The Conference: A Slasher Flick with a Corporate Twist

Directed by: Patrick Eklund  

Starring: Katia Winter, Maria Sid

**Rating:** ★★★☆☆

Netflix serves up a fresh slasher treat this "Friday the 13th" with Patrick Eklund’s “The Conference.” While it doesn’t feature the iconic Jason Voorhees, it clearly draws inspiration from the legend of the hockey-masked killer, blending it with elements of corporate satire. Think “Triangle of Sadness” meets “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” where a group of corporate schemers face the bloody consequences of their greed and incompetence during a work retreat.

Plot Summary:

The story centers around Lina (Katia Winter), the most relatable character in a crew of profit-driven capitalists. Lina returns from a leave of absence to find that her company has been engaging in some shady business practices, including stealing land from hardworking farmers to build a shopping mall. Determined to uncover the truth, she heads to a corporate retreat held at an eerily abandoned summer camp. While some of her colleagues are allies, most follow their relentlessly upbeat boss, Ingela (Maria Sid), who believes in motivating through sheer force of a creepy smile.

As Lina digs deeper into the corporate malfeasance, a masked killer begins to stalk the camp, targeting the employees in gruesome ways. The killer’s disguise—a camp mascot head with a frozen visage and black eyes—manages to be both goofy and terrifying, earning the nickname Slashy.

Performances:

Katia Winter shines as Lina, bringing depth to a character caught in the crossfire of corporate greed and violent retribution. Maria Sid is equally compelling as the overly enthusiastic and sinister boss Ingela. The rest of the cast effectively portrays a range of characters from deceitful colleagues to unsuspecting victims, adding layers to the unfolding horror.

Narrative and Structure:

Eklund’s film stands out for its brisk pacing and clever blending of horror and workplace comedy. Unlike many slashers that take their time building tension, “The Conference” dives straight into the action. The script, co-written by Thomas Moldestad and Mats Strandberg, wastes no time on long speeches or unnecessary exposition. Instead, it sets up a trapped location filled with bickering, deceitful employees, making their inevitable demise all the more satisfying.

The film's exploration of the hollowness of corporate motivational sound bites and the inherent destructiveness of greed adds a satirical edge to the horror. Fans of “Severance” and “Mayhem” will appreciate the film's critique of workplace culture, even as they enjoy the slasher thrills.

Themes and Execution:

“The Conference” cleverly juxtaposes the shallow positivity of corporate retreats with the visceral horror of a slasher film. The killer’s methodical dispatching of the employees serves as a darkly humorous commentary on the destructive nature of corporate greed. The final scenes, without giving too much away, underscore that these characters don’t need a masked murderer to reveal their violent tendencies; their cutthroat behavior does that on its own.

Conclusion:

“The Conference” is a solid addition to the slasher genre, offering a unique blend of horror and corporate satire. Patrick Eklund’s direction ensures a fast-paced, entertaining ride that doesn’t skimp on the gore or the laughs. Katia Winter and Maria Sid lead a strong cast, and the film’s commentary on corporate culture adds an extra layer of intrigue. While it may not revolutionize the genre, it’s a fun, bloody diversion that’s perfect for a Friday the 13th binge.

Now streaming on Netflix, “The Conference” is a must-watch for slasher fans and anyone who’s ever suffered through a soul-crushing corporate retreat.