The premise and setting of One Hit Wonder are ripe for grabbing the attention of anyone who grew up in the mid-90s. Director Marla Ancheta successfully captures the vibe of the era through meticulously crafted sets and a soundtrack packed with some of the period’s most memorable love songs. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the film’s writing and pacing which was rushed and rough around the edges.
Lorina (Sue Ramirez) once stood at the brink of fame but lost her chance when stage fright overtook her. A decade later in 1994, she crosses paths with Entoy (Khalil Ramos), a struggling musician who refuses to believe their moment in the spotlight has already passed. Determined to chase redemption, the two push forward together, but their pursuit of dreams may cost them more than they realize.
On paper, One Hit Wonder is full of promise, but in execution, it never quite finds its rhythm. For us, the love story between Lorina and Entoy develops far too quickly. One day they’re acquaintances, the next they’re lovers, with major turning points occurring without the necessary build-up. The lack of character and narrative development makes the story feel unearned and uninspiring. The film also attempts to blend romance with the struggles of becoming a musician but these struggles we barely and rarely get to see or understand. What keeps the film from completely faltering are its nostalgic elements. The production design was meticulously crafted and costumes perfectly evoke the 90s. The soundtrack is a strong highlight, filled with timeless songs that will surely tug at the heartstrings of audiences from its era. Sue Ramirez and Khalil Ramos also share genuine chemistry, but their performances are ultimately wasted on writing that doesn’t give them much to work with. In the end, One Hit Wonder delivers an authentic nostalgic trip but falls short of being the grounded, heartfelt story we expected it to be. It’s a film that looks and sounds the part but struggles to truly strike a chord.
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One Hit Wonder (2025) Movie Review: Right Nostalgic Notes But Misses the Story Beats
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