It’s hard to believe this came from the same man who brought us “Guardians of the Galaxy”, but it’s true. In combination with Blumhouse Productions, he has created a truly off-kilter horror comedy that surprisingly no one has thought of making before. The idea is simple enough – it’s Office Space meets Saw, but nevertheless this film is sure to pioneer the office massacre genre.
One important thing to remember when going into the movie is that it is a horror comedy. Don’t get too attached to any one character or any superficial relationship you see. Everyone is expendable, just as with any horror comedy, and the things that happen to these people are truly horrific – but instead try to think of it as a contest and pick your favorite to win. The plot is very thin – an office of coworkers are pitted against one another in a battle to the death. That’s it. However a film like this doesn’t need to be any deeper than that. This was meant to entertain and it certainly fills that responsibility. Considering James Gunn made this in between “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2” with his spare time is quite impressive. I’d like to see more from his dark sense of humor.
The brilliant cast of actors including Sean Gunn and Michael Rooker (both also actors from Guardians), John C. McGinley (Office Space), and John Gallagher Jr. (who reminds me of a younger Jason Sudeikis) portrays perfectly the result of being a suit, working in an environment of a tension filled office and just what they’ll do to survive. It’s bloody, it’s awful, and it’s sometimes incredibly funny (is guilty-funny a concept?), but moreover it’s also kinda scary to think about. Sure, it’s just a movie, but if you really think about it, how would this actually have played out if it had been real? We like to think the best of people, but when they’re reduced to their basest, most primal selves, how would they act? I think it’s probably best to not think about it and just watch the chaos unfold.
As far as watch-ability, I’d say this movie is appropriate for watching with a group of friends on a rainy weekend, or on Halloween with some friends, or with another friend who also enjoys depraved dark comedy. I wouldn’t say this is something to be enjoyed by yourself (after the first time watching it) – it’s definitely meant to be watched around others so as to incite communal laughter and cringing. Although maybe not with coworkers. Just a thought.
This movie is…
Disgusting, hilarious, and original.
Cheers and goodnight.
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