As a Filipino-American, I was excited to cover this film, and I wanted to make sure I gave this review the attention it deserved. It’s not your typical movie either. What makes Forgotten Island an amazing film is that anyone can enjoy it. Sure, it was clearly made with the utmost Pinoy pride. Representation matters, and this film means a lot to the people who made it. And it will mean even more to the people who watch it, whether or not they’re Filipino.

A Personal Journey Through Animation

Directed by Joel Crawford and Januel P. Mercado, who also directed DreamWorks’ Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, Forgotten Island follows best friends Jo (H.E.R.) and Raissa (Liza Soberano). In the first 15 minutes, we see the two grow up together through their shared love of Filipino mythology, especially the stories about the inhabitants of Nakali Island. (Worth noting: Nakali is short for the Tagalog word “nakalimutan” or “forgotten.” Get it now?)

Of course, this is a DreamWorks project and the two ultimately end up there. Still, the circumstances and the journey there really highlight how special the movie is. Like most best friendships, the relationship gets tested. Jo is a free spirit raised by her lola (Tagalog for grandma), while Raissa is a more sheltered, studious bookworm, fortunate to be raised by two loving yet demanding parents. Raissa eventually prepares to attend CalTech in California, away from the Philippines and Jo. That’s where tensions rise as they end up on Nakali Island.

Tayo na – Representation That Hits Close to Home

To talk a little more about the title, the name “Forgotten Island” is interesting. It’s quite the entendre, because Filipinos are often thought of as the forgotten Asian Americans. Despite being in the top three English-speaking Asian countries, you rarely hear about Filipino food. How many times has a Filipino finished in the Top 5 of singing competition shows without winning? The “Uy, Philippines!” meme exists for a reason. It’s because there’s hardly any representation.

I dedicated much of my life to Filipino-American activism and community work. That said, I had to make a section for those like me who want to see what was appropriated. First, yes, English was used, but that doesn’t really need much explanation. What’s really impressive is that while Forgotten Island definitely has its share of Easter eggs and nods, they’re tasteful and do a nice, subtle job of showing the mainstream world who Filipinos are. I won’t spoil anything, but I’ll talk about what the movie has that should keep Filipinos happy while also providing a more intimate background for those who aren’t Filipino.

One of my favorite scenes in the film takes place at Raissa’s graduation party. It has everything you’d expect to see at a Filipino party: a corny banner with a picture of the celebrant, a karaoke machine where one person is hogging all the singing but singing very well, Tinikling (one of the favorite national dances of the Philippines), lechon (a roast suckling pig that Anthony Bourdain claims is the world’s best pork dish), aunts and uncles gossiping and bragging about the futures of their kids. There’s even a photo of Jesus Christ on the wall, used to express shame whenever something unsettling happens.

People who grew up Filipino will laugh and cringe at everything in this sequence because it’s funny, toxic, and real. I personally was balling when I saw that picture of Jesus, because my family would always try to shame me using religion as a scare tactic.

Sa iyo na – Unpacking the Aswang and Island Lore

Back to the film, once the two arrive on Nakali Island, it feels like a second movie has started. We went from the cities and rural areas of the Philippines to pure island territory. When Jo and Raissa wake up on the island, they find out they were already there for a night and can’t remember what they did. Here, we’re introduced to Raww (Dave Franco), a dog who sort of serves as the duo’s island guide. It turns out the three of them had a pretty epic night on Nakali Island, and to get home, they have to retrace their steps and remember what they did.

If that sounds like the plot to The Hangover, that’s pretty much what it is. Instead of a bunch of R-Rated situations, though, replace them with locales and characters that once again pay homage to Philippine mythology, especially the aswang. This is where I learned something: Aswang is an umbrella term for “monster” in Filipino folklore. An aswang can be anything from a vampire to a ghost to a shapeshifter. Raww, himself, is an aswang. I actually grew up thinking that the aswang was specifically the mananggal, a batlike creature that can sever its torso from its legs and summon it back at will.

Forgotten Island’s antagonist is the mythological and menacing Mananggal, played by Filipina legend Lea Salonga. Honored as a Disney princess who voiced both Princess Jasmine and Mulan, Salonga’s Mananggal was downright scary. If were to compare the visual style and animation to anything that already exists in popular media, it would be Into the Spider-Verse’s Prowler. They definitely got the aura right when it came to scary.

Amazing Animation and Character Designs Rooted in Authenticity

Speaking of aura, DreamWorks was about as flawless as it could be with the designs and art style throughout. Jo has the flat Filipina nose. Raissa and her mom have that highly desired hair volume. Nakali Island feels like a character itself with the variety of locales, both bright and dark. I mentioned how scary Mananggal looked, but Batiba (Jenny Slate), the memory-stealing aswang, is as warm as she is hideous, with a catty exterior. There’s also the big blue Tiyanak demon Bungi (Manny Jacinto), who plays a baby mama’s boy vampire whose biggest fear is pink eye. As you can probably tell, the comedy here is about as random as it gets, but I respect that they stick to their bits.

The use of color and animation is truly a spectacle and something that really has to be seen. Many of the animation staff also worked on Klaus, and I have many of the same thoughts, so it isn’t surprising. There are even moments and backdrops where hand-drawn animation is perfectly blended with computer animation. There are also parts where they mix in some anime. The team is unapologetic about their inspirations, and the result is a visual buffet where you want a bit of everything.

Final Verdict: A 9/10 Triumph in Original Storytelling

Forgotten Island is absolutely tremendous, and you don’t have to be Filipino to see that. The nods to Filipino culture and mythology are as respectful as they are frequent. I even learned and researched more than my fair share after the movie, even though I have a minor in Asian American studies. The importance of representation aside, the animation is top-notch. Maybe the movie won’t do well financially, but the world-class animation should definitely net it some award nominations and wins.

DreamWorks went out and made the most original movie possible and made it a laughably enjoyable 109-minute film. Countless people have bashed Hollywood because of a lack of originality in both storytelling and animation. Forgotten Island solves all those issues. If you want more than sequels, go see it in theaters. I know I am.

Score: 9/10

Forgotten Island opens in theaters everywhere September 25, 2026.