Jodi Sta. Maria
Joanne
Overview
A TV writer returns home to her estranged mother, igniting chaos as they navigate painful secrets and the complexities of their dysfunctional family.
Cast
11 people
Reviews
4 min readThe Spaces Between the Words
I keep thinking about the way families talk—or don’t. The way a silence can stretch so long it becomes its own kind of language, heavy with things unsaid. This, That, and Everything in Between understands this. It’s a film that lives in those pauses, in the way a mother and daughter circle each other like boxers who’ve forgotten why they’re fighting but can’t stop throwing punches anyway.
The first thing you notice is the light. Not the golden-hour glow of a prestige drama, but something harsher, more fluorescent—like the kind of light that doesn’t flatter, that exposes every crack in the walls and every line on a face. It’s the light of a home that’s been lived in, not staged.
And in that light, Jodi Sta. Maria and Agot Isidro do something rare: they make the act of not speaking feel like a performance all its own.
There’s a scene early on where Sta. Maria’s character, a TV writer named Mara, returns to her childhood home after years away. She stands in the doorway of her old bedroom, running her fingers over the dust on a shelf.
The camera lingers on her face—not in a showy close-up, but in a way that feels almost accidental, like we’ve stumbled upon a private moment. And then her mother, played by Isidro, appears in the hallway behind her. Neither woman speaks.
The tension isn’t in what they say; it’s in the way Isidro’s character crosses her arms, the way Mara’s shoulders tense like she’s bracing for impact. It’s a masterclass in physical acting, the kind where every small movement carries the weight of a decade of history.
Audience Opinions
"A heartfelt family drama with standout performances but sparse audience feedback so far."
Early reactions highlight the emotional depth of the story and the strong performances from the lead cast, particularly Jodi Sta. Maria and Agot Isidro. latestnetflix.com's read is that however, viewer feedback remains too limited to draw broad conclusions about its overall reception or recurring strengths and weaknesses.
What viewers praise
- Strong lead performances Jodi Sta. Maria and Agot Isidro are praised for their compelling and emotionally resonant portrayals.
- Heartfelt storytelling The family drama elements are noted for their sincerity and ability to connect with viewers.
Common complaints
- Limited audience feedback Very few detailed viewer reactions are available, making it difficult to assess widespread reception.
Recommended for
Family drama enthusiasts Fans of Jodi Sta. Maria Agot Isidro admirers
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of This, That, and Everything in Between: A Mother-Daughter Dynamic Takes Center Stage
Cholo Laurel’s upcoming film This, That, and Everything in Between (2026) is already generating buzz, not just for its star-studded cast but for the on-screen chemistry between two of Philippine cinema’s most respected actresses: Jodi Sta. Maria and Agot Isidro. The film, which marks Laurel’s latest foray into feature filmmaking after a career spanning commercials and acclaimed projects like Nasaan Ka Man (2005) 
, promises a story that blends drama, family dynamics, latestnetflix.com argues, and the complexities of relationships.
A Mother-Daughter Duo Reunites on Screen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JD5COHstJXc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mi1jQP8qdk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9z8oxL2ars4
The most talked-about aspect of the film is the pairing of Sta. Maria and Isidro as mother and daughter. While the two have shared the screen before, this project marks their first collaboration in these roles—a dynamic that has fans and critics alike eager to see how their chemistry translates to the big screen. The casting was announced in a YouTube video teasing their on-screen relationship, with the title Ganito, Ganyan, Ganoon—a working title that appears to be interchangeable with the film’s final name . The media conference for the project, available in full on YouTube, showcased the cast’s camaraderie, with Sta. Maria, Isidro, and Laurel discussing the film’s themes in a lighthearted yet insightful manner .
Isidro, known for her versatility in both television and film, and Sta. Maria, a household name in Philippine entertainment, bring decades of experience to their roles. Their collaboration is expected to add depth to the film’s narrative, which, based on early hints, revolves around the intricacies of family, love, and the spaces in between. While the plot remains under wraps, the casting alone suggests a story rich with emotional nuance.
Cholo Laurel’s Vision: From Commercials to Feature Films
Laurel’s directorial style has long been praised for its ability to balance visual storytelling with character-driven narratives. After cutting his teeth in the advertising world, he transitioned to feature filmmaking with Nasaan Ka Man (2005), a film that earned critical acclaim and established him as a director to watch . This, That, and Everything in Between appears to be another step in his evolution as a filmmaker, though details about his creative process for this project remain scarce.
What is clear, however, is Laurel’s knack for assembling strong ensembles. The film’s cast includes a mix of veteran actors and rising stars, such as Gardo Versoza, Ruby Ruiz, Gabriel Lazaro, RK Bagatsing, Mitch Valdez, Angel Aquino, Floyd Tena, and Doreen Bernal . This blend of talent suggests a story that will require both dramatic weight and comedic timing, though specifics about individual roles have yet to be revealed.
What We Know (and What We Don’t)
As of now, the film’s production details are limited. Rotten Tomatoes lists the project under its title, confirming the cast but offering no additional insights into the plot, release date, or reception expectations . The media conference and press events have focused more on the cast’s dynamic than the film’s logistics, leaving fans to speculate about the finer details.
One lingering question is the film’s distribution. While Netflix has been mentioned in connection with a similarly titled project (Ganito, Ganyan, Ganoon), there’s no confirmation that This, That, and Everything in Between will follow the same path . For now, audiences will have to wait for official announcements about where and when they can see the film.
Rumors and Unconfirmed Details
With so little information available, rumors have begun to circulate. Some speculate that the film could be a Netflix original, given the streaming giant’s recent push into Philippine content and its association with Laurel’s previous work. However, this remains unconfirmed, and no official statements have tied This, That, and Everything in Between to any platform .
Another point of curiosity is the film’s tone. Laurel’s past work suggests a blend of drama and romance, but whether This, That, and Everything in Between will lean into comedy, given the presence of actors like Mitch Valdez, or maintain a more serious tone is anyone’s guess.
The Bottom Line
For now, This, That, and Everything in Between is shaping up to be one of 2026’s most anticipated Filipino films, thanks in large part to its powerhouse cast and the promise of a compelling mother-daughter narrative. While details about the plot, release date, and distribution remain thin, the early buzz suggests a project worth watching. Fans of Jodi Sta. Maria, Agot Isidro, and Cholo Laurel will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on any updates as the film moves closer to completion.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.