As the first original Filipino film on Prime Video, Ten Little Mistresses can often feel stuck as an entertaining pitch for a film rather than a fully fleshed out story. Like many mystery-comedies, this is a movie that relies on its star power and its big twists over any convincing narrative or thematic ideas. But oddly enough, the sooner you accept this, the easier the film goes down. As a loud and proud example of camp comedy, even its most ridiculous and incongruous elements feel like an authentic expression of Filipino humor; it never tries to pander to a Western audience that might be expecting something more familiar to their sensibilities. And with a cast this dedicated to out-chewing the scenery from each other, it's hard not to get swept up in the insanity of it all.
Synopsis
A widowed billionaire's ten mistresses fight tooth and nail to become his new legal wife. But when he suddenly turns up dead, all ten women end up being prime suspects.
Storyline
The feuding mistresses of a billionaire playboy turn against each other when a mysterious crime is committed at his estate where they are all gathered.
TLDR
For people who only know Philippine cinema through Lav Diaz and our social realist dramas, you're in for quite the culture shock, to say the least.
What stands out
Of all the big-name Filipino stars in the ensemble, it's Eugene Domingo (as the head maid of the billionaire's estate) who truly goes above and beyond. Originally known as a comedy actress but having earned much acclaim as a surprisingly sensitive dramatic performer, Domingo contrasts the outsized personalities of Ten Little Mistresses' cast by going for the latter approach. She ultimately grounds the rest of the film by introducing a dark, tragic element to these shenanigans that gradually colors each other character. And while this might not sound quite as "fun" on paper, Domingo's relishing of the role makes this downward turn so much more entertaining than expected.
