MANILA, Philippines — Actress Jodi Sta. Maria emphasized that her latest film, “Midnight Girls,” aims to explore the underlying motivations behind its characters’ decisions rather than merely presenting the actions themselves.
The discussion arose after a moviegoer posted a review online framing the story’s main conflict as a simple issue of seeking better employment.
“Life choice: I think you can still find a decent job if you really want to. Just saying,” the viewer wrote in a Letterboxd review of the film.
After the comment circulated on social media, Sta. Maria addressed the critique on October 4.
“Sure there are always other choices. Pero honestly, yan na yung take away mo sa buong film?” she wrote.
The actress noted that an individual’s decisions are deeply tied to their personal circumstances and lived realities.
“Para sa ‘kin it was more about understanding that people make choices based on their situation, struggles, and survival,” she said.
“Malungkot ang realidad na hindi lahat nabibigyan ng same opportunities, support, or even starting point sa buhay.”
Directed by Irene Villamor, “Midnight Girls” centers on four Filipina entertainers working in Nagoya, Japan. Portrayed by Sta. Maria, Sanya Lopez, Loisa Andalio, and Jane Oineza, the characters navigate complex social environments while working abroad to support their families.
The feature has drawn attention for highlighting the sacrifices and economic pressures driving its characters, avoiding surface-level judgment of their line of work.
Sta. Maria urged audiences to view the film through a more compassionate lens rather than reducing complex socioeconomic struggles to easy career alternatives.
“Sadly, life is not as simple as ‘just find a decent job,’” she said.