The Employer (2013)
Five highly qualified applicants interview for a coveted job with the Carcharias Corporation, a powerful conglomerate whose business practices are shrouded in mystery. On the night before the last round of interviews, they are all kidnapped and drugged. The next day, they wake up trapped together in a locked room without any hope of escape. Soon the true nature of their situation is revealed when they receive a phone call from the mysterious CEO of Carcharias, known only as The Employer. He informs them that they are about to experience the final interview, but it's not at all what they were expecting.
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Reviews
Strong and Moving!
Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay
Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.
The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.
Merle does an excellent job of synthesizing both drama and suspense to create one of the most interesting movies I've seen in a very long time. We're lead to believe that its characters don't meet by chance, there's a real reason behind the sinister plot that encourages a vicious, dramatic performance.We're lulled in slowly, as we discover the real reason the characters are there, what they were doing the night before, and the lengths they would go to acquire their position in the company. A lot of movies out there try to deal with the concept of Darwinism and natural selection, surely, but what happens when the business world adopts that mentality? Hasn't it already adopted that worldview? Success and profit mean everything, by whatever means necessary.The Employer is a fascinating story of human psychology, ethics and the latent animalism that lurks within us all. Seemingly ordinary people whose one goal right now is to become millionaires are put side-by-side to uncover one of the most startling revelations--if that were me, I'd have done what they did. We watch as a spectators, but we're really watching ourselves--this is exactly what we would do if we were forced in these circumstances.What're you waiting for? If you think Tom Cruise's Collateral had the natural selection argument, wait till you see The Employer.Let's get hired!
Do you like claustrophobic horror flicks in which people's weaknesses are exploited so that the worst comes out in them, resulting in murder? If so you will like this film, I did. The Employer asks an honest question. What are you will to do for an awesome job that will allow you to get away with anything and to probably get really rich?The five contestants in this film are willing to do anything. In this case that means surviving this 5-way massacre/job interview, and more than likely killing a few people along the way. The film written and directed by Frank Merle, plays on the cold-heartedness of big business in America.I enjoy the polarities Frank draws between killing people, and killing businesses, which is what the Carcharias Corporation apparently does. I also found the death by stiletto heel to be very enjoyable, as was the performance by Michael Delorenzo, as Keith Caverns. Michael has a certain way of making you hate the character he portrays, which is exactly what the Writer/Director wants.
"Nobody Dies" That is what James Harris (David Dasmalchain) tells the group of 4 other applicants when he discovers that in order to win a job at the mysterious "Cacharais Corperation" they must murder each other until only one remains. It is a high minded ideal, but will it win out against the cold realities of their circumstances? These are the brutal circumstances put forth by "The Employer." Will they try to make it out together? or will their own fragile natures ensure their demise? Through flashback we see each of the characters interview with the mysterious Employer (Malcolm MacDowell)here we see their strengths, but more importantly their weaknesses. In addition to James the everyman there is the seemingly sweet and naive Sandra (Paige Howard), the stylish grad student Billie (Katerina Mikalilenko) the fast talking huckster Keith (Michael Delorenzo) and the gentle giant Mike (Matthew Willig) who has ample brains in addition to his brawn. After James declaration tensions arise and insecurity about survival starts to gnaw away at them. Add in a cameo from Billy Zane and you have a great thriller that utilizes character development and suspense, not cheap tawdry gore. "The Employer" adept commentary on our insecurity regarding today's job market shows that director Frank Merle is a bold new voice in not only the realm of horror, bit all of cinema. I wholeheartedly recommend it!
I found out about "The Employer" from a friend's recommendation. And I'm glad I did! As the film begins, I am pleased to see Malcolm McDowell's cold, calculating dialogue – I became a fan of his from his work on HBO's "Entourage." I enjoy his almost sinister and cut-throat portrayal of a powerful executive in that series. In "The Employer", there is nothing 'almost' sinister about his character he truly is a villainous madman! I later did some research and found that McDowell stars in the infamous Stanley Kubrick film "A Clockwork Orange." (I didn't know that! Pretty impressive.)The story unfolds as five job applicants wake up in a locked vault, after being drugged. They piece together that they all are vying for a "life-changing" job at the Carcharias Corporation. We soon find out that their supposed last interview is actually set up as a kind of death match by McDowell's character, The Employer. What I like about this film is that it uses character dialogue and flashbacks to tell the story. It's interesting to learn how each individual ends up in their current predicament. I also personally like the character 'Billie.' She's a tough, hot, sexy, ass-kicking brunette! Actually, I find that all the characters have something to offer, even the sociopathic 'Keith.' It's like each character reminds you of a part of yourself - that you either recognize or are in denial of, haha.Plus, the thrills, surprises, and violence in the story are what you come to expect out of a movie of this genre - supported with a cameo by none other than Billy Zane! Enjoy!