Mayhem (2017)

“A virus spreads through an office complex causing white collar workers to act out their worst impulses.” (IMDb)

After I finished watching Mayhem, I wasn’t sure what I thought of it. My only thought was: Simple concept. Great execution. After I had some time to think on it, I can say that this film is all that and a whole lot more.

Somewhat reminiscent of The Belko Experiment, but with far better results, Mayhem turns the crazy up to 11, but keeps it within a logical (within the horror genre) and well-executed story.

The premise is quite simple. An airborne virus is running rampant in a legal firm building, which is causing people to act out severe violent tendencies. It removes all societal restrictions and filters and makes people act out their worst impulses. Therefore, ones infected get, referring to another film with a similar extreme reaction, “The Crazies”. There are several other details that go into the story, but I’d rather leave it up to you to discover those as their effect is much stronger when fresh.

Steven Yeun, who has much experience in dealing with such tenacious types being Glenn from The Walking Dead and Samara Weaving, who also had a similar violence-filled role in The Babysitter, are the couple at the centre of the story, where the former tries to save his job at any cost, while the latter is a company client attempting to stave off an immoral forclosure. Joining them are Steven Brand, Caroline Chekezie, Kerry Fox and Dallas Roberts who all add their bit of spice to the roles of ‘soulless corporate ladder climbers at any cost’.

Mayhem is a violence-filled rollercoaster ride in which director Joe Lynch (Wrong Turn 2: Dead End, Knights of Badassdom, Everly) shows horror filmmakers how to make a horror film be fun while keeping it at a high quality.

Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a fun ride. 7.5/10.