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Severance

1988Movie95 minEnglish

Ray Ponti is a down and out father, a man trapped by his past and frightened of his future. Cly is a streetwise runaway, waiting tables by day and stripping by night. Both are fighting for existence in the slime-bowl of New York's gutters, where drugs and prostitution are the only currency. Ray is in over the top with the Mafia and Cly is emotionally destroyed by the absence of her father. Severence is a gripping story set against the seedy backdrop of New York City, where broken dreams and empty promises litter the streets.

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Insights

IMDb5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes72%
Metacritic57/100
Google Users65%
Director: Christopher SmithGenres: Comedy, Horror

Plot Summary

In this dark comedy horror, a financially struggling singles' weekend retreat turns into a deadly ordeal. When a group of employees from a military-optics company, Palisade Defence, attends the corporate team-building event, they soon discover that the remote lodge is being stalked by a deranged killer. What begins as an awkward icebreaker quickly escalates into a fight for survival against both the wilderness and a psychopathic threat.

Critical Reception

Severance received mixed to positive reviews from critics, with many praising its blend of gore, dark humor, and surprising twists. While some found its plot predictable, others appreciated its energetic pacing and inventive kills. Audience reception was generally favorable, enjoying its unique take on the slasher genre.

What Reviewers Say

  • A surprisingly funny and gory horror-comedy that doesn't take itself too seriously.
  • Offers a fresh, albeit violent, take on the slasher formula with a strong ensemble cast.
  • While some plot elements are familiar, the film's wit and brutal set pieces make it a worthwhile watch for genre fans.

Google audience: Audiences generally enjoyed the film's dark humor and inventive gore. Many appreciated the cast's performance and the movie's ability to balance comedy with scares. Some viewers found the story a bit predictable, but the overall consensus was that it was an entertaining and fun horror flick.

Fun Fact

The film's setting, a remote lodge in Hungary, was chosen to enhance the sense of isolation and provide a visually distinct backdrop for the gruesome events.

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