Skip to content
MovieCove
John Arcilla

John Arcilla

Actor · Born June 24, 1966 (60) · Quezon City, Philippines

Romeo John Gonzales Arcilla (born June 24, 1966) is a Filipino film and television actor. He is best known for playing the titural role in Heneral Luna (2015), the film selected as the Philippine entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 88th Academy Awards. From 1991 to 1997, Arcilla was a resident actor and senior member of the Tanghalang Pilipino Actor Company, the resident theatre of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. In 2012, Arcilla had a cameo in The Bourne Legacy as a head security guard. The following year, Arcilla also appeared in Metro Manila, the British entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 86th Academy Awards. In 2021, he was awarded the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice International Film Festival for his role in On the Job: The Missing 8, making him the first Filipino and Southeast Asian actor to receive the award. He also received the Best Actor award at the Gawad Urian Awards in 2022 for the same role. He is a two-time Gawad Urian winner and a two-time FAMAS nominee.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
June 24, 1966 (60)
From
Quezon City, Philippines
Works as
Actor
Titles
16 on MovieCove · 79 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Up 10% in 30 days

What are John Arcilla's films like?

Across their 11 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 46th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 45th percentile
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
29%
Morality
26%
Survival
25%
Self
9%
Power
9%
Society
2%
Survival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 9 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 5 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 3 · Charged 3 · Intense 3

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 4 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 5 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 2

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 3 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 6 · Engaged 3 · Full focus 0

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 4 · Affecting 2 · Heavy 3

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 7 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

8 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 5 of 8 analyzed roles.

Shadow
5 of 8
Hero
1 of 8
Ally
1 of 8
Herald
1 of 8
Show the 8 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
6
Dread
4
Melancholic
4
Hopeful
4
Romantic
2
Other
11

How their films linger

Bittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Bittersweet8
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch John Arcilla's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 10 of their 16 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for John Arcilla's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

79 credits, 16 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Haunted Carnival (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Actor

  • Beast (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Producer · as Omeng

  • HB2Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as Del

  • The Alibi: Ang Buong Katotohanan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Show 1 episode · as Arthur Cabrera

  • Bilyarista (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Itoy

  • The Alibi(2025)

    Show 14 episodes · as Arthur Cabrera

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all shows

  • Sins of the Father(2025)

    Show 1 episode · as Mike Trinidad

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows (provisional, few ratings)

  • Encantadia Chronicles: Sang'gre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Show 53 episodes · as Hagorn (uncredited)

  • Sagrado (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Show 110 episodes · as Eleazar Sagrado

  • Fuchsia Libre(2024)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • GG (Good Game)(2024)

    as Pastor

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Penduko (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Apo Tisot

  • Ten Little Mistresses(2023)

    as Valentin / Constantin

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Dirty Linen(2023)

    Show 153 episodes · as Carlos Fiero

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all shows

  • On the Job: The Missing 8 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Sisoy Salas

  • Patayan Files: Ang Pinakamalalaking Murder Cases Ng Dekada '90 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Narrator

  • Reroute(2022)

    as Gemo

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • How to Move On in 30 Days (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Ramon

  • A Hard Day (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Ace Franco

  • Big Night! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Donato

  • On the Job(2021)

    Show 6 episodes · as Sisoy

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all shows

  • Suarez: The Healing Priest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Fr. Fernando Suarez

  • Miracle in Cell No. 7(2019)

    as Johnny San Juan

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • The Panti Sisters(2019)

    as Don Emilio y Panti

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • The Entity(2019)

    as Arturo

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Second Coming (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Actor

  • Barangay 143 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 26 episodes · as Coach B (Roberto "Bobby" Sebastián, Sr.) (voice)

  • Birdshot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Mendoza

  • Supot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Itoy

  • Encantadia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 218 episodes · as Hagorn

  • That's My Amboy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 68 episodes · as Joselito 'Lito' Tapang

