Mayhem

Mayhem is a 2017 horror-comedy directed by Joe Lynch and written by Matias Caruso. The movie stars Steven Yeun as Derek Cho, an employee of a law firm who is unjustly fired and then quarantined in the building along with his colleagues due to a virus that makes people lose their inhibitions and act on their primal instincts. Samara Weaving co-stars as Melanie Cross, a former client of the law firm who teams up with Derek to get to the top floor of the building and confront the executives who wronged them, while Steven Brand plays the ruthless boss who will stop at nothing to protect his company's secrets.

The movie begins with a brief explanation of the virus, know as the ID7, which is the result of a fungus that grows in rare Amazonian plants. The virus causes people to experience extreme anger and act on their most violent impulses, leading to chaos and destruction wherever it spreads. Derek Cho works for a big law firm called Towers and Smythe Consulting, which is involved in a class action lawsuit against a Japanese company that caused a virus outbreak that killed hundreds of people. Derek is a talented lawyer who focuses on defending his clients by any means necessary, but he is also feeling increasingly disillusioned with the cutthroat world of corporate law.

One day, Derek gets into an argument with his boss, John Towers (played by Steven Brand), who accuses him of making a mistake in a client's case. Derek protests his innocence, but when he threatens to expose a dirty secret about the company, Towers fires him on the spot. Derek is devastated by the loss of his job, but just as he's about to leave the building, the ID7 virus is detected on the premises, and the building is put under quarantine. This means that no one can leave or enter until the virus is contained. Derek finds himself trapped inside the building along with his former colleagues, who are all infected by the virus and acting like primitive animals.

As chaos erupts on every floor, Derek teams up with Melanie Cross, a former client of the law firm who has a score to settle with Towers and Smythe Consulting. The two of them hatch a plan to fight their way to the top floor and confront the executives who caused the virus outbreak in the first place. Along the way, they encounter various obstacles and enemies, including a biker gang, a crazy janitor, and a group of executives who are willing to kill to protect their secrets.

The movie is a wild rollercoaster ride of violence and gore, punctuated by moments of humor and satire. The characters are all exaggerated caricatures of corporate types, with the bosses being portrayed as heartless and ruthless, and the employees as scheming and duplicitous. Derek and Melanie embody the themes of the movie, which are revenge, justice, and redemption. Derek seeks revenge against his former boss, who he feels betrayed him, while Melanie seeks justice for the wrongs that were done to her. Both of them are redeemed by the end of the movie, as they learn that their actions have consequences.

Steven Yeun is excellent in the lead role, portraying Derek as a sympathetic and likable character who undergoes a transformation from a meek employee to a fierce warrior. Samara Weaving is also great as Melanie, bringing a toughness and vulnerability to the role. The supporting cast is also strong, with Steven Brand giving an intense performance as the main villain, and Caroline Chikezie standing out as a tough executive who is more than she seems.

Overall, Mayhem is an entertaining and thrilling movie that delivers on its promises. It's a high-energy horror-comedy that doesn't take itself too seriously, but also manages to explore deeper themes of corporate greed, the nature of humanity, and the importance of standing up for oneself. While not for the faint of heart, Mayhem is a well-made and well-acted movie that will satisfy fans of both horror and comedy.