Where can I watch Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives in the Philippines?

Streaming or rental options in the Philippines are not yet listed in TMDB/JustWatch data as of 24 October 2026. Check local platforms periodically, as availability can change.

Who is in the cast of Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives?

Thanapat Saisaymar plays Boonmee. He is joined by Jenjira Pongpas as Jen, Sakda Kaewbuadee as Tong, Natthakarn Aphaiwonk as Huay, Geerasak Kulhong as Boonsong and Wallapa Mongkolprasert as Princess.

What is the plot of Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives?

A man with failing kidneys gathers his relatives in the Thai countryside as he prepares for death. There he recalls what he believes were his past lives and plans a final journey to a special place.

How long is Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives?

The film runs 114 minutes. It is mainly in Thai, with Lao and French also spoken.

Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (2010)

Plot: What Is Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives About?

Boonmee (Thanapat Saisaymar) is a man whose kidneys are failing, and he has accepted that his time is short. Rather than spend his final days alone, he calls his relatives to join him in the Thai countryside, far from city life. Among the people around him are Jen (Jenjira Pongpas) and Tong (Sakda Kaewbuadee), with other figures such as Huay and Boonsong also entering his story.

As his illness progresses, Boonmee begins to reflect on lives he believes he lived before this one. These memories are not treated as a simple flashback device. They form part of a broader meditation on reincarnation, Buddhist belief and the animist sense that spirits and nature share the same world as the living. Boonmee also has one more journey in mind: a particular place he wants to reach before he dies.

The film unfolds at a gentle, contemplative pace, blending everyday moments such as meals, rest and conversation with the strange and the supernatural. It is a quiet portrait of a dying man looking back across time.

Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives — Mood illustration, not a still from the film — Mood illustration, not a still from the film

Why the Film Is Notable: Director, Cast and Context

Director and writer: The film is written and directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul, one of Thailand’s most internationally recognised filmmakers. He is known for dreamlike, unhurried cinema rooted in rural Thai life.
Cast: The ensemble includes Thanapat Saisaymar as Boonmee, Jenjira Pongpas as Jen and Sakda Kaewbuadee as Tong. They are joined by Natthakarn Aphaiwonk (Huay), Geerasak Kulhong (Boonsong), Wallapa Mongkolprasert (Princess), Kanokporn Tongaram (Roong) and Samud Kugasang (Jaai).
Genre: The film is a drama with fantasy elements. Its themes include Buddhism, reincarnation, animism and mortality, and it also touches on LGBT themes.
Origin: Its original title is ลุงบุญมีระลึกชาติ. It is a Thai film co-produced with partners from the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, France and the United States.
Production companies: Backers include Kick the Machine, Illuminations Films, Anna Sanders Films, The Match Factory, ZDF/Arte, Louverture Films and the Hubert Bals Fund.
Languages: Characters speak Thai, Lao and French.
Runtime: The film runs 114 minutes.

Is It Worth Watching? A Quick Review Guide

This page doesn’t offer a personal review. You can check the Drama4U Score shown on this page for an overall picture. For viewers deciding whether to watch, it helps to know what kind of film this is. It is slow and meditative arthouse cinema rather than a plot-driven fantasy. It rewards patience and an interest in spiritual and cultural themes.

Who Will Enjoy It

Fans of Southeast Asian arthouse and festival cinema
Viewers drawn to stories about reincarnation, Buddhism and folk belief
Anyone who enjoys slow, atmospheric films that blend the everyday with the supernatural
Film students and cinephiles exploring the work of Apichatpong Weerasethakul
Those interested in quiet, reflective stories about family and mortality

Release Date in the Philippines and Where to Watch

The film first premiered internationally on 25 June 2010. In the Philippines, it was screened on 17 November 2011 at the Cinemanila International Film Festival.

As for watching it today, Philippine streaming or rental options are not yet listed in TMDB/JustWatch data as of 24 October 2026. Availability can change, so it’s worth checking local streaming services and film-society or cinematheque programmes from time to time. An official trailer is available and offers a good preview of the film’s tone before you commit.

Trailer

Cast

Thanapat Saisaymaras Boonmee
Jenjira Pongpasas Jen
Sakda Kaewbuadeeas Tong
Natthakarn Aphaiwonkas Huay
Geerasak Kulhongas Boonsong
Wallapa Mongkolprasertas Princess
Kanokporn Tongaramas Roong
Samud Kugasangas Jaai

Photo: TMDB

FAQ

When was Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives released in the Philippines?: It was screened in the Philippines on 17 November 2011 at the Cinemanila International Film Festival. The film's world release date is 25 June 2010.
Where can I watch Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives in the Philippines?: Streaming or rental options in the Philippines are not yet listed in TMDB/JustWatch data as of 24 October 2026. Check local platforms periodically, as availability can change.
Who is in the cast of Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives?: Thanapat Saisaymar plays Boonmee. He is joined by Jenjira Pongpas as Jen, Sakda Kaewbuadee as Tong, Natthakarn Aphaiwonk as Huay, Geerasak Kulhong as Boonsong and Wallapa Mongkolprasert as Princess.
What is the plot of Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives?: A man with failing kidneys gathers his relatives in the Thai countryside as he prepares for death. There he recalls what he believes were his past lives and plans a final journey to a special place.
How long is Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives?: The film runs 114 minutes. It is mainly in Thai, with Lao and French also spoken.

Sources

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