A group of staff members from Palisades Defence Corp is travelling by bus to a luxury retreat in Europe, where they will engage in various team-building exercises. In the team are Maggie (Laura Harris), Harris (Toby Stephens), Jill (Claudie Blakley), Billy (Babou Ceesay), Gordon (Andy Nyman), and their sales leader, Richard (Tim McInnerny). But on their way, the sales team encounters a significant problem: a large tree has fallen across the road, blocking their path to the destination. The team leave the bus and continues their journey to the resort on foot.
However, when they finally reach their destination, the sales team discovers that their luxury resort is not as glamorous as they had believed, leaving everyone frustrated and annoyed. But relaxation and fun are the least of their worries. Lurking in the woods is a mysterious and violent killer who has now set their sights on this group. Will the sales team survive their biggest and bloodiest challenge yet?
Severance is an intriguing blend of horror and dark comedy. The horror elements resemble a slasher film, as the primary threat is a mysterious killer. Be prepared; the killings are brutally violent and bloody. For those who might not know, Christopher Smith co-wrote and directed the film. Smith is known for his previous works, including Creep (2004), Black Death (2010), and the well-loved Triangle (2009).
If you are seeking a fun film, Severance is worth your time. Firstly, the film is filled with many gags, one-liners and puns. On top of this, the film successfully manages to be shocking through the level of gore and the various kills that occur, which many will also find comedic. I found the first and second acts to be quite humorous, but the tone became more serious once the various reveals were made, and the stakes for the remaining survivors became more tense and dramatic. The film’s level of violence reminded me of a Saw film, with head removals, knife slashing, and the list goes on. Severance is gruesome and offers plenty of great horror for fans of this genre.
I enjoyed the plot, especially in the third act and the climax, where the story takes an unexpected turn and reveals deeper layers. It also stands out from typical slasher films that feature a serial killer in the woods. The performances are impressive, and it’s refreshing to see actors who usually don’t work in comedy or horror stepping out of their comfort zones and having fun on screen. I appreciated the work of director Christopher Smith, who excels with great visuals and unique ideas, creating a film that feels quite different from real life. I am a massive fan of everything Christopher Smith does!
Overall, Severance began as a dark comedy and gradually transformed into a slasher horror film. However, rather than sticking to a traditional horror formula, it unexpectedly evolved into something different by the third act and climax. Director Christopher Smith not only impresses with his stunning visuals and creative ideas but also delivers a fresh and unique experience. If you’re in the mood for laughs, you’ll find plenty of effective random gags. And if you’re looking for gore, blood, and violence, you’re also in for a treat! Severance is an enjoyable mix of genres with a storyline that is hard to grasp fully on the first viewing.
Severance (2006) is Now Available on Blu-ray thanks to Umbrella Entertainment!
FILM SCORE: 7.2/10
Published: 23rd February 2025
Written by: Peter Walkden
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