From Adan to Sitio Diablo, The Cult Director reshapes bold storytelling and powers the VMX streaming boom.
For decades, the word “bold” in Philippine cinema evoked memories of the 1980s and ‘90s, when directors like Peque Gallaga, Lore Reyes, Mel Chionglo, and Lino Brocka pushed boundaries through films that mixed sensuality with social commentary. Then came the pandemic. As cinemas closed and streaming became the country’s primary movie screen, one filmmaker emerged at the center of a new movement: Roman Perez Jr.
Known in the industry as “The Cult Director,” Perez became one of the defining creative forces behind VMX (formerly Vivamax), directing a string of erotic thrillers and dramas that transformed the streaming platform into a cultural phenomenon. His films launched new stars, attracted millions of subscribers, and helped revive the erotic genre for a new generation of viewers.
Spanning independent cinema, streaming blockbusters, and internationally recognized festival entries, these 10 films trace the evolution of Perez’s career—from the movie that helped revive modern Filipino erotic cinema to the productions that transformed VMX into a streaming powerhouse and pushed the genre into bold new territory.
10. “Adan” (2019)
Starring Rhen Escaño and Cindy Miranda, “Adan” became the film that helped reignite modern Philippine erotic cinema before the pandemic. The LGBTQ+ romance explored forbidden love and sexuality at a time when few local filmmakers were willing to revisit the genre.
The film proved there was still an audience for intimate, daring storytelling and laid the groundwork for the streaming boom that would soon follow.
9. “Taya” (2021)
Headlined by AJ Raval and Sean De Guzman, “Taya” is widely regarded as the film that launched the new wave of streaming-era Philippine erotic cinema. The thriller became one of the earliest breakout hits on Vivamax, helping transform the platform from a fledgling streaming service into a digital powerhouse with millions of subscribers.
Its success inspired other studios to invest in streaming originals, with many considering “Taya” a modern cult classic comparable in influence to Peque Gallaga’s “Scorpio Nights.”
8. “The Housemaid” (2021)
Featuring Kylie Verzosa, Albert Martinez and Jaclyn Jose, “The Housemaid” marked one of Perez’s biggest productions.
Originally intended for theatrical release, the psychological thriller represented one of the industry’s earliest attempts to bring back the classic Filipino bold film with bigger budgets, established stars and international production support.
7. “Salakab” (2023)
Led by Angeli Khang and Benz Sangalang, “Salakab” shifted Perez’s sights toward the international festival circuit.
The film showcased one of Khang’s most dramatic performances while reuniting Perez with cinematographer Albert Banzon. Beyond its sensuality, the movie reflected the director’s growing ambition to elevate VMX productions to global standards.
6. “Palipat-lipat, Papalit-palit” (2024)
Starring VR Relosa and Denise Esteban, “Palipat-Lipat, Papalit-Palit” was created with international audiences in mind.
The emotionally driven melodrama showcased polished performances from its ensemble while demonstrating that erotic cinema could also thrive through character-driven storytelling and strong acting rather than relying solely on provocative content.
5. “Kalakal” (2025)
Headlined by Aliya Raymundo and Gold Aceron, “Kalakal” has already earned international recognition and is set to compete at the First Asian Barcelona Film Festival alongside Lav Diaz’s “Hapis.”
Its growing festival profile reflects Perez’s continuing effort to bring VMX productions to international audiences while expanding perceptions of what Philippine erotic cinema can achieve.
4. “Litsoneras” (2025)
Starring Yen Durano and VR Relosa, “Litsoneras” serves as Perez’s cinematic love letter to National Artist Lino Brocka.
Inspired by Brocka’s masterpiece “Insiang,” the film reimagines themes of poverty, survival and violence through a contemporary lens. It also launched Durano in a breakout role while featuring one of Relosa’s most acclaimed performances.
3. “Hugas” (2022)
Led by AJ Raval and Sean De Guzman, “Hugas” marked Perez’s first collaboration with acclaimed filmmaker Jon Red, who wrote and conceptualized the project.
The film became one of the longest-streamed titles on VMX, sustaining the momentum created by “Taya” and further cementing the platform’s dominance during the pandemic streaming boom.
2. “Pamasahe” (2022)
Starring Azi Acosta and Mark Anthony Fernandez, “Pamasahe” became the most-streamed film in VMX history.
The revenge drama launched Acosta as a leading star while telling a distinctly Filipino story of exploitation and resilience. Its popularity extended beyond the Philippines, with a Taiwanese adaptation now in development—making it one of the few VMX titles to inspire an international remake.
1. “Sitio Diablo” (2022)
Headlined by AJ Raval and Kiko Estrada, “Sitio Diablo” is widely regarded as Perez’s most ambitious work.
Conceived as a homage to the Brazilian classic “City of God,” the project was originally intended for Cinemalaya before evolving into a much larger production. It also became the first Perez film approved by Viva chairman Vic del Rosario Jr. for theatrical release.
Originally envisioned as the country’s first rap musical featuring some of the biggest names in Philippine hip-hop, the project eventually took a different creative direction while retaining its gritty depiction of street life.
Set against the backdrop of the Duterte administration’s war on drugs, “Sitio Diablo” blends crime, sexuality, music and social realism into a portrait of life inside urban communities. It captures the realities of Tokhang, gang culture and survival, serving as both a cinematic time capsule of the pandemic era and one of the boldest social statements to emerge from modern Philippine erotic cinema.
The film also represents Perez’s artistic maturity as a filmmaker—an uncompromising work that pushes beyond the conventions of the genre by combining political relevance, street culture and bold storytelling into a film unlike anything else in contemporary Philippine cinema.
The cult director’s legacy
Whether viewed as provocative entertainment or as socially conscious dramas wrapped in erotic storytelling, Roman Perez Jr.’s films have undeniably reshaped the landscape of Philippine streaming cinema.
His work helped launch many of VMX’s biggest stars, proved that erotic films could thrive in the digital age, and demonstrated that the genre could aspire to both commercial success and international recognition. As he expands into mainstream television and theatrical filmmaking, The Cult Director has already secured his place as one of the most influential Filipino filmmakers of the streaming generation.
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