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On the Job

Name: On the Job
Director: Erik Matti
Released: 2013
Duration: 119 min

Representation Score

5.6/10

Fair

2013

Not Rated

Director

Erik Matti

Runtime

119 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

On the Job is a gritty neo-noir that prioritizes a localized critique over broad demographic representation. Its strength lies in its cultural authenticity and its rejection of Western institutional narratives. However, the film is heavily focused on a traditional masculine framework. Women and LGBTQ+ individuals are underrepresented, limiting its diversity. Ultimately, the film prioritizes a deep exploration of corruption within a specific national context over a wide range of demographic representation.

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Category Breakdown

Does On the Job have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film focuses on a male-centric criminal and investigative landscape. There is no visible representation of non-straight identities or same-sex relationships among the main characters.

How does On the Job portray gender?

Limited

Male characters play central roles as hitmen and investigators. Female characters are mostly seen in supporting or domestic roles, often suffering collateral damage.

How racially and ethnically diverse is On the Job?

Good

As a Filipino production, the film centers on the lives of Filipinos. It avoids Western norms by focusing on local socio-political issues.

How does On the Job represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film critiques institutions, showing government and law enforcement as predatory. It highlights moral relativism and the fight against corrupt political structures.

Does On the Job include disability representation?

Limited

Characters with visible or invisible disabilities are not given central roles. The focus is on physical strength and mental toughness.

Present on Screen

Provides a meaningful departure from Hollywood-centric perspectives by centering Filipino identities.
Offers a sophisticated critique of corrupt political hierarchies and systemic oppression.
Avoids traditional hero narratives in favor of complex, situational ethics.

Limited or Absent

Lacks visible LGBTQ+ representation or non-straight identities within the core narrative.
Relies on a male-dominated structure where female characters lack a significant role in driving the story.
Provides no meaningful representation or narrative focus regarding characters with disabilities.

Official Synopsis

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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