Here Comes the Groom (2023 film)

Lore & Background

The film follows the devout Roman Catholic family of Rodrigo Sr., his wife Salve, and their children Rodrigo Jr. and Blesilda. On the way to Junior's wedding, they encounter a group of drag performers and exchange homophobic slurs. A collision at Magnetic Hill during a solar eclipse causes a soul swap between the family members and the drag performers. Rodrigo Sr. wakes up in Wanda's body, Junior in Wilhelmina's body, Blesilda in Whitney's body, and the drag performers occupy the family's bodies. The family must navigate their new identities while trying to save Junior's wedding. With the help of barangay chairman Joy, they learn the only way to reverse the swap is to recreate the accident during the next solar eclipse, seven years later. The film ends with the family and drag performers living together and waiting for the eclipse.

Reader's Guide

Here Comes the Groom continues the body-swapping premise of its predecessor, Here Comes the Bride, but with a new cast and a focus on themes of acceptance and family. The film uses comedy to explore issues of homophobia and transphobia, as the conservative Rodrigo family is forced to experience life in the bodies of drag performers. The film was produced by Quantum Films, Cineko Productions, and Brightlight Productions, and its theme song is Amakabogera by Maymay Entrata. It premiered in Philippine cinemas on April 8, 2023, as part of the Metro Manila Summer Film Festival, with proceeds going to film industry welfare foundations. Amazon Prime Video released the film for streaming on July 20, 2023.

Did You Know?

• The film is a standalone sequel to the 2010 film Here Comes the Bride, also written and directed by Chris Martinez.
• The body swapping is caused by a vehicular accident at Magnetic Hill during a solar eclipse.
• The film's theme song is Amakabogera, performed by Maymay Entrata.
• The film was released on Amazon Prime Video for streaming on July 20, 2023.