'Mayhem' (2017): Best Horror Movie of the Year?

A virus has emerged nicknamed the 'Red Eye Virus' which causes those infected to have their id hijacked. The Cambridge dictionary defines the id as:

The deepest part of the unconscious mind that represents the most basic natural human needs and emotions such as hunger, anger, and the wish for pleasure.

Derek works in a dog-eat-dog corporate law firm. Derek wants success, but being successful at Towers and Smythe Consulting means you have to swim with the big fish.

And the big fish just fired him.

When the virus is inside the building and everyone is under quarantine, what will Derek do?

Director: Joe Lynch.

Writer: Matius Caruso.

Date of Release: November 2017.

Genre: Horror with some comedic relief and tonnes of action.

Country of Origin: USA.

Fun Facts:

• Steven Yuen plays Derek Cho, he was also cast as my favourite character Glen Rhee on The Walking Dead (TV Series.) I adore him and when I saw the trailer for this film, I eagerly awaited its release and rented Mayhem because I had to see it as soon as possible.
• In the opening scene there are two people having sex, they are in a real life relationship and were actually having sex.
• Due to a limited budget, the movie was made in 25 days.

I love movies that use voice-over narration. From Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) to American Psycho (2000) the technique provides an inside glimpse into a character that we wouldn't normally see. I appreciate character development in movies and films that miss the mark for me are usually due to the main role being poorly defined enough for me to care about them. When Mayhem begins, Yuen who stars as Derek is talking about how he feels about his life and his view of the Red Eye Virus. Not only is there a narrative but a visual picture of what he is talking about. My heart raced because I knew I was going to love this movie.

The cinematography from Steve Gainer was superb. At times I felt like I was watching the virus use Derek as its puppet along with everyone else in the office. Camera angles and close up's caused the film to take on an almost video game-like feel, later underpinned with referrals to locating keys to reach higher levels which is 'gamer-talk.'

What I adored about this film was that it was reminiscent of the sentiment in the movie Office Space (1999). The workplace a thankless arena that kills your soul. This is one of my favorite movies. I have worked in many offices over my career and finding a sense of familiarity that is easily relatable. If you add a virus that unencumbered your inhibitions and gives them nail guns, circular saws and access to the underpaid guy in I.T then you have the basics of Mayhem.

Many will hone in on the want to punch out that nasty co-worker or throw down with the office jerk and that's where this film finds success. We have a hero in Derek that is so likable, it's impossible to cheer for anyone else but him. There is no confusion about who needs to be the winner. Will he rise up or be squashed by his rivals?

The violence is not restrained in director Joe Lynch's film. If you have seen any of his other works such as Wrong Turn 2 (2007) or his mini-series 12 Deadly Days (2016) you will be aware that the man loves a good spatter and this is no exception. Where some critics found the violence too much, I found it took on a badass coolness that only Steven Yuen could bring. Yuen's performance teamed with Samara Weaving's cold maniacal smirk, was amazing. There was an aspect of crazed comical effervescence bubbling out of them. I couldn't get enough.

Samara Weaving was in The Babysitter (2017) a Netflix original that has romped in with rave reviews. I was one who loved her role of the sadistic killer a lot. I was equally excited when she appeared as disgruntled, heavy metal loving client in this. She is great. The chemistry between Yuen and Weaving was great. After most of a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon, I wanted them to get married in real-life and have babies. I'm joking of course, but I hope they team up again in the future.

Final Thoughts

So was there a flaw in his movie? I will have to give a resounding No! It's without a doubt my favorite film for 2017. I have seen people compare this to The Belko Experiment (2017) but this is nothing like that. The only thing the two movies have in common is that they use an office as a location. Mayhem's tongue-in-punched-out-cheek at its absolute cracking best.

This is a must see, moviegoers. I wish I had seen this on the big screen. It's that good.

I give Mayhem, 5 Motorhead loving, nail gun-toting queens out of 5.