Netflix has officially unveiled the trailer for 18th Rose, the streaming giant’s first original Filipino film of 2026, offering audiences an intimate first look at the heartfelt coming-of-age story set against the nostalgic backdrop of early 2000s Romblon. The trailer introduces viewers to Rose, a spirited teen dreaming of the perfect debut, and Jordan, a lonely newcomer whose arrival sets the stage for an unexpected deal that could unravel everything. Watch the trailer here.
Starring Xyriel Manabat in her debut leading lady role opposite Kyle Echarri, the film marks a significant milestone for both actors. Speaking at the New on Netflix event held in February, Manabat opened up about her deep connection to the character. “Everything came along naturally, because I believed Rose, I trusted Rose, and I fell in love with Rose,” she shared. The actress also revealed that her long-standing friendship with Echarri made their first on-screen pairing effortless, allowing their natural dynamic to translate seamlessly into the film. “It was smooth and effortless. Me and Kyle have known each other for a very long time. So for the first few days of shooting, we were just joking around. Each sequence we closed, we built a deeper connection with each other.”
Director and writer Dolly Dulu deliberately chose the early 2000s setting to transport viewers back to a simpler time, before instant messaging and social media dominated daily life. The era serves as the perfect backdrop for a tender, transformative love story that unfolds at a gentler pace. “18th Rose is a small-town film. I wanted to capture the feeling of small-town movies in the Philippines,” Dulu explained, emphasizing the intentional nostalgia woven throughout the project. The film invites audiences to lean into that nostalgia and reflect on their own pivotal moments at eighteen—a time of love and life and everything in between.
The logline teases a story filled with heart and unexpected turns: a spirited teen dreaming of the perfect debut makes a deal with a lonely newcomer, but unexpected feelings and revelations may shatter their plans. As the trailer reveals glimpses of sun-drenched provincial landscapes, tender glances, and the quiet ache of first love, it becomes clear that 18th Rose is poised to capture hearts both in the Philippines and around the world.
Catch the global launch of 18th Rose on April 9, only on Netflix.
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