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Wanted: Houseboy

Wanted: Houseboy  ·  2013, Philippines
6.8
2,330 ratings
1
Film
0
Watchlisted
● Completed 🕑 2013

A young man with a rural upbringing finds work in the city as a houseboy for a middle-aged gay man. The residents of the house take advantage of his naivete, causing dire consequences for all of them. (Source: IMDb)

Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Episodes
Reviews (5)

In this gritty Filipino drama, a wide-eyed young man from the provinces arrives in the bustling city, desperate for work. He lands a job as a houseboy for a lonely, middle-aged gay man living in a cramped apartment. Initially grateful, he quickly becomes the object of desire and manipulation for both his employer and the building's predatory tenants. As his innocence collides with their relentless advances, tensions escalate into a web of exploitation, jealousy, and violence that threatens to destroy everyone involved. Wanted: Houseboy is a raw, unflinching look at power dynamics, class divides, and the painful cost of chasing a better life, delivering a cautionary tale that lingers long after the credits roll.

Episode data is coming soon.

6.8
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cynthia_cynic
June 2024
6/10
I appreciate that it tackles uncomfortable real-world issues, but the pacing felt off and some moments relied too heavily on melodrama. The characters acted irrationally just to move the plot forward—still, a decently made film with a strong message.
SH
shipper_heart_27
November 2023
8/10
This is not a typical BL romance—it's painful and raw. But the chemistry between the leads is undeniably magnetic, even if it's built on exploitation. It broke my heart, but I couldn't look away. A masterpiece of emotional ruin.
AG
aesthetics_geek_ph
March 2024
7/10
The film uses tight framing and dim lighting to create an oppressive atmosphere that perfectly mirrors the protagonist's entrapment. The color palette leans into sickly yellows and grays, making every scene feel claustrophobic. Not pretty, but visually effective.
SC
social_conscience_review
August 2023
9/10
This film is a crucial piece of queer cinema that doesn't shy away from showing how poverty and naivety can be weaponized. The lack of consent in every physical encounter is disturbing but honest. It sparked an important discussion about power in queer relationships—more BLs should dare to go this deep.
SC
second_couple_fan
January 2025
5/10
I was hoping for a more layered side story, but there's really just one central relationship here—and it's too toxic for me to root for. The secondary characters are paper-thin villains. Still, it's refreshing to see a Philippine BL try something this dark, even if it didn't fully land for me.