On The Job centers around crime syndicates that temporarily release contracted prison inmates to carry out political assassinations for those in power, except that the crime syndicates are run by politicians.[2]
While The Missing 8 was initially planned to have an official theatrical release both domestically and internationally, continuous closures of movie theaters across the Philippines at that time amidst the COVID-19 pandemic has placed the film's distribution process in limbo. Director Erik Matti once said that he and his crew did consider splitting the film in two parts during post-production to reduce pacing issues and to ease local audiences' viewing experience once movie theaters in the Philippines re-open during the pandemic.[3] He also stated that they have the option of turning the film into a four-episode series and selling it to television distributors or streaming services should the film fail to secure a theatrical release.[3]
In August 2021, WarnerMedia Asia acquired the distribution rights to the sequel and the first film. Matti was then commissioned to re-edit the films into a six-part HBO Asia original miniseries; with this, he was able to recycle all unused and deleted scenes from the first film, creating a director's cut, which will be released as the first two episodes on its Asian subsidiary streaming service HBO Go.[4][5]
Release
On the Job was released as HBO Asia original miniseries on its streaming service HBO Go. The first three episodes were released on September 12, 2021, with subsequent episodes released in Sundays till October 3, 2021.[6]
Story by : Erik Matti Teleplay by : Michiko Yamamoto & Erik Matti
September 12, 2021 (2021-09-12)
Prisoners Tatang and his protege Daniel are temporarily released from jail to carry out a series of assassinations for a powerful politician. Veteran cop Joaquin gets on the case, but his efforts are thwarted when young hotshot detective Francis steps in. The bickering law enforcers pick up the assassins’ trail and attempt to intercept them at their next target.[7]
2
"Acosta"
Erik Matti
Story by : Erik Matti Teleplay by : Michiko Yamamoto & Erik Matti
September 12, 2021 (2021-09-12)
As the hunt for the assassins continues, Joaquin stands firm on his duties as a cop while Francis faces immense pressure from his politician father-in-law and his powerful ally General Pacheco. Tatang reflects on the possibility of rebuilding his family and having a future outside the prison while Daniel, having gained the trust of their employers, starts getting his own missions.
3
"Arnel"
Erik Matti
Michiko Yamamoto
September 12, 2021 (2021-09-12)
Evidence about the conspiracy makes it all the way to the town of La Paz, where publisher Arnel Pangan’s newspaper is beleaguered because of his political beliefs, to the dismay of his editor, seasoned journalist, and staunch government supporter Sisoy Salas. The harassment soon escalates into a bloody incident.
4
"Pedring"
Erik Matti
Michiko Yamamoto
September 19, 2021 (2021-09-19)
Sisoy searches for his other missing colleagues, but his hopes of seeing them again diminish as the days go by. An eyewitness comes forward as the criminal syndicate quickly eliminates loose ends. In prison, Roman struggles with the messy internal politics of jail while hiding a key piece of evidence that Sisoy needs.
5
"Roman"
Erik Matti
Michiko Yamamoto
September 26, 2021 (2021-09-26)
Sisoy and Weng get a breakthrough in their investigation when they finally connect their colleague’s disappearance to powerful political figures. Roman receives a life sentence, pulling him even deeper into the gun-for-hire business. He is given another hit mission with his new cellmate, Popoy.
6
"Sisoy"
Erik Matti
Michiko Yamamoto
October 3, 2021 (2021-10-03)
Sisoy and Roman help each other out in trying to get to the root of the killings. Amidst suspicions from his employers that he is ratting them out, Roman decides to fight for his own freedom. Sisoy executes a daring plan to expose political crimes, endangering his own family in the process.
