Cain & Abel is a gripping drama that explores the themes of family, faith, betrayal, and redemption. Set in a rural town in the Philippines, the story follows the lives of two brothers - Loren (played by John Lloyd Cruz) and Ellis (played by Sid Lucero) - who have vastly different personalities and priorities.
Loren is the older of the two brothers and is known for his kindness, humility, and hard work. He is deeply religious and takes his role as a father and provider very seriously. In contrast, Ellis is a spoiled and selfish young man who cares only about his own pleasures and desires. He has no interest in taking on any responsibilities and relies on his mother's doting attention to get what he wants.
The movie moves forward in time, with Loren building a successful family and farmstead while Ellis's character is revealed to be that of a cowardly and shifty personality. The situation builds to a climax when Señora Pina, the boys' mother, dies and Ellis plots to take over Loren's landholdings. The resulting war between the brothers sees a challenge to Filipinos' very ideals: those of family loyalties, righteousness over wrongdoings, and a sort of "Old Philippines" reinstitutionalized with acts of brutal violence.
The film is gorgeously shot and acted, with stunning shots of the countryside and heart-wrenching performances by Cruz and Lucero. It raises some thought-provoking questions about the nature of sibling rivalry, the consequences of favoritism, and the power of forgiveness in overcoming even the deepest divides.