Um Dia de Caos

I'm sure most people working in a busy office environment have, at some point, had that waking dream where they go postal, slaughtering their colleagues in an orgy of uncontrolled violence (or is it just me?). In Mayhem, an entire workforce flips out thanks to the ID-7 virus, which removes inhibitions, allowing basic instincts to rise to the surface. Quarantined in his office building for eight hours while an antidote takes effect, recently fired attorney Derek Cho (Yeun) uses the opportunity to even the score with the company's bosses, knowing that he won't be held accountable for his actions. Together with a disgruntled client, Melanie Cross (Samara Weaving), Derek tries to get to the uppermost floor (where his 'superiors' work) maiming or killing anyone who gets in his way.

When a film is titled Mayhem, I expect just that: absolute chaos, with the sex and violence pushed to the limit. Director Joe Lynch's film has its moments, but for the most part I couldn't help but feel that it pulled its punches, never quite achieving the level of outrageousness that such a wild concept requires. There is plenty of 'stylish' violence, but it isn't all that graphic, while the sex scene between Derek and Melanie is completely devoid of nudity (clothes-on movie sex is so lame). Also, Derek and Melanie seem to be in complete control of their faculties when it suits the plot, which further undermines the basic premise.

With an excess of graphic gore and gratuitous nudity, this mix of The Belko Experiment, 28 Days Later, and The Raid could have been a classic; as it stands, it's not as good as any of those films. Oh, and Samara Weaving's scream is just bizarre.

This is a movie that doesn't take itself seriously and neither should the viewer. With that in mind, I found Mayhem to be very entertaining. Steven Yeun (a "Walking Dead" regular) and Samara Weaving personalities were both fun to watch and provided good laughs at the right moments without trying to be too cute. This film has lots of violence and blood which I suppose could be off-putting for some, but not coupled with a lot of unnecessary special effects gore, so I didn't find any of the scenes squeamish. All said, I felt Mayhem provided an hour and a half of solid entertainment and would recommend it as an above average watch.

This was a breath of fresh air and I loved every minute of it and to be honest this was one for the B list actors as A lister's I feel would have ruined it?

Samara Weaving is one to watch out for and will no doubt soon be in big blockbusters!! Great actress who very much looks like Margot Robbie but fitter and has more of a presents on screen. She did great in The Babysitter too. My new Favourite female actress for sure.

Any way back to the movie...

The special effects was above par for the budget and acting was solid all round!

I am sure if an A lister was in this movie it would have made it into the mainstream Cinema's and not just 'Film Festival'

9 out of 10

And far better than it had any right to be. Helped a lot by Stephen Yuen, who damn well ought to be in a lot more movies. Samara Weaving (very good in Netflix' "The Baby-Sitter") adds a lot to the film as well.

Think of it as a grind-house Office Space, and you won't go wrong. Lots of blood, profanity, and (oddly enough) the slightest touches of profundity.

Don't expect anything more than over-the-top violence, weird laughs, and blistering payback and you'll have a good, if low-brow time.

Excellent action film. The movie never slows down.