  • Brothers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 1,491 episodes · as Director Renato Hipolito

  • Heneral Luna (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Heneral Antonio Luna

  • Oh My G! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 133 episodes · as Joe Luna / Daddy Ninong

  • Pure Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 93 episodes · as Peter Santos

  • (Filipino: In the Name of the Father, Mother, and Children) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Virgilio Salva

  • Metro Manila (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Douglas Ong

  • El Presidente (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Mariano Trías

  • A Beautiful Affair (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 60 episodes · as Leopoldo "Epong" Riego

  • Lilet Never Happened (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as James

  • The Bourne Legacy(2012)

    as Joseph

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Hiyas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 35 episodes · as Donato Salvador

  • Lumayo Ka Man Sa Akin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 73 episodes · as Juanito Falcon

  • No Other Woman(2011)

    as Mario Dela Costa

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Thelma (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Aldo Molino

  • Amigo(2010)

    as Nenong

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Machete (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 40 episodes · as Alfonso

  • Petrang Kabayo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Poldo

  • Ways of the Sea (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Actor

  • Magkaribal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 94 episodes · as Hermes Agustin

  • Habang May Buhay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 73 episodes · as Dr. Manuel Corpuz

  • Manila Skies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Actor

  • Villa Estrella (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Dave

  • Ay Ayeng (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Actor

  • Pangarap na Bituin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 70 episodes · as Atty. Benedict Tuazon

  • A Love Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Steve

  • Sa North Diversion Road (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Actor

  • Sugo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 160 episodes · as Romeo

  • Now That I Have You (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Oscar Morelos

  • Ligaya… Katumbas ng Buhay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Actor

  • Forevermore(2002)

    as Ronaldo

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Diskarte (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Insp. John Gomez

  • Trip (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Celine's Dad

  • Dos Ekis (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Bunny

  • The Promise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 481 episodes · as Simón Barcial

  • Gusto Ko Nang Lumigaya (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Actor

  • Shadows (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Man in black

  • Woman of Mud(2000)

    as Lt. Ramil

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Burger Boys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Sir Fernando Ayala

  • Ekis (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as George

  • They Call Me Joy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Polding

  • Asul ang Kulay ng Puso (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Actor

  • Mulanay: Sa Pusod Ng Paraiso (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Actor

  • Sa'yo Lamang (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Actor

  • Sakay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Gen. Leon Villafuerte

  • Heroes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Actor

  • Jaguar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • The Bagman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show 8 episodes · Actor

  • The Guest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 89th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 79 titles, 75 of them dated from 1992 to 2026; peak year 2014.

Biggest box office

No Other Woman (2011)

$6.5M worldwide

Highest rated

Miracle in Cell No. 7 (2019)

Midcredits 93rd

Most popular right now

Dirty Linen (2023)

Film career

19922026

Peak 2014 · steadily prominent in film for years. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 2013Screen debut· Metro Manila
  • 2015First top-billed film· Heneral Luna

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting79 of 79: 78 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score44thProducing1 of 79: 0 only producing, 1 with another role

By decade

1990s8 · acting2000s17 · acting2010s29 · acting2020s21 · 21 acting · 1 crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

How do John Arcilla's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 44th percentile, the median of all 12; across their 9 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 33rd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

33rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Approval · how many liked their films

39thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Reach · how many have seen their films

51stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Midcredits score across 16 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up2
  • 50th to 74th4
  • 25th to 49th6
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

6 of their 16 titles are Divisive.

  • Divisive6
  • Cult Classic5
  • Crowd Pleaser1
  • Mixed4

Most divisive · actor

Dirty Linen (2023)

99th percentile spread · 43% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Miracle in Cell No. 7 (2019)

Midcredits 93rd · 79% liked

Reviewers score the acting 65/100 in their films, across 7 reviewed titles; fans 79, detractors 42. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does John Arcilla work with?

People who share at least 2 of John Arcilla's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Carmi Martin shares the most, 3.

Directors

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers