“The Conference” is a Swedish production that injects slasher elements into a corporate office setting, a concept that is not entirely innovative. However, director Patrik Eklund brings a mix of brutality and humor, making it a gory enough treat for horror enthusiasts.
While the film is not a satire, it takes a straightforward approach to satirizing office politics, playing with the dynamics of a group of employees on a team-building trip who unexpectedly find themselves immersed in a world of ultraviolence at a camp. . With a masked killer on the prowl and a group of characters oblivious to the danger around them, “The Conference” proves to be an entertaining film. It's bolstered by committed performances, spirited editing, and Eklund's obvious passion for the genre, handling the B-movie affair with a penchant for gore and suspenseful hunting sequences.
Director: Patrik Eklund
Writers: Patrik Eklund, Thomas Moldestad, Mats Strandberg
Stars: Marie Agerhäll, Amed Bozan, Robert Follin
The story takes place in the city of Kolarangen, where a real estate development company is preparing to begin construction of a shopping center project. For leader Jonas (Adam Lundgren), this venture carries the promise of career advancement and possible integration with a larger organization, making it a source of pride.
In an effort to turn this momentous occasion into a team-building outing, manager Ingela (Maria Sid) has reserved a vacation village for her employees, organizing a weekend full of activities for the team, including members Eva ( Eva Melander), Kaj (Christoffer Nordenrot), Torbjorn (Claes Hartelius) and Nadja (Bahar Pars). Lina (Katia Winter) is part of the team, having just returned from sick leave and harboring uncertainty about her role as the Kolarangen project develops. Jenny (Lola Zackow) serves as the property manager and strives to keep order for guests. However, guests, seeking a more luxurious experience, struggle to join in as suspicions of impropriety begin to circulate. Adding to the pressure is the presence of a masked killer, who is determined to murder the visitors and possesses knowledge of the area and a variety of tools to achieve his sinister goal.
The Kolarangen shopping center project represents an extension of a planned community, selling paradise to those seeking to escape crime and offering a suburban oasis that now includes a shopping center. The script delves into the complexities of the situation, and Ingela's rehearsed enthusiasm is met with skepticism from several members of the team, particularly Nadja, who raises questions about the land acquisition deal. What was once farmland is being transformed into a shopping center, raising concerns about the project, and Lina unknowingly finds herself embroiled in the problem through signing a document she doesn't remember signing. provided. “The Conference” maintains a commercial element to balance the story, establishing group dynamics and individual concerns as these individuals converge on a camp ill-prepared to accommodate them.
Terror eventually takes center stage in “The Conference,” with a ruthless killer on the loose, whose identity is hidden behind a formidable mascot mask. The brutality of the killer is evident as they employ a variety of outdoor tools and equipment to kill their victims. Eklund embraces gore and satisfies fans of the genre with gruesome scenes and suspenseful stalking sequences. The film progresses from brutality to dark humor, but Eklund maintains a consistent tone, reserving the broader comedy for the reveal of a coveted golden shovel for the opening ceremony, an object of desire for Jonas and Ingela.
“The Conference” differs from a film like “Office Space” and focuses more on interpersonal tensions and annoyances in the workplace. It primarily revolves around character conflicts before delving into investigative work, following Lina's quest to discover the origins of the mall project. This adds a layer of intrigue before returning to blood-soaked matters.
The film benefits significantly from its talented cast, who skillfully portrays quirky characters and concerns, making the cast's fate more appealing. They also deftly handle the script's humor, resulting in entertaining and disparaging interactions as the weekend progresses. “The Conference” has strong moments of the genre, particularly when traps are introduced, complicating the characters' escape plans.
Watch The Conference 2023 Movie Trailer
Comments
Post a Comment