In “Green Bones” (2024), a prison guard is willing to go to any lengths to stop a convict from leaving the prison. He thinks that’s how he can free himself from the emotional pain and burden of his past. Yet, over time, he learns the harsh truth about the prisoner and a system that benefits from keeping him behind bars. Written by Angeli Guidaya-Atienza and Ricky Lee, the screenplay navigates his moral dilemma as he starts to question the nature of their actions. This Zig Madamba Dulay film is about moral awakening under the structure of a deeply sentimental and fairly conventional prison break drama. Starring Dennis Trillo and Ruru Madrid in the lead roles, it is now streaming on Netflix.
Spoilers Ahead
Green Bones (2024) ‘Netflix’ Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:
“Green Bones” follows Xavier Gonzaga, who is determined to keep Domingo Zamora inside the prison. This 100-minute-long film from the Philippines was initially released on December 25, 2024.
What happens in ‘Green Bones’ on Netflix?
“Green Bones” opens with Xavier Gonzaga (Ruru Madrid), a young officer, being appointed as a police guard to work under the office of Juanito Velasquez (Michael de Mesa) and Jonathan Cruz (Wendell Ramos). Shortly after his arrival, Xavier learns about Domingo “Dom” Zamora (Dennis Trillo), a notorious criminal who has been convicted of killing his sister and her young daughter. The police reports point out the grisly details of the murders, which paint a grim picture in Xavier’s mind. He can’t fathom the fact that someone as heinous as Dom is hoping to get out of prison. He wonders how such a person would even want to flee and expect to be absolved of his sins.
Initially, it feels like Xavier is acting like any other young, idealistic person, who does not want justice to go unserved. He is someone who cares deeply for Dom’s victims, who couldn’t protect themselves from this man. However, there’s a deeper reason he despises this man, and it’s rooted in his past. As a young kid, Xavier had to see his older sister dying in the middle of the street because of a violent attack. Xavier carried her in his arms as she took her last breath. That trauma took a heavy toll on him and gave him a strong moral backbone. So, he can’t stay silent when someone faces injustice like Dom’s victims. Yet, he starts to realize that there’s more to Dom than what meets the eye as he spends more time as a guard.
What does Xavier learn about Dom?
Xavier is led to believe that Dom is a vile man who doesn’t deserve anything but contempt. He thinks Dom is out to get him and that Officer Cruz is helping him. That’s why he keeps a watch on Dom, wherever he goes in and around the prison. It leads him to find Dom exchanging a parcel with a woman. He wonders if that parcel contains something that can help him flee. So, he speaks with Officer Velasquez, who tells him to find substantial evidence to back up his case. During his subsequent vigil, he catches Dom outside and beats him to a pulp. He tracks the woman with whom Dom exchanges a parcel around the prison. It leads him to learn the truth about Dom’s situation.
Dom isn’t the murderer he is made out to be. Instead, he is being accused of crimes he did not commit. Years ago, he was a small-time crook who had been in and out of prison for some minor crimes. Eventually, he crossed paths with his sister Joanna (Iza Calzado) and her daughter Ruth (Sienna Stevens), who changed the way he looked at his life. They motivated him to be a better person whom they could depend on. He learned sign language so he could speak with Ruth. Eventually, her unconditional love kept him away from his criminal life. However, it all changed when, one day, he found Joanna dead in her house. Within moments, he found Ruth and rushed out with their friend, Betty (Alessandra De Rossi). However, the cops showed up there soon and arrested him.
Green Bones (2024) ‘Netflix’ Movie Ending Explained:
Why is Dom arrested for Joanna and Ruth’s murder?
The film implies that Joanna’s former partner, Carlos ‘Caloy’ Pineda (Victor Neri), is responsible for her gruesome death. Caloy sees Dom as a threat to his control over his family. That’s why he wants Dom to stay locked behind bars for Joanna and Ruth’s murder. However, unlike what the records suggest, Ruth (Sofia Pablo) is alive and is living with Betty. That’s why Betty shows up at the prison to help Dom, who is scared that he will be killed before he steps out of the prison. She is the woman Xavier believes to be Dom’s co-conspirator and tracks her home. That’s how he learns about Ruth and Dom’s heartbreaking history.
Since his arrest, Dom decided to stay silent and speak only in sign language so the prison staff wouldn’t learn what he was saying. During his first days in prison, he meets an officer who realizes that he has been wrongfully convicted and aims to protect him. Unfortunately, he dies shortly after, leaving Dom to fend for himself. Ultimately, Officer Cruz makes Dom’s life a living hell. Xavier assumes Cruz is working for Dom, but, in reality, he is against him. The film hints that Cruz is acting as per Caloy’s orders. So, Xavier starts trusting Velasquez more. That doesn’t do him any good either, since he is also a part of Caloy’s cruel plan.
Does Dom ever escape the prison?
Officer Velasquez works with Caloy to keep Dom inside the prison and is presumably connected to a hit ordered on Dom. Cruz is only a pawn in their game. For the most part, Velasquez behaves like a conscientious officer, but eventually shows his true colors. The ending of “Green Bones” shows Xavier helping Dom and other prisoners against Cruz. Yet, while Xavier survives, Dom doesn’t. By then, Xavier had realized that, despite Dom’s criminal past, he had changed and was hoping for a fresh start with his new family. That’s why Xavier embraces the good side of Dom as he pays his respects.
The title “Green Bones” refers to the belief that finding a green bone in someone’s remains shows their goodness in life. In line with this, Xavier says Dom’s remains had these bones in hundreds, meaning despite Dom’s criminal past, he was capable of doing good and being a better person.
