You are here:

ML

Name: ML
Director: Benedict Mique
Released: 2018
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

3.9/10

Limited

2018

TV-14

Director

Benedict Mique

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

ML is a socio-political thriller that uses a character-driven arc to challenge historical complacency. It focuses on the tension between digital misinformation and lived experience during the Martial Law era. The film excels at cultural interrogation, using the protagonist's misguided confidence to critique the erosion of historical memory. It functions as a deconstruction of official histories and systemic power. However, the film's demographic scope is narrow, lacking representation for LGBTQ+ individuals and people with disabilities, focusing almost exclusively on political and generational themes.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does ML have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth identities. Its focus remains on historical and generational conflicts.

How does ML portray gender?

Fair

A female History professor provides an intellectual counterpoint to the male protagonist, challenging traditional patriarchal knowledge hierarchies.

How racially and ethnically diverse is ML?

Good

The story is deeply rooted in the Philippine socio-political context, prioritizing non-Western perspectives by centering on local historical complexities.

How does ML represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The plot deconstructs state-sanctioned historical narratives and critiques traditional political stances. It examines institutional authority and systemic human rights issues.

Does ML include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not feature any characters with visible or invisible disabilities. It does not address neurodivergent or physical accessibility themes.

Present on Screen

Strong cultural interrogation of Philippine history and state-sanctioned narratives.
Effective use of character conflict to critique political revisionism.
Challenges traditional patriarchal knowledge hierarchies.

Limited or Absent

Lack of LGBTQ+ representation or non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth identities.
No engagement with disability representation or accessibility themes.
Narrow demographic focus centered primarily on political and generational conflict.

Official Synopsis

Carlo, an unapologetically millennial college jock, thinks that Martial Law wasn’t all that bad. No one in his family had anything bad to say about it, all he’s ever read are online posts on human rights violations. Confronted by a frustrated History professor, Carlo sets out to prove he is right and looks for someone who lived through that period to tell the tale.

How are these scores produced? →