'Sosyal Climbers' REVIEW: MaThon must go on
'Sosyal Climbers' REVIEW: MaThon must go on
Anthony Jennings as Ray Cruz and Maris Racal as Jessa Baluarte / Still taken from Netflix Philippines’ trailer
Nothing short of strategic, Jason Paul Laxamana’s Sosyal Climbers rides on the wave of timely issues, such as celebrity controversies, class struggles, and the power of public perception, through the lens of romance, drama, and comedy. At its heart lies the undeniable chemistry between Maris Racal (as Jessa) and Anthony Jennings (as Ray) — an onscreen pairing that, despite recent headlines, finds its way back to the screen. Known as the love team MaThon, they make even the cheesiest and corniest Filipino pick-up lines and romantic gestures land effectively — often evoking kilig, though sporadically steering close to cringe territory. Walking on that fine line is exactly what this film does, as it’s all about perspective. How the audience perceives their relationship dynamics and social climbing antics depends largely on their own disposition and current realities.
The story centers around an aspiring young couple working (or rather, conning) their way into high society, whose depiction of wealth remains cartoonish at best. It’s not quite an accurate portrayal, but that’s beside the point — this is a popcorn flick meant to be enjoyed on a day off and a crowd-pleaser designed to entertain rather than scrutinize social stratification. The film’s setup is familiar, akin to your typical Filipino teleserye, with theatrics that inject humor but often tip into the absurd. A scene in particular can test the limits of one’s suspension of disbelief (walking on broken glass — seriously?), but moments like these are forgivable given the film’s overarching intent.
Ray and Jessa, under their rich personas Kiefer and Penelope Regalado, in bed / Still taken from Netflix Philippines’ trailer
Sosyal Climbers benefits from capitalizing on the leads’ recent controversy while they’re still fresh in the Filipino collective consciousness. The lead actors deliver with their acting chops while the supporting cast does what they need to do: fill space, drive the narrative, but never quite steal the spotlight even with their campy performances.
The humor is sharp in places and crude in others, taking jabs at everything from golf to art to sex therapy. The score remains generic and the production design serviceable. Makeup could’ve been stronger, and although there is an abundance of scenes where the styling works in Maris’ favor, some costume choices (such as the gala night oddly looking like a school pageant) leave much to be desired. But none of that really matters when the film’s true selling points lie elsewhere: star power and the audience’s emotional investment. After all, it is show business.
Ray and Jessa, in their final moments as Kiefer and Penelope, by the fountain / Still taken from Netflix Philippines’ trailer
Inherently, Sosyal Climbers builds on the classic tug-of-war between idealism and realism — wanting to escape poverty and hardship versus recognizing the realities of social mobility. The contrast of Maris and Anthony’s characters captures this struggle: one embraces their newfound social status while the other still finds value in their humble beginnings. The film touches on the elite’s echo chamber, particularly in its portrayal of the art world as both a playground for the rich and a potential lifeline for struggling artists. Yet, it never digs deeply — everything remains light, digestible, and neatly packaged for casual entertainment. Even its ending is made for convenience, with a final twist that feels rather predictable.
Don’t get me wrong, it is a fun ride, but it would’ve been better if its characters were fleshed out beyond their social-climbing ambitions. Who were they before, behind Anthony’s artistic pursuits and Maris’ relentless desire for wealth? What are they now, as they step into the roles they fought so hard to attain? The shift in their new lives as the rich and privileged is barely explored, and their journey ironically feels just like a means to an end.
Overall, there’s wit in the humor, charm in the execution, and heart in the dramatic moments. While character depth could’ve been explored further, Sosyal Climbers does what it sets out to do: deliver a fun, marketable rom-com that banks on chemistry, comedy, and the ever-relatable Filipino dream of financial stability. Say what you will about the film, but one thing is clear: it knows its audience. In a world where optics and timing reign supreme, Sosyal Climbers proves that publicity is everything and the show must go on.
Sosyal Climbers was released on Netflix last February 27, 2025 and has since been in Netflix Top 10 charts worldwide.
