Ang mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan (film) explained

Ang mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan
Director:	Chito S. Roño
Story:	Bob Ong
Producer:	Kriz G. Gazmen
Starring:	Joshua Garcia Angie Ferro
Cinematography:	Eli Balce
Editing:	Carlo Francisco Manatad
Music:	Andrew Florentino
Studio:	Regal Entertainment Black Sheep Productions CSR Films PH
Distributor:	Regal Entertainment Regal Home Video Amazon Prime Video
Runtime:	113 minutes
Country:	Philippines
Language:	Filipino

Ang mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan (lit. Mama Susan's Friends) is a 2023 Philippine horror thriller film based on Bob Ong's 2010 mystery novel of the same name directed by Chito S. Roño and written by Bob Ong. It stars Joshua Garcia and Angie Ferro in her last film as she died on August 17, 2023.^{[1] [2]}

Plot

The story follows the life of Gilberto "Galo" Manansala, a student from Manila, through his journal entries supposedly as a project for school. In his notes, Galo chose to chronicle the creepy experiences he felt in his grandmother's house. His grandmother whom he calls Mama Susan.

The horror began when Galo returned to their province to look after his Mama Susan. As his curiosity grew, he started seeing weird things and hearing creepy footsteps.

Together with kids Niko and Jezel, Galo begins to uncover the secrets surrounding their community and his grandmother's role in the cult.

Cast

• Joshua Garcia as Galo: He is a student at an unidentified college in Manila, living an ordinary life under the care of his aunt. He has lived with this family since high school and he says that he is thankful for everything that his aunt's family has provided him. At sixteen he is young for a college student, and mentions that he started school at a very young age. Little is known about his appearance, except that he wears glasses and has a short haircut which causes him to be teased as a military cadet. He can be described as a typical male college student from his first journal entries, despite family matters. It can also be concluded that he is intelligent because, in his journal, he states that even though he spaces out in class while writing in his journal, he still manages to recite and get the correct answer. He also gets an offer from an instructor to write in a publication. It is hinted that he can play the guitar.^[3]
• Angie Ferro as Mama Susan: Galo's grandmother and the leader of a religious group in their province. She is sick when Galo returns to her home.^[4]
• Jewel Milag as Jezel
• Yñigo Delen as Niko
• Ricky Davao as Tiyo Dindo: Auring's husband and Galo's uncle who secretly helps Galo in paying his tuition without the knowledge of Galo's aunt, Tiya Auring.
• Melissa Mendez as Tiya Auring: Galo's primary guardian and the sister of Galo's mom. She has four children and is aloof and stern, according to Galo's description. He says that he tries not to get involved with his aunt as long as he can get away with it. She is bossy and loud.
• Vangie Labalan as Aling Delia: The right-hand woman of Mama Susan.
• Kelvin Miranda as Louie^[5]
• Mon Confiado as Bangkero
• Archi Adamos as Mangingisda
• Soliman Cruz as Mang Narcing
• Sarah Edwards as Andrea
• Patrick Quiroz as Jovit
• Henz Villaraiz as Roy
• Dexter Doria as Mrs. Lao
• Menggie Cobarrubias as Dean
• Rolando Inocencio as Priest
• Alex Cortez as Tagasibak ng Kahoy
• Liya Sarmiento as Manggugulay
• Rhed Bustamante as Sheryl^[6]

Extended

• Ario Bayu as Horibe
• Kanna Hashimoto as Ellie
• Endhita as Miyuki
• Hina Kino as Bridget
• Rico Tampatty as Hanada
• Shannon Chan-Kent as Sayo
• Haruka Ayase as Natasha
• Mikha Tambayong as Villager
• Ashleigh Ball as Girlfriend
• Kent Itō as Brendan
• Sakiko Takao as Girl
• Riko Fukumoto as Fabiana
• Yuki Morinaga as Raymond
• Maki Sakai as Dark Figure
• Julie Estelle as Miki
• Shun'ichi Toki as Bride
• Tatjana Saphira as Setsu
• Mone Kamishiraishi as Eva
• Hideyuki Kasahara as Yee
• Shuji Okui as Carl
• Mansaku Ikeuchi as Greg
• Hideto Iwai as Shane
• Eita Okuno as Warren
• Nene Shida as Jodie
• Ayaka Imoto as Annie
• Yuki Kura as Matt
• Ayumi Tanida as Blake
• Toshi Takeuchi as Kyle
• Mayu Yoshioka as Jess
• Donny Alamsyah as Sabin

Production

In March 2016, a possible film adaptation of the book had been teased on Bob Ong's Facebook page. On February 6, 2020, it was announced that the book will finally be adapted into film, starring Joshua Garcia as Galo, which will be directed by Chito S. Roño and will be co-produced by Black Sheep Productions and Regal Entertainment.^[7]

Filming

The shooting was postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines and was resumed on June 20, 2020, after the cast and crew went in self-quarantine. The film was shot in Magalang, Pampanga.^[8]

Release

The film was released on May 18, 2023, on Amazon Prime Video.^[9] It was previously set on December 25, 2020 as official entry of 2020 Metro Manila Film Festival

Reception

Lé Baltar of Rappler gave the film a negative review and wrote: If there is anything that the film gets right, it's the point that adopting a written work for the screen, no matter how rich and potent, takes a lot more than being well versed in the original material.^[10]

Carlos Pineda of Spin.ph criticize the execution of the film and he said: Overall, Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan tries to creatively bring something new into the horror mystery genre, but ends up looking lost in terms of execution. Looking back, I reflected if the film's obsession with audience interpretation was the best method given that some of the narratives weren't really fleshed out.^[11]

Notes and References

1. News: Atilano . Joseph R. . May 14, 2023 . 'Ang Mga Kaibigan Ni Mama Susan': From Book to a Regal Movie . September 19, 2023 . Philippine Daily Inquirer.
2. News: Veteran actress Angie Ferro dies at 86 . ABS-CBN News . August 17, 2023.
3. Web site: LOOK: Joshua Garcia joins cast of Bob Ong's 'Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan' . Inquirer . 11 February 2020 . 18 December 2020.
4. Web site: Gabinete . Jojo . May 18, 2023 . Ang Mga Kaibigan Ni Mama Susan, posibleng huling pelikula na ng veteran actress na si Angie Ferro . September 19, 2023 . PEP.ph.
5. Web site: Chua . EJ . May 15, 2023 . Kelvin Miranda, mapapanood sa mystery film na 'Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan' . September 19, 2023 . GMA Network.
6. Web site: April 14, 2023 . BREAKING: Ang Mga Kaibigan Ni Mama Susan Is Set To Premiere This May On Prime Video – #MamaSusanOnPrimeVideo . September 20, 2023 . Regal Entertainment.
7. News: Another Bob Ong novel makes it to big screen. CNN Philippines. February 6, 2020. February 6, 2020. July 14, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200714215735/https://cnnphilippines.com/entertainment/2020/2/6/bob-ong-novel-movie-adaptation.html. dead.
8. Web site: Lalin . Jun . June 8, 2020 . Joshua, Sasabak na sa new normal shooting! . September 19, 2023 . The Philippine Star.
9. Web site: Rodriguez III . Feliciano . May 3, 2023 . 'Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan' out this May . Manila Bulletin.
10. Web site: Baltar . Lé . May 22, 2023 . 'Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan' review: An adaptation that bites off more than it can chew . September 19, 2023 . Rappler.
11. Web site: Pineda . Carlos . May 27, 2023 . REVIEW: 'Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan' struggles in terms of execution . October 11, 2023 . Spin.ph.