Mayhem is a 2017 American action horror film directed by Joe Lynch and written by Matias Caruso. The film premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival in March 2017 and was later released in US cinemas and on VOD on November 10, 2017. With a budget of approximately $2.5 million, Mayhem grossed around $17,366 at the box office, indicating a limited theatrical run but a potential for greater viewership through digital platforms.
The storyline revolves around Derek Cho, played by Steven Yeun, who is an attorney wrongfully fired from his job at a corporate law firm. On the same day he is terminated, the building becomes quarantined due to the outbreak of a virus known as ID-7, which causes those infected to lose their inhibitions and act out their darkest impulses. As chaos erupts within the office, Derek teams up with Melanie Cross (Samara Weaving), a former client seeking revenge against the company that wronged her. Together, they navigate the mayhem of their corporate environment, battling both infected colleagues and security personnel as they attempt to reach the executives responsible for their grievances.
Critics have noted that Mayhem combines elements of horror and dark comedy, drawing comparisons to films like Office Space but with a much more violent twist. The film features over-the-top action sequences and a satirical take on corporate culture, highlighting themes of revenge and moral decay in a high-stakes environment. The performances of Yeun and Weaving have been praised for their chemistry and ability to deliver both humor and intensity amidst the chaos.
Overall, Mayhem presents a unique blend of action and horror that critiques corporate life while providing an entertaining experience filled with absurdity and violence. Its reception has generally been positive among audiences looking for an unconventional take on workplace dynamics in a genre-bending format.