Cinetactic

Take It Easy, Joey (2025) is a short documentary that follows Filipino Canadian wrestler Joey Serranilla and his persona, TekkitEazyJoey. It is a fun and light film that traces how a character achieves his dream by embracing his identity and celebrating who he is. Peppered throughout the documentary is the story of a second generation immigrant navigating his place in an industry that demands both performance and authenticity. In doing so, the film presents a different kind of immigrant narrative, one that is not rooted in struggle alone, but in confidence and self-expression.

Critical to the film’s success is the choice to feature TekkitEazyJoey. It is often difficult to find a subject that is both charismatic and bears a story worth telling on screen. Joey Serranilla is a bomb of a character. He is fashionable, in his words, drag, spirited, and a passionate wrestler trying to find his space in the industry. What is refreshing about his story is how light and positive he is as a character. His parents are supportive of him chasing his dreams, and his father even shares his passion for wrestling. As a result, the audience is shown a character that is both inspiring and challenges the usual notion of what it means to be a second generation immigrant.

The film makes use of archival footage to depict the character’s pinnacle of success, particularly in achieving his “greenlight” in wrestling. While the reliance on archival material is evident, the editing makes the storytelling engaging. The audience is brought into the action-packed and dramatic world of wrestling. The pacing remains lively, allowing the narrative to maintain its energy throughout. It is an entertaining way to present an immigrant’s journey towards finding himself and what he is good at.

Take It Easy, Joey is a breath of fresh air when it comes to diasporic films. It shows the abundance of stories that are yet to be told. More importantly, it proves that immigrant narratives do not always have to center on hardship and sacrifice. They can also be stories of joy, confidence, and self-discovery. In a landscape where diasporic stories are often limited to struggle, this film offers a different perspective. It reminds the audience that there are many ways to tell these stories, and that these voices are worth hearing.

Rating: 5/5