''Expressway'' is a 2016 Filipino action thriller film directed by Ato Bautista from a script by Shugo Praico and starring

Alvin Anson Alvin Lorenz Cristobal Anson (born October 20, 1962) is a Filipino actor, producer, director, TV host and musician. His works includes his portrayal of General José Alejandrino in the Philippine film ''Heneral Luna'' and TV series ''Dolce Amore ...

and Aljur Abrenica. The film was first released as an entry to the 2nd Sinag Maynila Film Festival on April 22, 2016, where it won three awards, including Best Actor (Anson). It was later screened at the

21st Busan International Film Festival The 21st Busan International Film Festival was held from October 6 to October 15, 2016 at the Busan Cinema Center and was hosted by Sol Kyung-gu and Han Hyo-joo. A total of 301 films from 69 countries were screened at the festival, including 96 wo ...

. The film follows Ben, a hitman on his last job who is forced to partner with the young and psychotic Morris on the road to his three targets.

Synopsis

A syndicate gun for hire is assigned one last job before retirement. His partner on the job turns out to be a sadistic, trigger-happy young man who is willing to do whatever it takes to make a name for himself within the syndicate.

Cast

as Ben * Aljur Abrenica as Morris *

RK Bagatsing Ramon Khino "RK" S. Bagatsing (born May 9, 1988) is a Filipino film and television actor. Bagatsing is most notable for the role of Arnaldo Ardiente Torillo in the ABS-CBN primetime series ''Wildflower''. Early life Bagatsing is the son of ac ...

as Young Ben *Erick Samonte as Tatang *Japo Parcero as Princess Red *Jim Libiran as Botod *Allan Equalan as Budoy *Rose Atienza as Budoy's wife *

Kim Atienza Alejandro Ilagan Atienza (; born January 24, 1967), known professionally as Kim Atienza or Kuya Kim, is a Filipino television host, actor, weather anchor, YouTube vlogger and former politician. He is formerly a resident weather anchor in ABS-C ...

as Budoy's son *Danica Siner as Budoy's daughter *Inez Bernardo Young Ben’s wife *Arpee Bautista as Morris’ father *Kiko Matos as Kato *Nica Naval as Kato’s Girlfriend *Nathaniel Rocca as Ben’s son *Jahren Estordue as Young Morris *Ato Bautista as the voice of Colonel

Production

Actor

first revealed plans for a thriller film called ''Expressway'' on September 26, 2015, stating that shooting will start in October. In January 2016, filmmaker Brillante Mendoza stated that the film was included as an entry to the 2nd Sinag Maynila Film Festival, of which he co-founded with

Solar Entertainment Corporation Solar Entertainment Corporation (simply known as Solar or SEC) is a Filipino media company based in Makati, Philippines. Founded and owned by the brothers, Wilson, William and Willy Tieng. Solar Entertainment operates two digital free-to-air c ...

head Wilson Tieng.

Release

''Expressway'' was released on April 22, 2016, in select SM Cinemas as an entry to the 2nd Sinag Maynila Film Festival organized by

. Later in October, the film was screened at the

Critical response

Elizabeth Kerr of ''

The Hollywood Reporter ''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Cinema of the United States, Hollywood film industry, film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade pap ...

'' gave the film a mixed review, stating that the film is "a by-the-numbers noir thriller.... e film could have used a more vivid sense of place. When the inevitable conclusion rolls around, it doesn't pack a wallop so much as a knowing shrug."

Accolades

References

External links

*{{IMDb title, 5651372 2016 films 2016 action thriller films 2016 crime action films 2016 crime thriller films Filipino-language films Films about contract killing Philippine action thriller films Philippine crime thriller films