A gritty and emotional journey awaits audiences in The Ride, a new action movie from director Thop Nazareno and produced by Spring Films.
Now showing in SM Cinemas, the film stars Piolo Pascual as Barry, a double-crossing criminal on the run, and Kyle Echarri as his estranged son, Leo.
One day, Barry and Leo go on a road trip to visit Leo’s mom, Barry’s ex, who is dying of cancer.
Unbeknownst to Barry, the old carnapping syndicate that he just betrayed is on his tail.
This puts Leo in danger, and so Barry has to find ways to protect his son while trying to reconnect with him.
The tense, silent road trip frames the movie’s main conflict.
How can Barry learn how to be a father to a son he abandoned, while keeping him away from the realities of a life in crime?
Can he teach him to lead a straight life before his time is up?
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THE RIDE: MAIN CAST
Piolo and Kyle are remarkable in this movie.
The movie begins with only a hint of chemistry between the two, but they visibly grow closer as the runtime progresses.
It’s a testament to both actors’ skill that they credibly portray such a complex father-son dynamic.
The father-son duo, born from an intense and method-based approach to the roles, was so convincing it reportedly led to their casting in the series Pamilya Sagrado.
Piolo delivers his usual compelling performance.
But it is Kyle who steals the show, with a quiet intensity that builds to a late breakdown scene that serves as a true acting showcase for the young actor.
THE RIDE: VISUALS
Visually, The Ride is so satisfying to watch—full of intoxicating neon lights and beautiful long shots of the open road.
The roads around Rizal, perhaps familiar to some viewers, are captured in a way that makes them feel both expansive and claustrophobic.
The Ride also tries to show the gritty underbelly of the criminal underworld, with scenes of extreme violence like torture and gore.
But it doesn’t go far enough, because there are vital scenes of violence that happens off-screen.
By hiding these scenes from the viewers, the film occasionally pulls its punches, missing an opportunity to fully underscore its message.
Ultimately, The Ride offers both an exciting crime narrative and a touching exploration of a father and son's journey toward healing. It might be a journey that’s worth taking.
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