Rookie 2023 Movie Review

『Sincere Emotions Intertwined Within Youth, Growth, and Friendship』

🎥 Movie Overview

🎬 Title: Rookie (2023)
🌍 Country: 🇵🇭 Philippines
🎞️ Genre: LGBTQ+ / Coming-of-Age / Sports / Romance Drama
📢 Director: Samantha Lee

👩‍💼 Cast: Pat Tingjuy – Ace
Aya Fernandez – Jana

🧩 In-Depth Story Exploration (Spoilers)

🏐 Freedom Within Oppression

The film is set in an all-girls Catholic high school, creating an ironic and layered backdrop for a queer narrative.

• The ban on basketball and its link to lesbianism: The school authorities fear that basketball (Ace’s favorite sport) might make the girls “too gay,” so they only operate a volleyball team. This conservative logic ironically becomes the mechanism through which Ace and Jana form a deep bond through volleyball. Ace, in a silent yet powerful way, proves that “it’s not basketball, but the women themselves” who make her fall in love.

• The absence of external conflict: Unlike many queer films, Ace and Jana’s relationship is relatively accepted by friends, family, and teammates. The main tension comes not from external homophobia, but from inner confusion, personal growth, and an external threat surrounding the team (sexual misconduct). This reflects director Samantha Lee’s clear vision to portray queer love as a natural part of everyday life.

👊 From Rivals to Lovers (The 'Enemy-to-Lover' Trope)

The romance between Ace and Jana follows the classic sports trope of rivals who slowly fall in love.

• Initial tension: Ace is forced to join the volleyball team even though she prefers basketball, while Jana, the team captain, sees Ace as a disruptive presence. Jana’s cold, composed beauty and competitive edge create an electric tension between them.

• Shared space and liberation through sport: Though inexperienced, Ace learns to play volleyball and begins to find belonging within the team. Training and matches serve as nonverbal forms of communication between her and Jana. A shared bed during training camp—a classic romantic trope—becomes the moment that catalyzes their intimacy.

• The aesthetics of tension: The film delicately captures the quiet thrill and uncertainty of first love—through prolonged glances, subtle gestures, and unspoken emotions that hover between rivalry and affection.

🌹 Portraying the Realities of Young Women

While centered on Ace and Jana’s love story, 《Rookie》 also delves into deeper social realities faced by young women in the Philippines.

• Sexual misconduct and community support: In the latter half, the team’s physical therapist, Coach Kel, is revealed to have engaged in inappropriate behavior toward team members. This event marks one of the film’s turning points. Unlike real-life situations where victims often face silence or blame, Ace and Jana find solidarity, speak out, and are supported by those around them.

• Constructing a world of hope: The film acknowledges that perpetrators of sexual assault are often not easily punished in real life, yet it creates a ‘wish-fulfillment’ world where victims are believed and supported. This embodies Lee’s intent to present hope and solidarity for both women and the LGBTQ+ community.

🌈 The Power of ‘Normal’ Queer Stories

《Rookie》 delivers a strong message: “Being queer is not the entirety of one’s identity.” Ace and Jana’s love does not require a grand battle against societal rejection; instead, it unfolds naturally amid sports, studies, friendships, and everyday struggles—a beautifully ordinary teenage romance.

Ultimately, the film affirms a hopeful truth: “The world may not yet be perfect, but there are good people around you who will believe and stand by you.” Through this warmth and optimism, 《Rookie》 opens a new chapter in Filipino queer cinema.

🎯 Personal Rating

💕 Love Scene Intensity: ♥
⭐ Overall Rating: ★★★☆