Kontrabida Academy

Kontrabida Academy is a 2025 Philippine comedy film written and directed by Chris Martinez. The film stars Barbie Forteza and Eugene Domingo in a story about a woman who enters a school designed to train villains. The film was released globally on the streaming platform Netflix on September 11, 2025. Critics have described the film as a campy homage to Philippine soap operas.

Gigi is a woman who faces difficulties in her personal and professional life.^[1] She works as an assistant manager at a Korean barbecue restaurant, where she is treated poorly by her manager, Jingo.^[2] Gigi also struggles with debt caused by her mother, Betty, and discovers that her boyfriend of seven years, Abet, is cheating on her.^[2] She feels like a "pushover" at work and in her home.^[3]

Gigi wins a television set in a raffle and begins watching a soap opera titled Batas ng Api (transl. Law of the Oppressed).^[2] The show features a villain named Mauricia, who speaks to Gigi through the screen.^[2] Mauricia invites Gigi to enroll in the "Kontrabida Academy" to learn how to fight back against those who mistreat her.^[4] Mauricia promises that the curriculum will help Gigi reach her full potential.^[5][6]

At the academy, Gigi attends classes taught by various villains.^[7] The subjects include facial expressions, insults, and physical confrontation.^[2] Gigi adopts a new, confident persona named "Gia."^[8] She eventually returns to the real world to confront her problems using the dirty tricks she learned.^[9] The film also depicts a "San Bida University," a school for heroes that contrasts with the villain academy.^[2][10]

The film features two lead actresses.^[5]

• Barbie Forteza as Gigi / Gia
• Eugene Domingo as Mauricia

The supporting cast includes:^[10][2][9]

• Jameson Blake as Arnaldo
• Carmina Villarroel as Betty
• Ysabel Ortega as Mirinisa
• Yasser Marta as Abet
• Michael de Mesa
• Xyriel Manabat as Mimi
• Myrtle Sarrosa
• Jonathan Tadioan as Jingo

The film features cameo appearances by veteran actors known for playing antagonists, who portray the academy's faculty:^[2]

• Rez Cortez (Facial Expression)
• Dimples Romana (Insults)
• Odette Khan (Principal)
• Celia Rodriguez (History)
• Jean Garcia (Art)
• Pinky Amador (Languages)
• Gladys Reyes (Mathematics)
• Baron Geisler (Physical Education)
• Mylene Dizon (Science)
• Susan Africa

Netflix announced the project on January 31, 2025.^[11] Early promotional photos showed the lead actresses in formal dresses with the tagline, "Bida or kontrabida, you decide."^[12] The film was written and directed by Chris Martinez.^[13][9] This marked a collaboration between Martinez and Domingo, who had previously worked together on the Kimmy Dora series and Ang Babae sa Septic Tank.^[2][4] The film has a runtime of one hour and 48 minutes.^[9]

Eugene Domingo stated that the film highlights the contributions of "kontrabidas" (villains) to the industry.^[14] She noted that Filipino audiences might be evolving to root for characters who are assertive rather than just underdogs.^[14] To prepare for her role, Barbie Forteza used lessons she learned from an online acting masterclass she took with the late Cherie Gil during the COVID-19 pandemic.^[8] Forteza stated that the film explores how a "villainous" influence can change a person's life.^[8] The film includes a tribute to late actors known for villain roles, including Gil, Bella Flores, and Zeny Zabala.^[2]

The official trailer was released in August 2025.^[3] To promote the film, Netflix held a launch event called the "Kontrabida Ball" at The Peninsula Manila.^[15] The event featured gothic decor, including crimson drapes and candlelit chandeliers.^[15] Attendees included the cast and iconic Philippine screen villains.^[16]

The film began streaming on Netflix on September 11, 2025.^[17][18] It was made available in over 200 countries.^[16]

Kontrabida Academy reached the number one spot on the "Top 10 Movies in the Philippines Today" list on Netflix shortly after its release.^[19]

Fred Hawson of ABS-CBN News gave the film a positive review, praising Eugene Domingo for embracing the "villainy" of her role.^[2] He also complimented Barbie Forteza for her acting range during her character's transformation.^[2] However, Hawson criticized the scenes set at the "hero school," describing the fashion and subjects there as cliché.^[2] Rolling Stone Philippines called the film "camp with a capital K" and noted it as an ode to teleserye villains.^[6] Ica Hontiveros-Cheng of BusinessMirror wrote that the film is a "call to change."^[20] She interpreted the plot as a message that people should stand up for their rights against oppression.^[20]