Metro Manila, Philippines – Fans and netizens are praising the chemistry and performances of Xyriel Manabat and Kyle Echarri in Netflix’s coming-of-age film “18th Rose,” with many saying the movie struck a strong emotional chord.
Viewers took to social media to share their reactions, describing the film as both “heartbreaking” and “kilig,” with some highlighting Manabat’s performance.
“Grabe para akong baliw dito sa #18thRose iyak tawa kilig. Isa ka talagang alamat ms #XyrielManabat,” one user wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Others pointed to the pairing of the two actors, calling their first on-screen team-up effective and memorable.
“This is their first team-up but it didn’t disappoint. Dang, @kyle_echarri is so good at making hearts flutter and Xyriel is so good at making us cry,” another post read.
Viewers also noted the film’s nostalgic appeal, saying it resonated even with older audiences.
“I just finished watching #18thRose, I’m 31 already but the feels while watching that HS stuff! My smile never faded, and my tears never stopped either,” one netizen said.
The film, which premiered globally on Netflix on April 9, marks Manabat’s first lead role and her first screen partnership with Echarri.
“Everything came along naturally, because I believed Rose, I trusted Rose, and I fell in love with Rose,” Manabat said during a Netflix event in February.
Echarri, meanwhile, said their real life friendship helped build their on-screen chemistry.
“It was smooth and effortless… each sequence we closed, we built a deeper connection with each other,” he said.
Directed by Dolly Dulu, the film is set in early 2000s Romblon and follows a teenager preparing for her debut while navigating love, identity, and unexpected emotions.
Dulu said the setting was meant to evoke a simpler time before the rise of social media.
“’18th Rose’ is a small-town film; I wanted to capture the feeling of small-town movies in the Philippines,” she said.
As Netflix’s first original Filipino film for 2026, “18th Rose” centers on a young girl dreaming of the perfect debut who enters a deal with a mysterious newcomer, only to find herself caught between expectations and real feelings.
“18th Rose” is now number 2 in Netflix top movies in the Philippines.
