Mayumi: A Small Film About Big Feelings That Almost Gets There
So here's the thing about coming-of-age dramas — they live or die by how honestly they capture those messy, embarrassing moments when desire crashes into reality and nobody knows what to do with it. Mayumi takes a swing at exactly that story, and while it doesn't land every punch, there's something genuine simmering beneath the surface.
The story follows Lance, a shy college guy whose world gets shaken up when Mayumi, a girl with more confidence than he knows what to do with, decides to introduce him to, well, grown-up feelings. What starts as innocent curiosity spirals into something neither of them saw coming — actual emotional connection mixed with physical attraction and all the confusion that entails. Their friends Mimi and Bryan are orbiting around them too, caught up in their own romantic messiness, so it's less of a solo journey and more of a tangled web of young people trying to figure out what love, sex, and friendship actually mean to them.
First Impressions from the Trailer
When I first caught the official trailer, I got that familiar flutter of a film trying to be both sexy and sincere. The opening moments set the tone pretty well — soft lighting, close-up glances, that particular kind of tension you get when two people are about to cross a line they've been circling. The cinematography has this warm, slightly dreamlike quality that leans into the Filipino indie aesthetic, all golden hour shots and intimate framing that makes you feel like you're watching something meant only for you.
What caught me was how the trailer doesn't shy away from showing the vulnerability. There's this scene where Lance looks absolutely terrified and intrigued at the same time, and you can practically feel his pulse racing through the screen. The music swells at exactly the right moments — nothing too heavy-handed, just enough to emphasize the emotional stakes. But here's where it gets interesting: the trailer also hints at something darker lurking underneath. There are quick cuts that suggest not everything is cute and consensual, and that's when the film starts signaling it wants to explore the messier side of sexual awakening. The last shot, with its slight uncertainty and fading out on an ambiguous expression, left me genuinely curious about where this was heading.
MAYUMI Full Movie
What Works
Aliya Raymundo as Mayumi brings this effortless charisma to the screen. She's not playing the manic pixie dream girl or the seductress archetype — she's just a person who knows what she wants and isn't apologizing for it, which is refreshing. Marco Mora holds his own as Lance, managing to make awkwardness and confusion feel real rather than cartoonish. The chemistry between them has genuine spark, especially in quieter moments where they're just talking or sitting in loaded silence.
The film's biggest strength is how it treats these characters with actual respect. The script doesn't judge them for wanting things, for being curious, for making mistakes. There's a maturity in that approach that you don't always see in coming-of-age stories, which tend to either villainize sexuality or make it all seem like a joke. Here, it matters. The emotions matter.
The technical side is solid. Shot composition is thoughtful, and there's a real eye for capturing intimacy without being gratuitous about it. The supporting cast, particularly Salome Salvi as Mimi, adds layers to what could've been one-note characters in less careful hands.
Where It Gets Shaky
But here's where I have to be honest — the pacing in the second half stumbles a bit. Once the film shifts from that sweet, uncertain beginning into the heartbreak and self-discovery part of the equation, it starts feeling a little rushed. Plot points that deserve more breathing room get glossed over, and some of the emotional payoffs don't land with the weight they should. You can feel the film wants to say something profound about how these experiences change us, but it doesn't always give itself enough space to actually prove it.
There's also something about the dialogue that occasionally tilts toward on-the-nose. Characters sometimes explain what they're feeling rather than just letting us see it, which undermines some of the good acting work happening around it.
The Buzz and Reality Check
Since this is a fresh release with limited buzz so far, it's hard to gauge what the internet will eventually make of it. But based on what's out there, the film seems to be finding its audience among people who appreciate smaller, more intimate dramas. It's got festival vibes, that earnest energy of filmmakers who really cared about getting the small moments right, even if the bigger picture gets a little fuzzy.
The Rating
A solid effort that's mostly honest about awkward teenage attraction and actual heart, even if the execution gets a little messy toward the finish line.
Should You Watch It?
If you're into character-driven indie dramas that aren't afraid to talk about sex and feelings with some level of maturity, absolutely give Mayumi a shot. It's not perfect, but it's the kind of film that sticks with you because it feels real. It's best suited for film lovers who appreciate quiet moments and don't need explosions or plot twists to feel satisfied. Fair warning though: this isn't a light watch. It earned its emotion.
You can catch Mayumi on VMX on September 26. If you're looking for something that treats young people's emotional lives with genuine care and curiosity, this one's worth your time.