In a curated social media era, series unveils the ‘Fractured’ souls underneath

According to its writers John Paul Bedia and Lawrence Nicodemus, this mystery thriller hopes to reinforce to audiences how underneath the veneer of perfection that social media bombards us with are flaws, faults, and failures that make fractured beings out of each one of us.

“The concept is very now. We can all relate to this…you’ll see yourself in the characters, because influencers or not, we are mostly dependent on social media,” said Nicodemus during the series’ grand media conference. “Viewers will see the side effects, good or bad, of social media in our lives.”

In “Fractured”, young influencers get invited to the paradise remote island resort of Bella Vista. Despite their clashing personalities and hidden agendas, these clout-chasers’ desire to gain more online fame heightens as they compete in creating the best content that will go viral on social media.

What was supposed to be an idyllic escapade spirals into tragedy when they become the target of an unknown killer. Life-changing mysteries will slowly unravel, leaving all of them hanging on for dear life.

Director Thop Nazareno said that the show’s theme is necessary in this era of over-reliance on social media. “Our everyday lives involve social media every now and then. The main idea of the series is to be responsible users of social media. Know that with every post and like, someone gets affected,” he said.

“Whether positive or negative, intentional or not, there are those who compare themselves to our posts,” added Nazareno. “There are also those who feel inspired. ‘Fractured’ will show the positive and negative sides of social media, and how it unknowingly affects all of us.”

The location shoot posed a challenge for cast and crew as the Zambales island they were in for a good week had limited resources, including the absence of cellphone service.

“Logistics was a big factor. With that in mind, before going to the location, I had one-on-one sessions with each one of them where we talked about their characters,” Nazareno said. “I asked for their takes based on what they read. So that when we arrived on set, they’re ready. Kesa naman magsigawan kami doon na nasa gitna kami ng kawalan.”

Shot for 10 days during the summer season, production had to contend with the searing heat, plus with the 2023 Balikatan Exercise (joint military exercises between the US and the Philippines) happening at the same period in Zambales, ferrying to and from the island was prohibited.

“Kasagsagan ng init tsaka sumabay pa yung Balikatan Exercises so walang maka-byaheng bangka,” Nazareno further shared. “Kaya parang sinabuhay namin yung characters kasi kahit ultimo yelo pinag-aagawan namin kasi konti yung supply.”

Diaz and Fedelin – both coming off the well-received primetime series “Dirty Linen” – said that work requires them to have an active social media presence. Otherwise, they feel they can function without one.

Positive posts only

“Nagka-cellphone lang naman ako Grade 9, so if the world will re-set, kaya ko na wala,” said Fedelin.

As a celebrity that wields influence among his fans, the 21-year-old actor said it’s his responsibility to showcase the positive.

“As an influencer, ang pinapakita ko yung maganda lang. Pero tao lang ako, meron akong kapintasan at mga pagkakamali na hindi ko pwede ipakita because young people look up to me, na kapag nalaman nila makakaapekto sa kanila,” he said when the discussion turned to brandishing only the good and glamorous online.

For Diaz, she chooses to post only the pleasant because “there’s already so much negativity in our surroundings. I just want to be one of those who provide light to others. I’m not perfect. I just don’t share it on social media because I believe topics like that are personal and we shouldn’t involve others. Kaya ang madalas nakikita sa social media ko ay positive lang.”

She added, “With social media, sobrang bilis mag-judge sa pagkatao, sa hitsura, sa buong buhay. I hope the series can help others realize that it’s better to spread kindness.”

“What you see of us in social media isn’t 100 percent real. I admit I have online pictures where I look happy, when in fact I was going through something that time, or tired. It’s not a bad thing though because ayaw ko naman mag-hatak ng ibang tao na ma-attract nila yung negativity sa puso ko.”

A far cry from previous roles, Diaz and Fedelin are heard cursing and screaming at one another in “Fractured.”

“At first, kinabahan kami. We were asking, pwede ba ito? Pwede na ba tayo sa ganito?” 19-year-old Diaz said. “Kasi may pagka-mature na siya para sa amin. At the same time, we were excited because it served as a guide for our growth as actors. We’re always ready for challenges.”

“Fractured” also features Kaori Oinuma, Jeremiah Lisbo, Daniela Stranner, Raven Rigor, Sean Tristan, Jennica Garcia, Mylene Dizon, Kim Rodriguez, KaladKaren, Mary Joy Apostol, Vaughn Piczon, and Krystal Mejes.

The series is now streaming for free on the iWantTFC app and website (iwanttfc.com), and on iWantTFC’s YouTube channel, with new episodes dropping every Friday at 8 pm.