Severance

At the beginning of Severance seven employees of an international weapons manufacturing company head off to the Eastern European woods for a fun corporate team building session. When they get there, the lodge is less than ideal, the food isn't plentiful, and the surrounding woods are inhabited by a vicious killer. As the group struggles to survive, they begin to realize that even though they make the weapons, that doesn't count for anything when the blood starts to flow.

Severance is a nice find; a jet black comic horror film with interesting characters, seat squirming situations (oh bear traps!), unexpected laughs, and plenty of suspense. Director Christopher Smith has a nice grasp on the horror genre and finds simple, but effective ways to amp up the tension. There's a nice sequence in the opening act involving cleverly timed sound effects that turns potentially boring moments into hilariously tense teases. Smith is playing with the audience, and having a great time doing so.

When the killer finally strikes, the movie doesn't just settle at being a series of stalks and kills; it finds unique ways to surprise the audience. One of my favourite moments occurs during a "safe" scene, one of those moments in horror films where characters let down their guards so the film can offer up some much needed character development. In Severance, Smith lets the "safe" scene occur in the foreground, while the killer silently strikes in the background.

Even more refreshing is the level of satire at work here. It's not brilliant, but this is a pointed horror film, obviously unleashing some frustration on weapon's manufacturers. Some of the funniest scenes have to do with just how inept these people are when it comes to actually using the weapons they have marketed and created. The introduction of a life saving rocket launcher quickly turns a moment of celebration into a moment of true horror.

Severance is also anchored by incredibly likable performers. Laura Harris combines her genuine sweetness with a violent, primal urge to survive, while Danny Dyer manages to turn the stereotypical "stoner" character into a hilarious shlub on the verge of manhood. Unlike many horror films, I was rooting for these characters to survive.

Severance is a fun, scary movie that uses the slasher film conventions in order to make sly comments on our weapons obsessed culture.

*** out of 4