Maria

Cristine Reyes Takes Center Stage in Maria (2019): The Making of a Filipino Action Thriller

Filipino cinema has long been dominated by romance and comedy, but Maria (2019) dared to carve out a different path—one paved with gunfire, grit, and a leading lady who could outmaneuver the boys. Directed by Pedring Lopez, the film stars Cristine Reyes as the titular assassin, delivering a performance that blends raw physicality with emotional depth. While the movie didn’t break box office records, it sparked conversations about women in action roles and the challenges of producing a high-stakes thriller in the Philippines.

**From Script to Screen: The Vision Behind *Maria***

Pedring Lopez, a director known for his work in indie and mainstream Filipino cinema, helmed Maria with a clear ambition: to craft a homegrown action-thriller that could stand alongside international hits. In a behind-the-scenes feature , Lopez discussed the film’s origins, revealing that the script was tailored to showcase Reyes’ versatility. The project wasn’t just about explosions and fight scenes—it was an opportunity to explore the psyche of a female assassin, a rarity in Filipino cinema at the time.

The film’s 90-minute runtime suggests a tight, no-nonsense narrative, a choice that likely kept production costs manageable while maintaining pacing. Lopez’s direction leaned into the film’s gritty aesthetic, with a color palette that favored shadows and neon-lit streets, evoking the neon-noir vibe of John Wick or Atomic Blonde. Whether this was a deliberate homage or a happy accident remains unclear, but the visual style gave Maria a distinct edge over typical Filipino action fare.

Cristine Reyes: The Action Star Philippines Needed?

Reyes, a former Pinoy Big Brother contestant turned actress, had already proven her dramatic chops in films like The Gifted and Seven Sundays. But Maria was her first foray into full-throttle action, and she embraced the challenge. Clips from the making-of documentary show Reyes undergoing intense physical training, including fight choreography and gun-handling drills. The actress reportedly performed many of her own stunts, a rarity in Filipino cinema where stunt doubles are often the norm.

Her co-stars—including Ivan Padilla, KC Montero, and Ronnie Lazaro—played supporting roles that amplified the film’s tension. Montero, known for his comedic roles, took on a more serious part as a morally ambiguous ally, while Lazaro, a veteran character actor, brought gravitas to the film’s darker moments. The ensemble cast’s chemistry, however, wasn’t universally praised. Some reviews noted that the supporting characters felt underdeveloped, with Reyes carrying the film almost single-handedly.

Reception: Mixed Reviews, But a Cult Following?

Maria premiered to a divided response. On SensCritique, the film holds a modest 4.1/10 rating from 107 votes , with critics and audiences split on its execution. Some praised its ambition and Reyes’ performance, while others dismissed it as a derivative action flick with uneven pacing. The film’s Rotten Tomatoes page lists it as an "action-thriller," but no critic or audience scores are visible, suggesting it flew under the radar of major review aggregators.

Despite the lukewarm reception, Maria developed a niche following, particularly among fans of Filipino action cinema. YouTube reviews and reaction videos highlight its high points—stylish fight scenes, a compelling lead, and a soundtrack that amps up the adrenaline. One reviewer even posed the question: Is this the best Filipino action movie? The answer, of course, depends on who you ask. But Maria undeniably pushed boundaries, proving that Filipino audiences were hungry for more than just rom-coms and family dramas.

**The Legacy of Maria: A One-Off or the Start of a Trend?**

Since Maria’s release, Filipino action cinema hasn’t exactly exploded with female-led thrillers. Reyes herself has returned to safer, more commercial projects, and Lopez hasn’t directed another action film of this scale. But Maria remains a curiosity—a film that dared to be different in an industry that often plays it safe.

For fans of the genre, Maria is a flawed but fascinating experiment. It’s a reminder that Filipino cinema can tackle darker, grittier stories, even if the execution isn’t always perfect. And for Cristine Reyes, it’s a career highlight that proved she could hold her own in a genre dominated by men.

Whether Maria will be remembered as a cult classic or a footnote in Filipino film history remains to be seen. But for 90 minutes in 2019, it gave audiences something they didn’t know they needed: a Filipino action heroine who could kick just as hard as the boys.