Synopsis

Cast & Crew

Episodes

Reviews (5)

Dear Karl is a tender, three-minute Filipino short film that serves as a poetic epilogue to the beloved series *Gaya sa Pelikula* (Like in the Movies). Through a deeply personal letter read by Karl (Ian Pangilinan) to his partner Vlad (Paolo Pangilinan), the story captures the quiet, intimate moments of their relationship—shared laughter, stolen glances, and the weight of saying goodbye. Directed by JP Habac and written by Juan Miguel Severo, this micro-drama distills the essence of first love and the bittersweet beauty of letting go. Shot in a single, unbroken take with a haunting soundtrack, it’s a masterclass in emotional storytelling that will leave you breathless—even if you haven’t seen the original series, though watching it first enriches the experience. A must-watch for anyone who believes that the most powerful stories can be told in just three minutes.

JP Habac

Cast

Juan Miguel Severo

Cast

Ian Pangilinan

Cast

Paolo Pangilinan

Cast

Comedy

Cast

Gay Male Lead

Cast

E01

Dear Karl Episode 1

Season 1 ·

~ min

7.6

out of 10

389

909

779

312

130

ceo_of_dying

March 2025

10/10

THREE MINUTES OF ABSOLUTE GREATNESS. I sobbed through the entire thing. Karl and Vlad's chemistry is so insanely realistic—I wish someone would film a love letter for me like this. This is the closure I never knew I needed. The music, the single take, the raw emotions... a masterpiece.

shiro_loves_bl

January 2025

8/10

You don't need to watch the original series to feel something here, but it definitely helps. The three minutes fly by, and the sense of longing the director captures is astonishing. The review text on MDL said it looked empty without reviews—well, here's mine. It's a beautiful little dessert after the main course.

aesthetic_eyes_only

October 2024

9/10

The cinematography in this short is absolutely stunning. That single continuous shot, the soft natural lighting, the way the camera breathes with the actors—it's filmmaking at its purest. The color grading gives everything a warm, nostalgic hue. Pure visual poetry.

realistic_lens_critic

July 2024

7/10

As a standalone piece, I appreciate the artistry, but the emotional payoff relies heavily on having watched *Gaya sa Pelikula*. Without that context, the letter feels a bit abstract. Still, the acting is superb, and the musical score is top-notch. It's a 7/10 for me—beautiful but slightly inaccessible to newcomers.

soundtrack_soul

September 2024

9/10

That piano score! It carries the entire short. Every note perfectly mirrors the melancholy and hope in Karl's voice. I've listened to the OST on repeat since watching. The sound design is minimal but incredibly effective—the rustle of paper, the soft breathing. It's an auditory hug.