Pinoy romance movie, Japanese anime, thriller flicks get MTRCB ratings

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has released its ratings for six films hitting theaters this week, including a local feature starring Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto.

MTRCB CEO and Chair Lala Sotto noted that the upcoming movies received ratings of Parental Guidance (PG), R-13 and R-16, which means movie patrons have a wide array to choose from.

“Tandaan natin na mahalagang tiyakin na ang rating ng pelikula na gusto panoorin ay angkop sa edad at antas ng pag-intindi ng ating mga anak. Ito ay para mas magabayan natin sila nang maayos sa kanilang panonood,” she said.

“Masaya rin kami na ipapalabas ang isang gawang-Pinoy na sine ngayong linggo. Inaanyayahan namin ang ating mga kababayan na tangkilikin ang sariling atin at suportahan ang pelikulang Pilipino,” Sotto went on.

“Always Yours, Never Mine” is a romantic drama starring Garcia and Barretto that was rated PG. The Agency said the film contains themes that require parental supervision and guidance for viewers younger than 13 years old.

“Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of the Mermaid Island,” a Japanese anime movie that features the voice of Haruka Aoki, also got a PG rating. It will be exclusively screened in SM Cinemas.

The Agency said the film explores friendship, courage, greed, temptation and the consequences of accepting seemingly attractive offers without considering the risks.

“The characters’ adventurous behavior, including accepting an enticing invitation and traveling to a mysterious location, could be imitated by younger children. However, the film ultimately presents the dangers associated with blindly trusting attractive offers and encourages friendship, caution and cooperation,” the MTRCB added.

“Digger,” a black comedy featuring Tom Cruise, Sophie Wilde, Jesse Plemons and Riz Ahmed, was rated R-13 for its “mature themes of dystopian society, moderate swear words and menacing language.”

“Verity,” a psychological thriller starring Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, Josh Hartnett, Ismael Cruz Cordova and Brady Wagner, was classified as R-16.

Suitable for mature teenage and adult audiences, the movie has “sustained psychological tension, disturbing scenes of violence, mature sexual content and emotionally intense themes involving obsession, manipulation, trauma, and family tragedy.”

It also contains strong psychological violence, disturbing thematic material, mature romance, mature sexual situations, coarse language and emotionally disturbing subject matter that makes it unsuitable for children and younger teens.

A psychological crime thriller, “Primetime” was given an R-16 rating and will be exclusively screened in SM Cinemas. Its cast includes Robert Pattinson, Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, Phoebe Bridgers, Matthew Maher and Bokeem Woodbine.

Set in 2006, it stars Pattinson as journalist Chris Hansen who hosted the NBC show, “To Catch a Predator.” The MTRCB said the film “explores television journalism, fame, exploitation and the ethical consequences of pursuing ratings and recognition through confrontational investigations involving suspected sexual predators.”

It also tackles sexually explicit behavior and inappropriate encounters, “although these are primarily presented in the context of the television investigations rather than as sexual entertainment.”

“The film depicts confrontational investigative tactics, deception, and the pursuit of suspected criminals for television. Impressionable viewers should understand that these methods should not be imitated and that investigations involving criminal or sexual matters should be left to trained authorities. The film includes self-harm and suicidal behavior,” it said.

The 2023 Japanese horror-suspense film “My Mother’s Eyes” got an R-16 rating and will be exclusively shown in Megaworld Cinemas. It stars Hisashi, Kosuke Hoshi and Takuma Izumi, and tells the story of a mother and daughter involved in a traffic accident.

Although the film explores family dynamics, sacrifice and the complex relationship between mothers and daughters, it also delves into the psychological impacts of disability and the ethics of cutting-edge medical technology.

“The experimental medical technology and its consequences present ethical dilemmas that viewers might find thought-provoking but potentially disturbing. The film also touches on themes of depression and suicidal thoughts, which require mature understanding,” the Agency said.

A G or General Audience rating means a film is suitable for all ages, while PG or Parental Guidance means a parent or guardian must be present to supervise younger viewers.

An R-13 means a film is suitable for viewers aged 13 and up, while an R-16 is for 16 years old and above. An R-18 is for adult audiences only.