The Harsh Reality: A Socio-Political and Formalist Analysis of On the Job: The Missing 8 (2021)
- lightningszenith
- Mar 25
- 4 min read
By: Arciel John Magnaye
Introduction
The 2021 film On the Job: The Missing 8, directed by Erik Matti sheds light on the harsh truth, uncovering the overlap of media control, government corruption, and unlawful executions.
Journalism is labeled as the freedom of expression in many parts of the world, yet in the Philippines, it often becomes a dangerous profession. The country was regarded as one of the most dangerous places for journalists with a lot of media workers falling victim to politically motivated violence (BBC,2019).
The film follows Sisoy Salas, also called Manoy, a journalist who respectfully aligns with the government at first but is forced to face its brutality due to the mysterious disappearance of his colleagues. Concurrently, there's a prisoner named Roman Rubio, who is assigned to carry out assassinations for corrupt government officials. The story is not just mere fiction, it is based on real-life scenarios such as the Maguindanao Massacre (CNN,2019) and the resumed targeting of media personnel. Through its intensely crafted portrayal, brutal cinematography, and fearless analysis of systemic corruption, On the Job: The Missing 8 acts as a strong critique regarding the condition of press freedom and political accountability in the Philippines. The paper critiques the cinematography and socio-politically analyzes the film's depiction of media suppression and political corruption, judging how its narration reflects the harsh realities of Philippine society.
Body
The film’s depiction of political corruption is accurate. The film also illustrates how politicians manipulate the
justice system, use prisoners as hitmen, and control media narratives, a reality that is not merely fiction but well-documented in Philippine history. Statements surfaced that state officials orchestrated assassinations using prison inmates, a practice indefinitely similar to Roman’s role in the film (Philstar, 2024). Furthermore, Duterte’s war on drugs has been linked to thousands of extrajudicial killings, reinforcing the film’s depiction of unchecked state violence. The film challenges the viewers to consider who holds power accountable when crime becomes institutionalized. The disturbing truth the movie presents is that without resistance, corruption thrives in plain sight.
Sisoy’s transformation from a government-aligned journalist to a truth-seeker reflects the real-life struggles of
Filipino reporters. Many journalists in the Philippines face lawsuits, harassment, or worse, assassination, when exposing corruption (BBC, 2019). The PressOne.PH (2021) report marks how corruption within the media compromises press freedom, forcing journalists into a dangerous moral dilemma, to conform or resist. The film blurs the line between journalism and propaganda, exposing how the media can be weaponized by those in power. Sisoy’s journey defines the role of journalism in an oppressive regime and marks the struggle to uphold the truth when the system itself dictates the narrative. The truth may exist, but it rarely comes without consequences.
Beyond its political themes, the film delves into the psychological cost of living in a corrupt society. Sisoy Salas
represents the disillusionment of those who once trusted the system, only to realize it is beyond redemption. Roman Rubio symbolizes those trapped in violence, where survival means sacrificing one’s conscience. The film’s bleak but realistic message is clear: Corruption does not only destroy governments, it destroys people.
Critical Analysis
Erik Matti’s On the Job: The Missing 8 is a powerful socio-political thriller that exposes media suppression, deep-
seated corruption, and political violence in the Philippines. Through brutal realism, morally complex characters, and impressive cinematography, the film forces the viewers to confront the grieving realities of a system designed to silence dissent and uphold impunity.
One of the film’s most noticeable elements is its dual narrative structure, which follows Sisoy Salas, a journalist
fighting with the truth, and Roman Rubio, a prisoner who is forced into contract killings. The parallel storytelling effectively highlights the different perspectives when individuals become victims or enforcers of systemic corruption. Sisoy’s moral transformation from a government mouthpiece to a truth-seeker reflects the real-life dangers faced by Filipino journalists (BBC, 2019), while Roman’s tragic story reflects how state institutions manipulate and exploit powerless people (Philstar, 2024).
Erik Matti’s use of claustrophobic, dark cinematography and documentary-styled realism heightens the film’s
grieving atmosphere, making the violence feel disturbingly real. The film symbolizes prison as both a literal and metaphorical representation of entrapment and reinforces the idea that corruption imprisons not only individuals but the society itself. Esquire (2021) praises its intense action and raw dialogue, which enhance its social critique without idealizing crime or sensationalizing violence.
More than just a mere crime drama, On the Job: The Missing 8 acts as a wake-up call about the dangers of
unchecked power, the crumbling state of press freedom, and the moral cost of silence. It demands accountability and urges audiences to question the narratives presented by those in control, making it one of the most relevant and politically charged Filipino films in recent years. The film reinforces this urgency through a raw depiction of corruption reflecting the struggles faced by marginalized communities that remain speechless in a flawed justice system. The intriguing themes leave a lasting impact, urging society to recognize the consequences of apathy. By shedding light on these realities, the film challenges viewers to seek truth and demand reform.
Conclusion
On the Job: The Missing 8 is beyond just a crime thriller, it is a bold, unfiltered judgment of a nation’s rotten
institutions. By exposing the harsh realities of government corruption, media suppression, and political violence, the film forces viewers to align with the disturbing truth that power often operates without consequences. In a country where journalists are murdered, where the law is a tool for the wealthy and powerful, and where justice is often denied especially for those who are marginalized, this film is not just relevant, it is necessary. It serves as both a warning and a call to action.
REFERENCES LIST
BBC News (2019). Maguindanao: Philippine family clan members guilty of massacre.
Jorgio, J. & Griffiths, J. (2019). Planners of Maguindanao massacre found guilty of murder in Philippines ‘trial of the decade’. CNN.
Mogato, M. (2021). Corruption in Media.
Porcalla, D. & Romero, A. (2024). Duterte ordered killing of drug inmates, hitmen claim. The Philippine Star.
Yonzon, H.Z. (2021). On The Job: The Missing 8 is the truth that Filipinos live.
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