Filmhouse At Home – Verdict

Director: Raymund Ribay Gutierrez
Starring: Max Eigenmann, Kristoffer King, Jordhen Suan, Lourdes Javelosa-Indunan

Available to stream at home from Tuesday 13 April 

The deserved winner of the prestigious Orizzonti Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival, Verdict is the moving story of a woman’s fight for justice against domestic abuse.

In Manila, Joy (the wonderfully empathetic Max Eigenmann) endures frequent violent outbursts from her husband Dante (Kristoffer King). But when he returns home drunk and hurts their six-year-old daughter Angel (Jordhen Suan), Joy finally snaps. Cradling Angel, they flee to the local police station and begin proceedings.

Yet Joy’s search for justice comes at a price. Her case, obstructed by corruption, bureaucracy and seemingly indifferent officials, feels like it’s going nowhere, while Dante increasingly threatens the mother and daughter’s safety.

Deeply engaging and told with an honest, documentary-like sensitivity, Verdict is a compelling and heart-wrenching drama. The film casts an unflinching gaze at a subject, too often ignored: not only the dark heart of domestic violence and its appalling consequences, but the inherent biases of the law courts, who seem to favour the fortunate and connected.

★★★★ “RAYMUND RIBAY GUTIERREZ… DIRECTS WITH EMPATHY AND ENERGY; HE’S A NAME TO WATCH” The Guardian

★★★★ “FILLED WITH STRONG PERFORMANCES” Little White Lies

Stream on demand for £9.99. You’ll have 48 hours to watch the film. 50% of the streaming fee goes towards supporting Northampton Filmhouse.

Please note, while Verdict is listed on our website and we receive a share of the rental fee, the purchasing and rental agreement is between you and the film distributor for each movie.