Synopsis
The Conference is a 2023 film from Sweden merging horror and comedy, simultaneously delivering sharp social commentary and intense slasher thrills under the direction of Patrik Eklund. It is based on the novel Konferensen by Mats Strandberg, and it features workplace horror satire, providing a unique blend of social commentary and horror.
The film plot is set in a remote Swedish countryside retreat where a morale-boosting team-building trip is organized for employees from a disbanded local government department. The temporary restructuring of a controversial public-private development project prompted the initiative. However, the planned corporate retreat quickly devolves into chaos as dormant tensions among the employees turn into violent conflict accompanied by the stalking and systematic murder perpetrated by a masked killer.
The film opens with a small group of city employees arriving at a rustic lodge located deep within the forest. Among this group is Lina (Katia Winter), a quietly resilient employee returning from a personal leave and facing tension in the workplace. During her absence, she had drawn attention by voicing ethical concerns about the company’s flagship project: a real estate development initiative that many deemed heavily corrupt. She, in turn, was viewed with suspicion or resentment by most of her colleagues.
The group attempts to make the best out of the situation by engaging in awkward ice-breaker games and trust-building exercises, led by their overconfident and insufferable boss, Jonas (Adam Lundgren). In reality, however, the atmosphere is anything but harmonious. While many openly grumble, others harbor deep-seated grudges, secrets, and hostilities masked by pleasantries. Throughout the course of the day, squabbles escalate as new groups band together in a bid to form a unified front.
This is precisely when the killings commence.
An enigmatic murderer dons a grotesque smiling mask and begins to eliminate the conference-goers, using a selection of tools and items found in the rural lodge. Each murder is more gruesome than the last, combining horror with dark comedy as brutal attacks are juxtaposed to the absurdity of workplace politics.
Blending together elements of a corporation’s workplace hierarchy with horror, Lina essentially puts together a puzzle and realizes that the murders may not be random. The killer appears to target specific members of the office—and there is a connection to the development project scandal that Lina attempted to uncover.
As disorder takes over, petty conflicts are instantly replaced with anguished fear. Some people attempt escape, some turn on allies, and a few rise to the occasion and attempt to defend their coworkers. Throughout all the chaos, the film maintains its satirical focus, critiquing mundane corporate jargon, meaningless HR exercises, and rampant workplace hypocrisy.
Bloody justice is served, truths are uncovered, and in the ultimate showdown, confronted by the masked murderer, survivors grapple for survival—fighting with axes, shovels, and office chairs.
Cast & Crew
Katia Winter as Lina: A principled company operative who is the closest to a conventional “final girl”. Emotionally, Lina is the audience’s connection to the narrative. Winter’s performance is a captivating blend of strength and vulnerability tempered by wearied frustration, making her a compelling lead.
Adam Lundgren as Jonas: The smug, oblivious boss who attempts to regain command of the situation as everything spirals out of control. Lundgren infuses the role with just the right smarm and has great comedic timing so he remains humorous rather than antagonistic.
Eva Melander as Ingela: An HR manager archetype who is desperately trying to keep things calm as the bodies keep piling up.
Bahar Pars, Christoffer Nordenrot, and Lola Zackow complete the cast, portraying the quirky and cowardly office worker archetypes that populate horror films.
Director:
Patrik Eklund brings his unique voice to The Conference, infusing it with elements of horror violence and absurd satirical whimsy. Eklund, a Swedish director with roots in comedy, demonstrates deftness in balancing genres while using humor subversively.
Writer:
Mats Strandberg, the author of the source novel, is a recognized name for blending social realism with horror. The screenplay was an adaptation of the book, maintaining the tone and pacing while translating themes such as institutional collapse and corporate deceit into celluloid form.
Production:
SF Studios served as the production company for the film, which was subsequently released on Netflix in October 2023, ensuring ease of access for international audiences. The cinematography illustrates the juxtaposition between the picturesque Scandinavian forest and the increasingly gory chaos that ensues. The film’s score and sound design underscore the shifting tone of the film, ranging from comedic beats to utter terror.
IMDb Ratings & Critical Reception
The Conference has an IMDb rating of 6.0/10, indicating that the audience response has been mostly positive. Fans of hybrid genres and horror satire appear to appreciate the film.
Positive Feedback:
Critics and audiences have lauded the film for its original combination of horror and comedy. It is not overly serious, and that self-awareness benefits the film.
The emotional performances, particularly from Katia Winter, were praised as refreshing, adding depth to the film’s plethora of outrageous deaths.
The film’s portrayal of toxic workplaces, bureaucratic ineptitude, and political cover-ups earned it praise for brazenly critiquing contemporary society. It’s a horror story, yes; but also, it is telling the audience something powerful.
The inventive and graphic nature of the slasher-style kills, which appeal particularly to fans of creative gore, has also garnered praise.
Criticism:
A number of critical commentators have pointed out that there is a very delicate balance between the film’s elements of horror and parody, and at times it helplessly succumbs to silliness.
A few reviewers raised concerns regarding the uneven character development, with most characters appearing as stereotypes or mere punchlines.
While some viewers appreciated the first act’s slower pacing prior to the unfold of murders, others considered it a necessary buildup.
Notwithstanding these subtle critiques, The Conference stands out as a cult favorite for viewers wanting a break from generic horror films. It serves not only as a slasher film, but also as a satirical dissection of contemporary corporate culture.
Conclusion
Set against the backdrop of an office retreat, The Conference has been described as a cleverly effective horror-comedy that explores issues of responsibility, corruption, and group dynamics within corporate structures. Rather than reinventing the slasher genre, it blends office humor and unapologetically brutal kills, infusing it with new energy.
What distinguishes it is the balanced tone of farcical and fearful humor. It combines satire on workplace hierarchy with primal fear of being hunted. In doing so, it suggests that the most frightening element is not the killer lurking in the woods, but rather our everyday office colleagues.
The Conference captures the tumultuous descent of corporate America, caught behind opaque glass doors and concealed behind glossy marketing materials. This film will elicit laughter, winces, and even cheers as one watches the ultimate ending—the spreadsheets burning in gory flames.
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