'Love Child' Movie Review: It's Not Just For 'Ausome' Families

This article may contain some spoilers, but please, watch the movie.

Love Child is a film that tells the story of young parents, Ayla (Jane Oineza) and Paolo (RK Bagatsing), whose firstborn son, Kali (John Tyrron Ramos), is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of four.

From being college sweethearts who had dreams of becoming a lawyer and a filmmaker, the couple moves away from their families to face the realities of raising a neurodivergent child in the province of Silay, Negros Occidental. 

This 2024 Cinemalaya film by Jonathan Jurilla premiered in cinemas nationwide in August and was released on Netflix last January 2. Since then, it has received praises from its viewers, especially from parents of children with Autism, whose struggles were poignantly captured in the movie.

In a Facebook post, Jurilla shared his hopes for the film, "Hangad natin na magsimula na ang pagtanggap sa Autism bilang bahagi ng buhay at agarang aksyon sa mga problemang hinaharap ng mga taong at pamilyang araw-araw na nakikipaglaban sa ganitong kondisyon."

At the start, watching the film feels like taking a peek into the daily lives of families of children with Autism. While one might assume that the film's primary audience is these 'Ausome' families, but critics such as the Goldwin Reviews note that "it is a love letter to all parents from all walks of life. It deserves a space in your mailbox and a place in your heart. Embrace it and don’t let go." The film critic blog, which reviewed 192 Filipino films in 2024, recognized Love Child as the Best Filipino Film of 2024—and I couldn't agree more.

Why you should watch 'Love Child'

Love Child has a simple plot, with a romantic-comedy (rom-com) and drama genres, yet it has a lot of significant issues that are worthy to unpack. It is a good Rated-13 film to watch on Netflix. Here are more reasons why this film deserves your time: 

1. If you want to understand what it's like to be a first-time parent

They say you never truly understand parenting until you experience it yourself. At first, I doubted whether Oineza and Bagatsing could give justice to their roles given that neither are parents in real life. As the story progresses, the actors prove they were perfectly cast for their characters.

Ayla and Paolo showed the realities of Generation Z parents, who would rely on TikTok and influencers for parenting advice, while grappling with the life updates of their friends on social media. Their journey as first-time parents will take you back to the moments you had to deal with unsolicited advice, and overcome the hard days.

2. If you feel stuck in your season as a parent

The couple, who dropped out from college after finding out they were pregnant, initially feel like their dreams are slipping away. Ayla, who used to be the top debater in college, works as a virtual assistant, while Paolo, an aspiring filmmaker, edits videos at cheaper rates to make ends meet.

Having a child with Autism, whose Kinder tuition would cost Php 75,000, and would need a shadow teacher that charges Php 15,000 per month, initially made them feel like a failure. Still, with the goal of giving their son a good life, and making sure that he is wanted and loved, Ayla and Pao became all the more inspired to achieve their dreams. 

What's more, the film will make you realize that the best things in life aren't great careers or money—it’s witnessing your child’s milestones.

3. If you've cut ties with family members

Ayla and Paolo’s strained relationships with their parents mirror the experiences of many Filipino families. 

Paolo doesn't want to become like his dad and Ayla avoids seeking help from her mother, who is not fond of her grandson. In the end, both of them realize that to raise a child—neurodivergent or not—means you need a strong support system, a village. And sometimes, even though it's hard, we have to make amends to make things work for the best interests of our child.

4. If you don't realize the sacrifices of your partner

Amid the chaos of parenting, sometimes it's easy to forget the person you fell in love with, the one who used to give you butterflies. But the film opens our eyes to the sacrifices of the father as the provider, and the mother's mental load as the default caregiver that often goes unnoticed.  

It also emphasizes how important communication, support, and encouragement are for parenting to work. After all, at the end of the day, the two of you are the pillars your family stands on.

'Love Child' movie lines that will resonate with parents

Spoiler alert: The movie brought me to tears, what with all the quotable quotes that parents can relate with. Here are some of them, starting with one delivered by Paolo in the first few minutes of the film.

"Si Tim Burton, Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Alice in Wonderland. May Autism din siya. Ayla, gagawin natin ang lahat para kay Kali. Ibibigay natin sa kanya 'yung Wonderland niya." —Paolo, Love Child (2024)

"We're trying to prove to our parents na we didn't fail as children. Pero ngayon, we are trying our best. At tingin ko yun ang pinakaimportante. We're trying our best na hindi tayo papalpak kay Kali." —Paolo, Love Child (2024)

"Dahil baka t*nga tayo, Pao! Baka t*nga tayo na naniwala sa love. Na magkapamilya sa panahong ito. Halos lahat ng batchmates, wala namang pakialam sa pagbuo ng pamilya. Panay one-night stand lang, friends with benefits lang. Walang love. Walang chance na bumuo ng pamilya na traditional. Lagi silang "sana all" o "when kaya." Pero alam mo kung papipiliin silang mag-sacrifice o yung sarili nila, pipiliin nila yung sarili nila. At walang masama do'n. Practical lang." —Ayla, Love Child (2024)

"Alam ko hindi madali ang maging isang magulang. Kung ang pagiging parents ay pagiging superheroes, parents of kids with special needs ang pinakamalakas na superheroes. Kayo yun. The best thing pa with you, gaya ng anak ko at ng asawa niya, nakakaya niyo ang araw-araw na hirap at lungkot because of your youth. You are young but don't take that as a disadvantage. It is your strength, it is your superpower." —Lola of Milo, Love Child (2024)

"Naka-extra difficult ang life settings natin. Pero tambakan na ako ng pagkakataon ng maraming problema pero wala akong pakialam. Dahil natuto akong magmahal nang dahil sa inyong dalawa." —Paolo, Love Child (2024)

'Love Child' is not just for families of children with Autism

Overall, the movie made me check on my privileges. As a wife and mother of two, I realized how we should never undermine the struggles of other parents, especially those blessed with neurodivergent children. While the movie may have been initially created for them, it's a story meant for all of us to see.

We may never fully understand what they are going through. However, if watching the movie and sharing this movie review can help spread awareness on their struggles and lighten their load, then let's take the opportunity to contribute, even in a small way, to their journey of creating a "Wonderland" for their children. 

Watch the 'Love Child' movie on Netflix here

Watch the 'Love Child' trailer on YouTube here

Curious for more? Check out our list of parent-recommended TV series featuring Persons with Autism here.