Rewind (2023 film)

John, a diligent but emotionally distant office worker, resigns after his boss, Hermie, promotes Vivian over him. Vivian then visits John at his office and they share a kiss. The following day, John and his wife, Mary, argue about his resignation and his infidelity with Vivian, which Mary discovered via a video recorded by John's colleague, Hannah. Distracted, John crashes their car, tragically killing Mary at 3:00 PM. Due to Mary's death, his son Austin moves in with his grandmother, leaving John alone at home to reminisce the times he had with his late wife as he drowns himself in alcohol and cigarettes.

One night, a drunken John encounters Jess, an electrician from Austin's school nicknamed "Lods" who strikingly resembles Jesus Christ. John discovers Mary had hired Jess for his surprise birthday party. Over drinks, Jess, or “Lods,” offers John a chance to travel back in time to save Mary and rectify his past mistakes, with the condition that someone must die that day. John agrees, offering his own life.

Transported back to Hermie's birthday party (the day he was passed over for promotion), John makes different choices. He calmly accepts being sidelined, rebuffs Vivian's advances, and prevents Hannah from recording any compromising interactions. He then reconciles with his estranged father and gives his son, Austin, his blessing to pursue a career as a pianist, encouraging him to take Mary out on a date.

The next morning, John discovers Mary's plans to enroll in culinary school in Singapore, taking Austin, who was accepted into a music academy there, with her. Mary asserts her desire to pursue her own dreams, leaving John feeling that his sacrifices have been in vain. He confronts Lods, who is setting up lights in the yard. Lods chastises John's selfishness and offers to reverse time, allowing Mary to die as initially fated, but John refuses.

Later, on their way to Austin's play, John gives Mary his heartfelt blessing to pursue her dreams with their son in Singapore. At the critical moment of the accident, John deftly avoids the collision with the tree, saving Mary's life.

While watching Austin's play, John spots Lods in the audience, a chilling reminder that it's almost 3:00 PM, the moment Mary was meant to die. Outside in the hallway, John pleads for his life, but ultimately accepts his fate after Lods assures him his death will inspire Mary to become a successful restaurateur and Austin a renowned pianist who dedicates his performances to his father's memory. Lods grants him a final wish: to see the end of his son's play.

Back in the auditorium, John watches as Austin dedicates his performance to his parents. John moves to embrace him, but Austin walks past him, rushing into the hall. Following, John finds Austin and Mary hovering over his collapsed body, and a dawning, somber realization washes over him: he is already dead. He then steps into a bright, inviting light, signaling his journey to the afterlife.

At John's wake, Mary delivers a heartfelt eulogy as Austin plays the piano, honoring his father's final wishes. Years later, both Mary and Austin thrive in their successful careers. After bidding farewell to Austin, now with a family of his own, an elderly Mary shares a poignant dance with John's spirit, a testament to enduring love and the profound impact of his sacrifice.

Cast

Dingdong Dantes as John Nuñez

Marian Rivera as Mary Nuñez

• Dingdong Dantes as John Nuñez, Mary’s husband, who shifted his priorities from being a family man to a workaholic man aspiring for promotion.
  • Jeremiah Cruz as Young John
• Marian Rivera as Mary Nuñez, John’s wife, who had to give up her promising career as a chef in order to become a full-time housewife.
  • Enicka Xaria Orbe as Young Mary
• Jordan Lim as Austin Nuñez, Mary and John’s son who has a passion for playing the piano.
  • Alonzo Muhlach as child Austin^[5]
  • JC Alcantara plays as the adult version of Austin Nuñez.
• Pepe Herrera as Lods, who turns out to be Jesus who poses as Jess, an electrician hired by Mary, and who gave John a chance to go back in time, albeit with a caveat.
• Coney Reyes as Leonora, Mary’s mother.
• Ariel Ureta as Hermie, John and Mary's godfather at their wedding, who is also the company president where John works.
• Lito Pimentel as Nestor, John's estranged father.
• Ina Feleo as Aurora, one of Mary's close friends.
• Joross Gamboa as Lucio, one of John's subordinates.
• Sue Ramirez as Vivian Pastrana, John's younger colleague, who is attracted to him.
• Pamu Pamorada as Hannah, John's assistant.
• Shanaia Gomez as Austin's future wife.
• Mary Joy Apostol as Ningning, John and Mary's maid.
• Via Antonio as Bridgette, one of Mary's close friends.
• Chamyto Aguedan as Dennis, one of Mary's close friends.

On June 21, 2023, Star Cinema announced through a media press conference that the film Rewind, written by Enrico Santos and directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar, will be top-billed by GMA Network's exclusive talents and celebrity couple Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera and to be co-produced with the former's production company Agosto Dos Media and APT Entertainment.^[6]

Enrico Santos is the scriptwriter for the film. He said that the material for Rewind was conceptualized prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[7] Despite the script being ready by 2020, filming was delayed due to the pandemic.^[8]

On July 10, 2023, the committee chose the film as one of the first four official entries for the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival.^[9] On September 21, 2023, lead actor Dingdong Dantes posted on his Instagram account some snippets of the film's wedding scene with captions implying that it was the first day of production.^[10]

Ben&Ben's "Sa Susunod Na Habang Buhay" was used as the main theme song for the film.

The official 90-second teaser of the film was released on November 13, 2023.^[11] On November 23, 2023, an official poster was unveiled to the public with the presence of the lead couple, and was later uploaded on the social media platform accounts of Star Cinema and other related divisions of ABS-CBN.^[12] On December 4, 2023, a full official trailer was released by Star Cinema.^[13]

Rewind premiered in cinemas in the Philippines on December 25, 2023, as one of the official entries of the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival.^[14]

On March 25, 2024, Rewind was released on Netflix among other 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival entries on the following scheduled dates, and also the following day, the exclusive deleted scenes of the film were released on Star Cinema's social media accounts.^[15][16]