Some actors have built successful careers by consistently playing a specific type of character in almost every movie. Others, however, risk being typecast by relying too heavily on past achievements.

It's rare for actors to break out of their established roles, but Xian Lim is one of those few who dare to explore new territories.

In the upcoming suspense-thriller movie "Playtime," produced by GMA Pictures and Viva Films, Xian takes his role to the next level by portraying a sexual predator.

“Physically, I was bulking up for this. When they offered me the role, my character, sabi nga nila, Lucas, would be after the three girls. Sabi ko ah, maybe I should veer away from the parang boy next door, loving son, romantic lead image, and move into like a big guy, right? If I'm with three girls, they won't be able to get away from me. So, it was my conscious effort to gain muscle mass for this. Mentally, it's just getting into the mindset that you're playing a psychopath. So, it's a bit hard, but kinaya naman,” Xian said.

Xian also expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to take on a unique and unconventional role and felt truly blessed.

"I feel grateful and blessed na mabigyan ako ng pagkakataon to portray something out of the box. I would say daring. The project was offered sa kasagsagan ng taping ng Love.Die.Repeat. 

"Sabi ko please count me in. Iba pa yung title noong mga panahon na yun. Sabi ko ikuwento n'yo na lang sa akin mamaya at game na ako diyan. That's how fast yung proseso ng pag-uusapan namin," the actor said.

In his latest movie, which opens on June 12, Xian embraced the challenge of transitioning from his boy-next-door image to embodying a darker character.

"A couple of days ago, magkakasama kami nila Sanya (Lopez),  Coleen (Garcia), and Faye (Lorenzo), and we discussed characters in the movie. A huge part of the movie is may tiwala kami sa isa't isa. Mahirap talaga to be in a situation na you have to believe ito ang nangyayari especially with the direction of Mark Reyes V. Sabi nga namin eh, 'Direk, ano ba ang gagawin namin dito?' In every scene tumutulong naman palagi si direk. Tiwala lang talaga sa isa't isa, the actor said.

“Playtime” revolves around three women from three different worlds in the same situation involving a man they all mistakenly trust.

Vlogger-influencer Allyson (Sanya) entertains a seemingly harmless fan but soon finds out how dangerous he is.

Bride-to-be Roni (Coleen) wants one last adventure before she settles down. She decides to hook up with a stranger in a bar.

Meanwhile, Patricia (Faye) only wants to get away from her abusive ex. She naively trusts a stranger she sees as a ‘hero’ who rescues her from her boyfriend.

Three women, three strangers of different personalities, and three lives intertwine as Allyson, Roni, and Patricia get entangled with the same man: Lucas (Xian).

Lucas wants to play, but his idea of playing games is far from what these women imagined.

Sanya said the film shows a different side of her and her co-actors that moviegoers can look forward to.

“Marami kaming ginawa dito na lahat kami first time naming gawin. It's one of those suspense thrillers na kakaiba sa the usual na napapanood ninyo. Mayroon ako ditong ginawa na first time n’yong makikita.

“Kaming tatlo kasi iba-iba ang character namin at iba-iba rin ang kuwento namin dito. Kaya sana abangan n’yo kasi exciting, sobrang suspense. Sana maramdaman ninyo kung gano kami hiningal at nahirapan sa kuwento,” Sanya added.

Viva artist Coleen likewise expressed her excitement at being part of this latest film from GMA Pictures and Viva Films. “All the characters are really interesting. It's very thrilling, it's very suspenseful. You wouldn't be able to guess what will happen,” shared Coleen. “‘I think, [for] all of us – the artists in this movie – it's new for us, everything we did [was new].”

Faye ensured she was physically and mentally prepared for her role as Patricia.

“Syempre, unang-una, workout. Kasi medyo may pa-skin kami dito eh. And syempre, inaral ko ‘yung character. Unang-una binasa ko ‘yung script, and then inaral ko ‘yung character,” she said.

“Playtime” also serves as a homecoming for Direk Mark, who began his directorial career in Viva through anthologies and the hit ‘90s youth-oriented series, “T.G.I.S.,” which aired on GMA. From his numerous TV projects such as the hit “Encantadia” franchise, “The Missing Husband,” and “Voltes V: Legacy,” Direk Mark is also known for his directorial work in various films such as “Moments of Love,” “Eternity,” “Till I Met You,” and “Voltes V: Legacy (The Cinematic Experience),” among others.

The cast includes Bruce Roeland, Haley Dizon, Kim Perez, Lienel Navidad, and Camille Patricia Guzman.

Protection vs. sexual predators

The stars voiced their opinions on safeguarding themselves from sexual predators and navigating potential close encounters.

Coleen said: "I guess it's a case-to-case basis for everybody on how they should protect themselves from sexual predators. It does happen, and most of the time, it occurs when dealing with strangers. Kailangan magsabi ka sa taong makakatulong sa'yo if someone crosses your boundaries. 

"Hindi ko pa talaga yan na experience. Pero may mga kilala ako na naka-experience na at nakakatakot talaga. Not just now. Kahit noon nakakatakot talaga. So it's important to watch yourself. Halimbawa lalabas ka at iinom ka, make sure you are with people who are safe with. Ako kasi when I was still dating, hindi talaga ako agad nakikipag-date agad. Yung kaming dalawa lang? 

"Normally I invite my friends to be with us. So maganda na mag-start tayo ng ganun hanggang magbuild yug trust. It's hard to be alone na wala kang tiwala sa kanya. Don't put yourself in a compromising situation," Coleen said.

Sanya commented: "Iba na talaga ang generation ngayon. Pero ang maganda is nagiging aware na tayo sa mga ganyang klaseng situation. I think everytime na lalabas kami, meron ka dapat isang tao na laging sinasabihan kung saan ka pupunta. 

"Siya rin yung taong malalapitan mo at alam kung nasaan ka. Minsan kasi gusto natin tayo-tayo lang pero sana unahin muna natin yung kaligtasan natin. Masarap maging masaya pero mas masaya at importante yung alam natin na buhay pa tayo," she said.

Faye added: "Siguro huwag mong ibibigay ang 100 percent mo. Share ko lang noong nag abroad ako sa Europe, may nagsabi na sa akin na hindi safe ang place na yun. So merong mga guy na lumalapit sa akin. Alam mo ang una kong ginawa, papalapit pa lang yun guy, yung bag niyayakap ko na talaga. Baka kasi makikipagkilala lang sa akin tapos biglang hablutin pala yung bag ko. So kailangan mo talagang mag-ingat."

Xian said: "Isang lesson na mapupulot sa movie na ito is tulad nga ng sinabi ni Coleen, do not put yourself in a compromising situation. Ako po laki ako sa lola at nanay, so ang mga sensibilities ko is parang mga 80s pa. Nowadays ang dami-dami talagang nangyayari so think twice and be extra safe. Huwag sanang maniwala basta-basta sa mga online things because it's easy to make up things online."

Catch “Playtime” in cinemas nationwide beginning June 12.