Expressway (film)

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

 * Alvin Anson as Ben
 * Aljur Abrenica as Morris
 * RK Bagatsing 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 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 Alvin Anson 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 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 Solar Entertainment Corporation. Later in October, the film was screened at the 21st Busan International Film Festival.

Critical response
Elizabeth Kerr of The Hollywood Reporter gave the film a mixed review, stating that the film is "a by-the-numbers noir thriller.... [T]he 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."