THE last time Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos played a baddie on the big screen was when she essayed the role of a serial killer in Maryo J. de los Reyes’ suspense thriller, “Tagos ng Dugo” (1987).

It has taken her more than three decades for Vilma to give her nod to another

challenging role that is undoubtedly out of her comfort zone.

Director Dan Villegas’ “Uninvited” leads the official entries in the 50th anniversary of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

The gripping drama-thriller assembled three of the brightest, most formidable names and best forces in Philippine cinema. It is expected to electrify this year’s roster of entries in the MMFF.

Leading the powerhouse ensemble is the Star for All Seasons, with Aga Muhlach, Nadine Lustre and an impressive supporting cast – Tirso Cruz III, Lotlot de Leon, Mylene Dizon, Gabby Padilla, Ketchup Eusebio, Gio Alvarez, Elijah Canlas, Cholo Barretto and Ron Angeles.

Bryan Diamante, producer of Mentorque Productions, cannot be as pleased as he was when “Uninvited” was unveiled in the grand media launch recently. 

The film is distributed by Warner Bros. and is a collaboration with Project 8 Projects.

The screen reunion of Vilma and Aga could not have happened at a better time than this Christmas, when they topbill “Uninvited,” whose story came from Vilma’s mind.

Their first pairing was in Maryo J. de los Reyes’ “Sinungaling Mong Puso” (1992).

They later worked together two years later in director Jose Javier Reyes’ “Nag-iisang Ikaw” (1994). After more than three decades, Vilma and Aga teamed up anew on the big screen.

“When the story of ‘Uninvited’ was still being conceptualized, we knew the story was not really easy to put together,” Vilma said. “Initially, we even called it ‘Project Red.’ But when they laid down everything, we realized all the characters were important for the film to be effective.

The screenplay by Dodo Dayao happened only in one day and Direk Dan Villegas is thankful the Star for All Seasons gave her nod to the project.

“After the story was finalized, I talked to Direk Dan and we decided on the theme,” Vilma shared. “We had no other choice to play Guilly. The first name that came up was Aga Muhlach.”

“When Aga called me up to confirm if we would do a film again, I told him to accept the project. Otherwise, I would return the candle. Ninang nila ako ni Charlene (Gonzalez) sa kasal. I told him to accept the offer dahil gusto ko na siyang bakbakan.”

To Aga, he could not say no to the offer. “I just asked Vilma if she would do the film and if it was true. She really didn’t need to talk at length or convince me. It comes in threes. Proud ako sa first two films that we did.

“This is our third film together and sobra akong proud of this third one. This early, I’m already excited. Thank you for getting me to be part of this film.”

To director Dan’s surprise, the story of “Uninvited” came from Vilma.

Admittedly, this is Vilma’s “dream project,” a story that happens in only 24 hours. Direk Dan and Dado Dayao completed the story.

“Malaking karangalan ko po na makasama ang mga artistang kasama ko dito sa ‘Uninvited,’” said Vilma. “Karangalan ko pong malaki to be directed for the first time by Direk Dan Villegas.”

Direk Dan, who started as a cinematographer, immediately merited a best director trophy for his directorial debut, “English Only, Please” (2014), with Jennylyn Mercado and Derek Ramsay.

That was followed by successive projects on the big screen – “Walang Forever” (2015), “How To Be Yours” (2016), “Always Be My Maybe” (2016), “Changing Partners” (2017), “Hintayan ng Langit” (2018) and “Exes Baggage” (2018).

After more than six decades on the big screen, Vilma essays a role that she’s doing for the first time in “Uninvited.” She plays Eva Candelaria/Lilia, the mom waiting for the last ten years to exact revenge on the billionaire who murdered her only daughter and escaped justice.

Disguised as a socialite, Lilia attends Guilly’s opulent event with a single goal:

revenge. As the night unfolds, she carefully stalks each person involved in the murder of her daughter, inching closer to her ultimate target.

Who is the real villain of the story? Is it Guilly or his daughter Nicole.

Unarmed and without a concrete plan, Eva must make life or death choices as her options dwindle. Will Lily/Eva fulfill her mission or will the night claim her life instead?

“Uninvited” is jointly produced by Mentorque Productions and Project 8 Productions, with John Bryan Diamante as executive producer.

The powerful ensemble cast is led by eight-time Gawad Urian best actress winner, FAMAS best actress, four-time MMFF winner and longest-reigning box office queen of Philippine cinema, Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos (Lilia/Eva Candelaria). 

Gawad Urian, MMFF and two-time FAMAS Awards best actress and multimedia superstar Nadine Lustre (Nicole), Gawad Urian, FAMAS, Star Awards for Movies and MMFF best actor Aga Muhlach (as billionaire Guily Vega); other stars include 2024 Cinemalaya best actress Gabby Padilla (Lily), 2024 Star Awards New Movie Actor of the Year nominee Ron Angeles (Mark), Gawad Urian and Cinemalaya best supporting actor Ketchup Eusebio (Jomar).

The others are Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino best supporting actor Gio Alvarez

(Randall), Gawad Urian best supporting actor nominee RK Bagatsing (Jigger), multi-decorated actor and one of the pillars of Philippine entertainment Tirso Cruz III (Red).

Also in the stellar cast are Nonie Buencamino (Elmer), Lotlot de Leon (Norma), Mylene Dizon (Katrina), Elijah Canlas (Tofy), Cholo Barretto (Celso) and Ron Angeles (Mark).