globally on Netflix on October 16.
