Netflix Philippines’ Newest Original Film “THE TIME THAT REMAINS” Promises Love, Loss, and the Price of Immortality

(From L-R) Bing Pimentel, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Carlo Aquino, Director Adolfo Alix Jr., and Writer Mixkaela Villalon during the Photo Call for Netflix's "THE TIME THAT REMAINS" Media Conference

What does love mean when you're cursed to live forever? That's the haunting question at the heart of The Time That Remains, Netflix Philippines' upcoming feature drama that's looking to sink its teeth into the vampire genre and give it a distinctly Filipino heartbeat.

At the film's official media conference held last October 16, 2025 at the lobby of the Ayala Museum in Makati City, Philippines hosted by Angelica Victor, director Adolfo Alix Jr. and writer Mixkaela Villalon joined stars Carlo Aquino, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, and veteran actress Bing Pimentel to pull back the curtain on this dark, generation-spanning romance. Based on exclusive footage shown at the event, this isn't your typical bloodsucker story. It's an emotionally charged journey that blends Philippine history, indigenous folklore, and a love that refuses to die.

A Vampire Story Over a Decade in the Making

Director Adolfo Alix Jr. during the Media Conference of Netflix's "THE TIME THAT REMAINS"

Alix has been cooking up The Time That Remains for more than ten years, with one clear vision: craft a magical love story that still feels grounded in reality. Villalon received equally clear marching orders: Create a vampire romance that's authentically Filipino, not just a rehash of Western mythology.

Director Adolfo Alix Jr., writer Mixkaela Villalon, and host Angelica Victor during the Media Conference of Netflix's "THE TIME THAT REMAINS"

The solution? Look to the Kalinga people and their stories of seemingly eternal resilience. This thematic foundation becomes the backbone for the film's exploration of immortal love and survival. Even the setting matters here. The production chose a mysterious, fog-shrouded Baguio to build out the characters' world and history, giving the film a unique atmospheric identity that sets it apart from the genre's usual gothic castles and gloomy European landscapes.

Bringing Immortal Torment to the Screen

(From L-R) Stars Bing Pimentel, Jasmin Curtis-Smith, and Carlo Aquino during the Media Conference of Netflix's "THE TIME THAT REMAINS"

Carlo Aquino stars as Matias, the film's immortal, vampire-like protagonist, and his approach to the role sounds as intense as you'd expect. Aquino revealed his method was all about immersion, prioritizing Matias's emotional devastation before worrying about the physical transformation. To capture the weight of centuries of suffering, he dug into his own experiences with loss and amplified them tenfold. "There's no preparation for the kind of role he has," Aquino admitted, hinting at just how demanding this performance became.

The role of Lilia, Matias's mortal love, is split between two actresses portraying her at different life stages. Jasmine Curtis-Smith takes on the younger Lilia, while Bing Pimentel embodies her later years. Interestingly, the two never met to coordinate their performances. Pimentel credits Alix's direction for maintaining character continuity. Curtis-Smith confessed she initially worried their interpretations might clash, but ultimately accepted how the character naturally evolves across a lifetime.

For Lilia, Matias represents unconditional love, something rare in a life filled with transactional relationships. For Matias, Aquino explained, Lilia is even more vital: "a home, a sense of peace... someone who will save him and give his soul salvation." When you're immortal and suffering, finding that kind of connection isn't just romantic. It's survival.

A Fresh Take

The Time That Remains is shaping up to be a fresh take on vampire mythology that trades Transylvanian castles for Philippine mountains and exchanges Gothic horror for something more emotionally resonant. Whether this Filipino-flavored immortal romance can deliver on its ambitious premise remains to be seen, but with over a decade of development and a cast clearly invested in the emotional weight of their roles, Netflix might just have something special on its hands.

The Time That Remains is now streaming on Netflix worldwide.