Linlang (2023 TV series)
Linlang | |
---|---|
Genre | |
Written by | David Diuco |
Directed by |
|
Starring | |
Country of origin | Philippines |
Original language | Filipino |
No. of seasons | 1 |
No. of episodes | 14 |
Production | |
Camera setup | Single-camera |
Running time | 56–61 minutes |
Production company | Dreamscape Entertainment |
Original release | |
Network | Amazon Prime Video |
Release | October 5 November 16, 2023 | –
Linlang is a Philippine thriller drama series directed by FM Reyes and Jojo Saguin. It stars Kim Chiu, Paulo Avelino and JM de Guzman, with Maricel Soriano, Kaila Estrada and Ruby Ruiz also starring. The series was produced by Dreamscape Entertainment and premiered on Amazon Prime Video on October 5, 2023 consisting of 14 episodes.
Premise
The story centers around boxer-turned-seaman Victor Lualhati and his investigation into his wife Juliana's affair. Victor learns more about the situation as he looks into it and comes to the conclusion that his wife's infidelity is not the only factor at play.
Cast and characters
Main cast
- Kim Chiu as Juliana Alcantara-Lualhati
- Paulo Avelino as Victor "Bangis" C. Lualhati
- JM de Guzman as Alexander "Alex / Da Master" C. Lualhati
- Maricel Soriano as Amelia Contreras-Lualhati
- Kaila Estrada as Sylvia Lualhati[1]
Heaven Peralejo as Olivia Castillo-Lualhati [1]
- Ruby Ruiz as Pilar Alcantara
Supporting cast
- Jaime Fabregas as Coach Badong Castillo[2]
- Ruby Ruiz as Pilar Alcantara
- Raymond Bagatsing as Emilio[2]
- Adrian Lindayag[2] as William
- Anji Salvacion[1] as Kate Alcantara
- Kice[2] as Dylan
- Jake Ejercito[2] as Lucas
- Albie Casiño[2]
- Vance Larena
- Benj Manalo[2]
- Lovely Abella[2]
- Frenchie Dy
- Ross Pesigan
- Meanne Espinosa
- Bart Guingona[2]
- Race Matias as Matteo Bautista[1]
- Heart Ramos as Abigail "Abby" A. Lualhati
- Hanna Lexie as young Abby
Episodes
No. | Title | Original release date | |
---|---|---|---|
1 | "Episode 1" | October 5, 2023 | |
Previously a boxer, Victor Lualhati is now a seaman. He only desires to have a complete and content family with his wife, Juliana. Victor chooses to take some time off from work to spend time with his family after being away for a while. But as the days go by, he starts to notice big changes in his wife. Then, on Juliana's phone, he finds a disturbing message from an unidentified sender. | |||
2 | "Episode 2" | October 5, 2023 | |
Victor hears Juliana's justifications for her wicked deeds. Their daughter, Abby, is in danger as a result of the mounting home problems caused by Victor's refusal to accept her explanation. Victor is determined to put the treachery behind him, but while he does so, he makes the startling discovery of Juliana's real paramour. | |||
3 | "Episode 3" | October 12, 2023 | |
Victor pursues his inquiries relentlessly and develops friendships with Juliana's coworkers in an effort to identify his wife's mistress. Victor passes out while practicing boxing and deftly utilizes his medical emergency to trap Juliana's boyfriend, leading to a brutal encounter. On the most significant day of her career, Amelia learns Juliana's horrible secret. | |||
4 | "Episode 4" | October 12, 2023 | |
Authorities learn about Juliana and Alex's illicit relationship via Victor. He doesn't have the hard data, though, to back up his assertion. Even worse, Sylvia's involvement in the scenario complicates things further by clearing her husband's name. Juliana later requests an annulment, alleging Victor's mental infirmity. | |||
5 | "Episode 5" | October 19, 2023 | |
For Abby's sake, Victor and Juliana are forced to cohabitate in the large home. Unexpectedly, their family relationship begins to resemble what it once was, which makes Alex envious. Due to her infertility issues, Sylvia is thinking of adopting a child. When Juliana learns of this, it strains their friendship and puts their affair at risk of being revealed to their families. | |||
6 | "Episode 6" | October 19, 2023 | |
Victor, with the assistance of an unlikely ally, returns to professional boxing to support his family while Juliana prepares to sell their home to test her estranged husband. Alex joins the firm as a partner. As the stakes rise, Juliana discovers something that would forever damage her and Alex. Victor goes to whatever lengths to learn his wife's secret since he is suspicious of her behavior. | |||
7 | "Episode 7" | October 26, 2023 | |
Kate feels betrayed after discovering her sister’s dirty secret with her own eyes. Tension escalates when Juliana receives a malicious after-party photo of Victor. Even after the DNA test proves that he is the father of Juliana's unborn child, Victor remains skeptical about the result. The uncertainty causes anxiety for everyone, and yet only one person among them already has the answer. | |||
8 | "Episode 8" | October 26, 2023 | |
Victor keeps Juliana kept away after her failed effort to flee and forbids her from seeing Abby. Victor decides to negotiate with Juliana after seeing Abby inconsolable and makes the offer to drop the adultery allegation in exchange for custody of the child. Despite Juliana's resistance, she ultimately consents to the deal—until another cunning scheme is revealed, which only serves to further Victor's mistrust of her. | |||
9 | "Episode 9" | November 2, 2023 | |
