Movie Review : "Sin Island" (2018)

Star Cinema's latest Valentine offering is probably it's most risqué and controversial film to date. A titillating and suspenseful erotic thriller, "Sin Island" is a movie you will not expect from a big company outfit like Star Cinema which is known for it's family-friendly comedies and romance flicks. And that makes this movie even more exciting. 

Directed by Gino M. Santos, "Sin Island" tells the story of a picture-perfect married couple David (Xian Lim) and Kanika (Coleen Garcia) whose paradise in each other’s arms will be put to the test as she enters into a dangerous affair shortly after his career tanks into a downward spiral. As David discovers Kanika’s transgressions, he flees to Sinilaban Island where he meets and engages in a carnal affair with a girl named Tasha (Nathalie Hart). Despite their mistakes, the couple decides to rekindle their marriage, but Tasha refuses to let go of David.

The film starts off in a rather slow but effective introduction to the pitch perfect marriage of David and Kanika. As the story progresses, we witness David plunge into depression after his business falls down the drain. Because of what event, he eventually gave up on life and retreated into staying at home, cleaning the house and doing home based works. On the other hand, Kanika ends up feeling like she is the only one carrying their whole marriage and becomes exhausted of trying to bring back the old David. She ends up being attracted to a pilot (TJ Trinidad) which David soon discovers. This forced him to take the chance to getaway to Sinilaban Island (hence the title) where he meets Tasha whom he became close and ends up sleeping with her. But Kanika soon realizes that he loves her husband more so he goes after him and decided to fight for their marriage.

The film is basically a rip-off of other past erotic thrillers we have seen in he past like Fatal Attraction (1987) and The Boy Next Door (2015),. But what makes this film much more enjoyable than those mentioned is that the film knows how to have fun. And this is very evident with the laughter and screams inside the cinema when we watched the movie. Gino M. Santos is one of the most promising filmmakers of this country today. And so far, "Sin Island" is his most fun and entertaining film to date. 

Xian Lim took quite a big risk in accepting the role of David. It was so refreshing to see him in a character like this because we have been so accustomed to seeing him in romance comedies and dramas before. Coleen Garcia was really good in portraying the role of Kanika. She has definitely gone a long way when it comes to her acting since her first movie, the indie film #Y (also under the direction of Gino M. Santos). But the real break-out star of this film is Nathalie Hart who plays the antagonist Tasha. She is like the equivalent of Anne Curtis' Kara in "No Other Woman" and Glenn Close's Alex in "Fatal Attraction". Her character goes through a lot of transformation all throughout the film and she was able to be consistent in her character. She also gets to throw most of the film's funniest and unforgettable lines like "I only give my puta self to the man I love."

Technical-wise, this is one gorgeous picture. From the beautiful location of the island to the stunning cinematography, everything is just so pretty and perfect. The scene when David and Tasha first had sex was probably one of the most beautifully shot bed scenes I've seen. It's actually way better than the past "Fifty Shades" movies combined. The execution and direction of the scene was so artistic and sexy at the same time. Then, there are those zoom in shots of the characters which add some campy feel to the movie, like those films from the 80's.And don't start me with that alluring soundtrack featuring KZ Tandingan's cover of "Isang Linggong Pag-ibig".

 The film itself is made more fun because of the sudden shifts in tone from the first to the second half of the film. It change gears and turns into a "Fatal Attraction" type of thriller that will shock viewers and put everyone at the edge of their seats. People were really screaming during the final act of the film and it was so fun hearing them. I must say that Gino M. Santos definitively knows his genre because he maneuvers the film smoothly and very effectively. If he has other plans for a movie like this, then I am looking forward to it.

"Sin Island" is the type of movie best seen when you're with someone, with your partner of friends. It's a sexy yet fun and exciting roller-coaster ride of emotions. An intoxicating serving of a film that is worth the price of admission.

Rating: ✰✰✰✰✰  of 5