Office Uprising

Office Uprising is a zany, thrilling, and fast-paced blend of action and comedy. The year is 2018, and this horror-comedy marries the cubicle drudgery of a corporate framework with the apocalyptic mayhem of a zombie outbreak. This underrated gem has surged onto the screen with an infectious charm, and it is every bit enjoyable for its eclectic cast assembly, including the leading stars Brenton Thwaites, Jane Levy, and Karan Soni, along with a slew of other talented actors.

In Office Uprising, Brenton Thwaites, whose most prominent role until this point had been as Henry Turner in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, stars as Desmond - a seemingly average corporate worker. Desmond is lodged deep within the dull routine of a nine-to-five job at one of the world's leading weapons manufacturer, Ammotech. Being a slacker, he is more interested in his pursuit of Samantha (played by Jane Levy), than his work. He's surrounded by a bumbling best friend, Mourad, played with quirky charm by Karan Soni, a host of eccentric co-workers, and a stern, iron-willed boss.

The drudgery of everyday office life gets a violently chaotic twist when the employees at Ammotech unwittingly become test subjects for a new energy drink called 'Zolt'. The seemingly harmless beverage, however, turns the office into a horrific scene of chaos as the drink causes its consumers to transform into crazed, mindless zombies.

Brenton Thwaites' Desmond, along with a few of his colleagues, manage to avoid drinking the beverage and remain sane amidst the malfunctioning madness that the office has dissolved into. They need to gather their wits and devise a plan to escape the blood-thirsty zombie co-workers and the closed confines of their office building - all while striving to keep as low a profile as possible to avoid attracting the attention of the manic office zombies.

At its core, Office Uprising is a comedy, with an absurd premise and humorous tone underscoring even its most violent scenes. On the other hand, it is a biting satire about corporate life, where the dehumanizing monotony of desk jobs is compared to the soul-crushing, mind-robbing effects of the energy drink turning people into zombies. This allegorical standpoint resonates throughout the film, underpinning even the most ludicrous of scenes with a deeper message.

Jane Levy and Karan Soni deliver notable performances. Levy, known for her roles in Suburgatory and Evil Dead, brings her charismatic presence into the fold and paints a compelling performance. Her character, Samantha, remains competent, brave, and lovable. Karan Soni, best identified as Dopinder from Deadpool, offers comic relief. His character, Mourad, is endearing, and Soni’s performance perfectly encapsulates the combination of wit, humor, and naivety.

Office Uprising situates the horror-comedy genre in an unexpected setting. An office building where rules, order, and professionalism reign suddenly turns into a space overridden with chaos, violence, and insanity. The shady operations within a weapons manufacturing company create an interesting plot, and a searing criticism of unethical corporate practices is intelligently woven into the script.

The visual effects, the make-up and costumes, and the fine balance of humor and horror robustly express the movie's unique spin on the zombie trope. The director, Lin Oeding, demonstrates experienced handling of the genre-melding storyline. Despite the chaos, Oeding ensures the narrative remains coherent, the character development solid, and the viewer experience enjoyable.

Despite the intense action sequences, the film does not lose sight of the interpersonal relationships, particularly the budding romance between Desmond and Samantha. The film strikes a balance between the frightening and funny, making it a truly entertaining watch.

Office Uprising is a refreshing take on familiar zombie tropes, mixed with office-space satire. Even when venturing into violent and grim scenarios, the movie maintains an undercurrent of humor and silliness that keeps the overall tone light and comically nerve-wracking. For those looking for a film that elegantly juggles action, comedy, horror, and a dash of romance, Office Uprising certainly fits the bill.