On the Job (abbreviated OTJ) is a 2013 Philippine neo-noir action thriller film written and directed by Erik Matti, who co-wrote the screenplay with Michiko Yamamoto. Starring Gerald Anderson, Joel Torre, Joey Marquez and Piolo Pascual, it tells the story of two hit-man prisoners (Anderson and Torre) who are temporarily freed to carry out political executions, and two law enforcers (Marquez and Pascual) tasked with investigating the drug-related murder case connected to the prison gun-for-hire business. The film co-stars Angel Aquino, Shaina Magdayao, Empress Schuck, Leo Martinez, Michael de Mesa, Vivian Velez, and Rayver Cruz.
The inspiration for On the Job came from a Viva Films crew member who said he had been temporarily released from prison to commit contract killings before he was reincarcerated. Star Cinema initially refused to produce the film in 2010, deeming it excessively violent compared with their usual rom-com projects; by 2012, however, they agreed to co-produce it with Matti’s own film production company, Reality Entertainment. Filming took place in Manila and lasted 33 days, on a production budget of ₱47 million (about US$1.1 million).
On the Job was shown as part of the Directors’ Fortnight at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, where it was praised and received a standing ovation on May 24. The film was released in the Philippines on August 28, 2013, and in the United States and Canada on September 27 of that year. It received positive reviews from foreign and domestic critics. In 2021 the film and its sequel On the Job: The Missing 8 were re-edited as a six-part HBO Asia miniseries titled On the Job.
Drama: On the Job
Native Title: On the Job
Also Known As: On the Job (miniseries)
Screenwriter & Director: Erik Matti
Genres: Action, Thriller, Political
Country: Philippines
Episodes: 6
Aired: Sep 12, 2021 – Oct 3, 2021
Duration: 45 min.
MAIN CAST:
Joel Torre,John Arcilla,Joey Marquez,Dennis Trillo,Piolo Pascual,Gerald Anderson
SNOPSIS:
On The Job is about the ambitions and passions of four men trying to make a living, for themselves and their families.
It shows the parallels between two prison inmates who are contract killers, and the two agents of the law investigating the murders.
As they get caught in a web of machination of corrupt government officials, their jobs lead them on a head-on collision against each other with their loved ones as collateral damage.
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