Victor calls Sylvia, Alex's faithful wife, the greatest witness he can get against Alex as the adultery court date approaches. Victor discovers yet another shocking truth about who he is while raising money for his legal defense. The most significant component of Alex and Juliana's relationship—their unborn child—is put in jeopardy due to their desperation. | |||
10 | "Episode 10" | November 2, 2023 | |
Everyone is impacted by the loss of Juliana and Alex's unborn child, even Victor. Even worse, now that Victor has conclusive evidence against the illicit pair, major legal issues await them. Tragically, Sylvia's love for Alex comes to an end. Many things have changed in the last few years, and Victor's future moves will soon be made public. | |||
11 | "Episode 11" | November 9, 2023 | |
Victor wants to make up for everything he lost, especially his bond with his daughter Abby, after serving years in prison. It's unclear whether he will be able to establish his innocence and win back the confidence of people who matter to him, though, because Juliana still has misgivings about him. Alex, meanwhile, is trying to join Emilio's business as a partner, but there is resistance from an unidentified source. | |||
12 | "Episode 12" | November 9, 2023 | |
While Alex and Emilio's relationship is in disarray, Victor deceives his sibling into joining with a fresh boxing organization. Victor's life is beginning to come together as he begins to win back Abby's admiration and eventually marries Olivia. Alex looks into who is helping his brother, and Victor finds out that Sylvia's death was not a fake after all. | |||
13 | "Episode 13" | November 16, 2023 | |
Victor puts together a scheme to reveal Alex's adultery and violent actions toward Juliana. Juliana feels tormented because she regrets leaving Victor. Envious of the former couple's renewed bond, Olivia chooses to step in. But her scheme to expel Juliana from her and Victor's lives takes an unexpected turn. | |||
14 | "Episode 14" | November 16, 2023 | |
A bruised Juliana returns home to Alex as Olivia is still missing. Alex surrenders to the police in order to confess, just as Victor is about to obtain a video that may help solve Sylvia's murder. Amelia is compelled to decide between her son and her values in the interim. Victor and Alex engage in a death match, with only one Lualhati emerging triumphant. |
Production
Linlang was first announced in October 2022 by Dreamscape Entertainment.[3][4][5] Principal photography for the series lasted for six months. Paulo Avelino, one of the lead stars, prepared for his role by pushing "himself through a body transformation to embody his character’s journey", stating that he "had to gain around 20 to 35 pounds at the start of the filming and lose around 20 pounds midway into the shoot."[6]
Release
The series premiered on the streaming service Amazon Prime Video on October 5, 2023, with the first two episodes available immediately and the rest debuting on a weekly basis.[7]
Marketing
The official trailer for Linlang was released on September 24, 2023.[8] The following month, advance screening for the series was held at Cinema76 in Quezon City.[9] To promote the series, the ensemble cast made special appearances in noontime musical-variety show ASAP[10] while Chiu and de Guzman served as guest stars in the lifestyle morning talk show Magandang Buhay.[11]
Reception
Audience viewership
Upon release, Linlang debuted at No. 1 on Amazon Prime Video Philippines.[6]
Critical response
Writing for Daily Tribune, Alwin Ignacio described Linlang as "a cautionary tale and modern-day morality check." He praised the acting performances of the lead stars Kim Chiu, Paulo Avelino and JM de Guzman, including the notable portrayals of Maricel Soriano and Kaila Estrada.[12]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "Four Reasons to watch Prime Video series Linlang". PEP.ph. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "'Linlang' becomes the most watched show on Prime Video Philippines on its first streaming day". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
- ^ "Paulo, Kim, JM and Maricel star in new series 'Linlang'". ABS-CBN News. 2022-10-21. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
- ^ Cruz, Dana (2022-10-22). "Maricel Soriano, Paulo Avelino, Kim Chiu, JM de Guzman lead cast of new series 'Linlang'". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
- ^ "Paulo, Kim, JM, Ruby, and Maricel headline star-studded cast of ABS-CBN's new series 'Linlang'". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
- ^ a b "Linlang emerges as top pick on Prime Video PHL". www.philstar.com. 2023-10-11. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
- ^ "Kim, Paulo, and JM topbill Prime Video series 'Linlang'". www.philstar.com. 2023-10-03. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
- ^ "Kim Chiu, Paulo Avelino play married couple in gripping preview of 'Linlang'". ABS-CBN News. 2023-09-24. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
- ^ "Kim Chiu on intimate scenes with Paulo Avelino: 'Happy naman ako'". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
- ^ "Stars of 'Linlang' grace 'ASAP' stage to promote new series". ABS-CBN News. 2023-10-08. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
- ^ "JM appeals: Tagal ko nang nanliligaw, baka naman". ABS-CBN News. 2023-10-04. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
- ^ Ignacio, Alwin (2023-10-11). "Linlang: Love and lust on a collision". Daily Tribune. Retrieved 2023-10-25.