Movie Review: Ex Ex Lovers Proves There’s More to Nostalgia Than Just a Throwback

When Ex Ex Lovers arrived on Netflix yesterday, those who missed its theatrical run in February finally got to see what the buzz was all about, and it turns out, there’s more to this film than just a reunion of 90s icons. Yes, Jolina Magdangal and Marvin Agustin’s pairing is pure magic, but this movie dives much deeper than just rekindling old flames on-screen.

At its core, Ex Ex Lovers is about Joy, a single mother still recovering from being abandoned a decade ago by her husband Cedric. She's since raised their daughter SC on her own. Now that SC is grown up and newly engaged, she throws a curveball, she wants her estranged father to walk her down the aisle. Cue the reluctant trip to Malta, where Cedric has been working as an overseas Filipino worker all these years.

The setup may sound like a rom-com, but the execution is far more layered. What starts off light and funny, complete with cute banter, awkward run-ins, and old-school rom-com antics, gradually shifts into something deeper and more grounded. At first, Cedric seems like a jokester stuck in the past, trying to charm his way back into Joy’s life like nothing happened. But Joy isn’t having any of it. And honestly, neither would we.

It’s not until the third act that the film truly finds its stride. The humor gives way to hard truths, especially from Joy’s perspective, which had been sidelined for much of the film. Here, Jolina Magdangal delivers a powerful performance as a woman finally given space to confront years of pain. She talks about single motherhood, the emotional toll of being left behind, and the absence of divorce in the Philippines, all serious issues presented in a way that still fits within the rom-com structure.

The film doesn’t just rest on its nostalgia, even though it throws a bone to fans of Gimik with the return of castmates like Judy Ann Santos, Mylene Dizon, Dominic Ochoa, and G Toengi. It uses nostalgia as an entry point, then veers into a more thoughtful exploration of failed marriages, healing, and how much parents project their past into their children’s future.

There are moments when the film feels uneven, some parts in Malta drag a bit, and the initial portrayal of Cedric feels too cartoonish, but these are redeemed once the story decides to grow up. By the end, Ex Ex Lovers turns into a rewarding experience that balances laughs and life lessons.

It’s rare for a movie to capture the charm of a love team we grew up watching and still evolve into something emotionally honest. With a solid story, sincere performances, and surprising emotional depth, Ex Ex Lovers proves that old love stories still have new things to say.

Pinoy ShowBuzz Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars