Green Bones is a 2024 Philippine prison drama film directed by Zig Dulay and written by Ricky Lee and Anj Atienza from a story concept by JC Rubio. Starring Dennis Trillo and Ruru Madrid, the story follows Xavier Gonzaga, a police officer who is grieving his sister's death, while fighting against the release of the criminal named Domingo Zamora.
Produced by GMA Pictures, GMA Public Affairs, and Brightburn Entertainment, with Sony Pictures Releasing as distributor, the film was released theatrically on December 25, 2024, as one of the official entries to the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival.
Contents
Synopsis
Domingo, a notorious criminal is set to be released from prison. Xavier, a newly assigned prison guard, being blinded by his own prejudice and beliefs, is determined to keep Domingo incarcerated despite a lack of legal grounds. Domingo's reserved demeanor feeds on Xavier growing suspicions, forcing him to uncover the prisoner's background story which leads him to discover the broken criminal justice system, personal vendetta and redemption.
Cast
Dennis Trillo as Domingo "Dom" Zamora, a criminal accused of murdering his own sister and niece.
Ruru Madrid as Xavier Gonzaga, a prison guard.
Enzo Osorio as young Xavier
Alessandra De Rossi as Betty
Michael de Mesa as Juanito Velasquez
Ronnie Lazaro as Edgardo Sevilla
Sofia Pablo as Ruth Pineda
Sienna Stevens as young Ruth
Wendell Ramos as Jonathan Cruz
Pauline Mendoza as Elise Gonzaga, Xavier's sister
Victor Neri as Carlos Pineda
Kylie Padilla as Lisa
Mikoy Morales as Minyong
Royce Cabrera as Luis
Ruby Ruiz as Mi
Gerard Acao as Pol
Raul Morit as Ador
Iza Calzado as Joanna "Jo" Zamora-Pineda, Ruth's mother and Dom's sister
Nonie Buencamino as Jorge Delos Santos
Production
On July 15, 2024, GMA Pictures released an official teaser poster for the movie, which is an entry to the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival. The film is entitled, Green Bones directed by Zig Dulay, who previously directed the film Firefly that won the Best Picture award in the previous year. Green Bones is one of the first five movie entries for the film festival.
Filming concluded on November 20, 2024.
Music
The 2022 song "Nyebe" by Filipino boy band SB19 was used as the theme for Green Bones.
Release
Green Bones was released in cinemas on December 25, 2024, at the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival. This is the first film to be released under GMA Pictures' distribution deal with American film company Columbia Pictures (through the Sony Pictures Releasing International label). The film was cited by the MMFF as one of the three top-grossing entries for its 2024 edition.
The film was screened at the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) in Los Angeles on March 6, 2025.
In August 2025, Film Development Council of the Philippines announced Green Bones as one of the preselected contenders for the Best International Feature Film category to the Academy Awards in 2026. It lost to Director Lav Diaz's movie Magellan which was chosen as the official entry to the Oscar awards in September 2025.