Psychedelic comedy takes on the dangers of catfishing

CEBU, Philippines —  It’s working to writer-director Darryl Yap’s advantage that MTRCB’s claws have yet to reach streaming platforms, lest many of his films would have never seen the light of day. Each one of his movies, he has always said, isn’t for the fainthearted.

For his psycho sexy-comedy “Sarap Mong  Patayin”, it’s an understatement that it is not for everyone. But if you’re up for something different in terms of theme, texture and color, this Vivamax offering could be right up your alley.

“Sarap Mong Patayin” delves on “catfishing” – a term which means that someone is pretending to be somebody else online. By stealing photos and even personal information of others, they set up a fake profile that would attract those looking for love or a hookup.

But if the current Netflix hit “Love Hard” took on catfishing the rom-com way, don’t look for any of those Hallmark clichés in this Pinoy flick that stars beauty queen Ariella Ara Arida, towering hunk Kit Thompson and comedian-vlogger Lassy Marquez in his biggest film break.

Kit plays Yael, a 25-year-old who works out in a CrossFit gym. His picture is seen on Course, an online dating app where participants can engage in sexual activities. All they have to do is click on “Inter”, if they are ready to meet in person and be physically intimate, or click “Intra”, if it’s all just a digital sexual act. Yael sends a message to his longtime chatmate, and chooses “Inter”.

Ariella is Krista, the woman Yael believes he is chatting with and the one he’s fantasizing over.  Krista is aware of Yael’s existence, but she is not the only one handling her account.

Lassy portrays Noel, Krista’s friend and partner in catfishing.  Noel is excited about meeting Yael. Together with Krista, he plans their succeeding actions. Noel is in need of funds and if they play their cards right, he and Krista will get what they want. Little do they know that they will be messing with the wrong guy and things will soon turn deadly.

“Aside from catfishing, it revolves around sex, internet and drugs. That combination makes it very delectable to kill and die,” explained Direk Daryll during a Zoom conference.

“What separates ours from other catfishing movies is that the characters are all under the influence of drugs. The take of the movie is, it seems like the viewer is also on drugs. At first you’ll find it weird, but yung pagkakalatag ng pelikula, what if the viewer is a drug user?”

“Sarap Mong Patayin” is also the title of the hauntingly good theme song by Marion Aunor, who also appears in the movie, along with cast members Bob Jbeili and Tart Carlos.

With his chosen POV, the prolific filmmaker’s major challenge was staying consistent, especially that he has never dabbled in drugs. He merely researched on cocaine, marijuana and mushrooms and its effects – all of which he visually applied on screen.

In meeting his stars for the first time, Direk Daryll’s first question to them was, “Kaya niyo ba makipaghalikan sa isa’t-isa?”

While the Miss Universe 2013 third runner-up didn’t bat an eyelash, he said it was Lassy who was amusingly grossed out.

“Si Ara sabi niya agad no problem. But when I asked Lassy if he was willing to kiss a Miss Universe Philippines, ang sagot niya ‘Talaga ba Direk? Sure ka?’”

Direk Daryll sang praises for his stars: Ariella for her expressive eyes, go-getter attitude and acting chops; and Kit for his professionalism as he dove into his role despite dealing with a personal problem during filming.

But more than anything, “Sarap Mong Patayin” was a vehicle for Lassy – known to play support to many of Vice Ganda’s movies – to be recognized as serious actor. And the Beks Battalion member did not disappoint.

As for the issue of catfishing, Direk Daryll surmised that because cyber dating is basically about fantasy, he understands if others pretend to somebody else for momentary pleasure. When it starts to harm others, that’s where he draws the line.