Kontrabida Academy Review – Barbie Forteza, Eugene Domingo (2025)

by Fanboy SEO · Published September 20, 2025 · Updated September 21, 2025

Here’s my Kontrabida Academy review starring Barbie Forteza and Eugene Domingo and directed by Chris Martinez. Now streaming on Netflix.

The film follows the life of Gigi (Forteza), a young woman stuck in an awful situations in her family, professional and love life. Her boss bullies her, her boyfriend is cheating on her and her family struggles financially due to her mother’s extravangant lifestyle burning even their monthly stipend from her dad working abroad. Things in Gigi’s life drastically take a turn when she wins a TV set that connects her to a world of teledrama particularly the kontrabidas. As she accepts the kontrabida training under “kontrabida” Mauricia (Eugene Domingo) she transforms into an upgraded version of herself, one that fights back and wont back down especially when she knows she’s right but is this really her or something that she just forced on herself.

Kontrabida Academy Trailer

Cast

It’s so good to watch a film that celebrates Philippine cinemas’ classic kontrabidas who all appear as the Kontrabida Academy’s main instructors from vets like Rez Cortez and Odette Khan to contemporaries like Gladys Reyes and more. Sure it’s a given that they didn’t do much but shining the spotlight and acknowledging their contributions to Philippine cinema and television is already something. Plus they got their “flowers” in that big event a few weekends ago. Again, it’s such a nice touch to honor these veteran actors and this is already a big plus on the project.

The two main cast members Eugene Domingo and Barbie Forteza is also a great touch to the film. This film provided a next blast for the Kapuso actress who showed us that she can do a proper kontrabida. Her nuances like those side eyes and those hair flips worked very well. Meanwhile Domingo continues to flex her acting skills as well as how natural she works with the director. The two have worked previously in the equally hilarious film “Here Comes the Bride”; as Mauricia, Domingo is an effective faux kontrabida in the digital world they live and operate. She’s provided a great deal of exposition while at the same bring set an example not just for Gigi but also for the viewers. I also adore her look throughout the film.

Another notable here is Xyriel Manabat who plays Mauricia’s seductive daughter, Mimi. I loved how OA her take was and then by the end of the film, we also found out that she was killed off for doing something taboo in their place. Her attack as a “kontrabida” was also textbook perfection.

Also had a lot of laughs with Myrtle Sarrosa’s character, Peachy, and that medyo accurate delivery of “pecha pie”. Please Netflix, bigyan nyo pa sya ng mas maraming kontrabida roles in the future.

Plot

I found the plot to actually be OK. You don’t have to read too much into the film because its pretty straightforward plus it’s got the same vibe and feel of director Chris Martinez’s other films. The movie’s real strength though is how its not about “breaking bad” or “corrupting your values” but rather it tells a full circle story with some catharsis for the lead. She goes through a transformation where she fights back, then realizes that she’s turning into a completely different person and tries to take a few steps back. It gives us viewers the idea that it’s only right to stand up for our rights and to make room for us, “wag tayo magpa-tapak” ganyan. Then slow down na with all the negativity and aggression if you don’t need it.

And that whole heel-turn then face-turn was done in such a way na you’ll understand and syempre because this is still a Pinoy flick, you have to inject it with some love story element. Still, it’s a logical thread and plot to follow naman so no problem for me on that end.

VERDICT – 10/10

OK ang Kontrabida Academy for me because it got to bring in our favorite kontrabidas, while giving us a story that most of us can relate and of course, end with a happy ending. I love the characters, the writing and the whole evolution of Gigi/Gia and how by the end of the film, we are looking at Gia version 3.0 na hindi maldita and hindi rin demure. A Gia that can stand up for herself while still being a good person. I love how Kontrabida Academy also took subtle jabs at our society’s poor plight right now and giving us a wink on what to do. Maganda yung mga dialogue and the comedy was fun. Hindi ako sure ha, pero yung isang eksena dun with the yaya na nahuhuli gave me “Jumanji” vibes too.