Written and directed by Benedict Mique, “Lolo and the Kid” (2024) is a Filipino comedy-drama film now streaming on Netflix. It follows an old hustler who often uses his young child to con wealthy people to make a living. One day, after a surprising encounter, he faces a predicament that decides the fate of their relationship. He makes a decision that shapes their lives in new ways. Starring Joel Torre as Lolo and Euwenn Mikael Aleta as the child, the film also stars Iza Calzado, Meryll Soriano, Joem Bascon, Nico Antonio, Markki Stroem, Shaina Magdayao, and Alfred Vargas.
Spoilers Ahead
Lolo and the Kid (2024) Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis
“Lolo and the Kid” on Netflix follows a hustler who uses a young child to con wealthy people to earn money. However, after a life-changing opportunity, he makes a decision that changes their lives forever.
What is ‘Lolo and the Kid’ on Netflix about?
“Lolo and the Kid” on Netflix revolves around an old man, Lolo (Joel Torre), and his grandson, Kid (Euwenn Mikael Aleta). The film begins with them sleeping on the footpath next to a gated bungalow in a respectable neighborhood. At night, the woman from the bungalow sees the duo and feels terrible for them. Out of sympathy, she offers them help. She and her husband could not conceive a child of their own. So, she requests Lolo to let them adopt Kid. They also offer to take care of his expenses and allow him to meet Kid whenever he wants. With a heavy heart, Lolo agrees.
Later at night, Kid sneaks out of the wealthy couple’s bungalow with some of their belongings. He walks out of the gate and reunites with Lolo. That’s when the film reveals Lolo and the Kid’s con: they routinely trick people into similar deals. Since good-hearted people sympathize with them, Lolo takes advantage of their feelings. With Kid, he has continued this con for a while. Kid has also become well experienced in this crime. After they steal these things, they go to their usual pawn shop to sell the stolen stuff and get cash for a short time. It allows them to live at a motel and enjoy things they might not otherwise.
Lolo’s Change of Heart
After conning the childless, vulnerable couple, Kid expects some more treats. Lolo stops him from expecting more since they do not have enough money. So, Kid tells him to look for another customer to get money. Lolo feels offended as he calls these people their customers. But he cannot help but admit that their actions are not moral. Eventually, Lolo learns about a single, wealthy woman’s house. He realizes she is charitable. He stages the same drama he did before with Kid. Together, they trick her into allowing them in. She makes Kid a sandwich and learns that he doesn’t go to any school.
The lady offers to take care of Kid’s school education. She reveals that she is also an orphan. If not for her adopted parents, who offered her a good education, she wouldn’t have all her current luxuries. Lolo pretends to be thankful for her help. But he feels guilty of looting someone like her. Regardless, at night, he steals some stuff from her house and sneaks out. The lady notices Lolo running away, and he also notices her. But she doesn’t stop him or call the authorities on him. After both of them leave with money, a newfound appreciation for learning begins to blossom in Kid.
Kid’s Education
Kid asks Lolo to teach him how to read. Lolo cannot teach since he is, unfortunately, illiterate. But he doesn’t reveal that to Kid. While they are at a park, Lolo loses Kid. Soon after, he finds him next to a school, looking at other children coming out with their parents. Lolo senses Kid wanting to get educated. Later, the duo tricks a gay couple into the same con. The couple agrees to pay any amount Lolo needs to settle down. At night, when Lolo and Kid run out, the couple notices them and follows them. While running away, Kid bumps into a car and needs to be hospitalized.
Lolo and the Kid (2024) Movie Ending Explained:
What is the fate of Lolo and the Kid’s relationship?
After Kid’s accident, Lolo feels guilty for using him for his cons. The gay couple tells him that he must leave and they will take care of Kid. However, Kid runs out of the hospital and reunites with Lolo. Lolo realizes the strong bond he has formed with Kid over the years. He takes Kid to a beach for a getaway. There, he claims he once worked as an extra on movie sets. But the director and the producer threw him out due to some nuisance. Through a flashback, we learn that Lolo is not Kid’s actual grandfather. One night, everyone in Lolo’s life abandoned him. So, he got drunk and decided to kill himself. At that moment, he heard a baby’s cry.
Someone had abandoned a baby. So, Lolo took him under his wings and raised him. At the end of “Lolo and the Kid,” Lolo realizes that he should not stop Kid from having a good life for himself. He takes Kid to a wealthy couple’s house. They reveal a tragic story about their prior child and are eager to adopt Kid. Lolo agrees to let them adopt Kid. Later that night, Kid runs out with the couple’s belongings. But this time, Lolo doesn’t agree to run away with Kid. So, Kid grows up with this wealthy couple and has a respectable upbringing. In his twenties, he learns about Lolo being in a hospital. He reunites with Lolo and rekindles their memories.
Lolo and the Kid (2024) Movie Review:
“Lolo and the Kid” is a tearjerker with a capital T thorough and thorough. It revolves around a man using his grandson out of helplessness. He uses the kid for their survival and seeks solace in the kid’s company. Their relationship isn’t entirely transactional. However, Lolo begins to realize how a big part of their bond is transactional. It comes at the cost of the child’s better development that someone else can likely provide. However, Lolo struggles to make peace with their impending detachment.
The film explores themes of a formed family, unwanted sects of society, parenting, and survival in today’s age. It shows Lolo’s struggle to let go of his emotional needs and put Kid’s hopes before his. With all these elements, it turns into a predictable tearjerker with many cliches. The film relies heavily on sentimentality and the apparent cuteness of its central relationship. Although a well-meaning drama about the need to connect with other humans, it is incredibly forgettable.
Read More: Everything Coming to Netflix in August 2024
Lolo and the Kid (2024) Movie Trailer:
Lolo and the Kid (2024) Movie Links: IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Letterboxd
The Cast of Lolo and the Kid (2024) Movie: Euwenn Mikael Aleta, Joel Torre, Iza Calzado, Meryll Soriano, Joem Bascon, Nico Antonio, Markki Stroem, Shaina Magdayao, Alfred Vargas
Lolo and the Kid (2024) Movie Release Date: 7th August 2024 | Genre: Drama | Runtime: 1h 37 mins
