[2][3] It is a reversal of a coming out story, where the protagonist Dali is an effeminate heterosexual man who reveals that he is straight, to the shock and dismay of the people around him.

He lives happily with his parents Jaime and Gemma, who are in a platonic marriage, and his adoptive siblings, most of whom are openly gay or trans.

Angel, Dali, and both of their families dance to the song "Kapag Tumibok Ang Puso" by Donna Cruz.

[7] According to the openly queer director Intalan, the idea for the film first came about when he discussed "unusual" love stories with his IdeaFirst co-founder and former husband, Jun Lana.

He says that other people were puzzled when he courted her, especially because everyone, including the girl, was aware that his entire social circle was openly queer.

[2] One of the ways that the film evokes nostalgia for those decades is by heavily using the 1990 pop song "Kapag Tumibok Ang Puso" by Donna Cruz.

Cruz, who was in a love team with Keempee de Leon during the era, congratulated him and said that her song was perfect for the film.

De Leon has expressed his delight in hearing the song again after many years, in a film wherein he is a cast member.

Mario Bautista of Journal News Online praised Tabada's "original and well paced screenplay that never lags."

[12] In a review for NYAFF, Leon Overee of Asian Movie Pulse praised Carmela Danao and Emilio Medrano's "brilliant" set design, describing Beksman as a "candy land" that "glitters with pure energy."

"[27] In a separate review for FFi, Marina Richter of Asian Movie Pulse called Beksman a "strange film with an awkwardly plotted love story."

[21] Like Overee, Wally Adams of Eastern Kicks made note of the film's "rainbow-hued" set design.

"[28] Basil Baradaran (The Asian Cinema Critic) wrote that Beksman "toes the lines between tiresome and charming, never really landing in one particular spot."

[31] Rich Cline (Shadows on the Wall) gave the film 4 stars out of 5, comparing it to the French classic La Cage aux Folles.

He called Bables "hugely charming" as Dali and praised the cast for "each[…] find[ing] an engaging spark of personality to bring their characters to vivid life.