The Conference (original title: Konferensen) is a Swedish horror-comedy that blends workplace satire with classic slasher thrills. Directed by Patrik Eklund and based on the novel by Mats Strandberg, the film follows a dysfunctional group of municipal employees who embark on a team-building retreat at a secluded resort. What starts as an uncomfortable corporate getaway filled with forced bonding exercises and underlying tensions quickly takes a dark turn when a masked killer begins picking them off one by one. As hidden corruption, personal grudges, and office politics bubble to the surface, the so-called retreat spirals into a gruesome fight for survival. Mixing sharp humor with brutal horror, The Conference offers a blood-soaked critique of corporate culture while delivering all the slasher thrills fans crave.
The Conference sets itself apart by seamlessly blending slasher horror with workplace satire, creating a film that is both darkly comedic and brutally intense. Rather than merely relying on traditional slasher tropes, the film takes a sharp, observational approach to corporate culture, using its horror elements to amplify the inherent absurdities of office life. From forced bonding exercises to empty motivational speeches, The Conference exposes the insincerity, power struggles, and underlying tensions that often fester in professional environments. By weaving these workplace dynamics into a slasher framework, the film turns mundane office frustrations into genuine sources of terror, making it all the more engaging for anyone who has ever felt trapped in a toxic work environment.
The humor is both biting and painfully relatable, painting a satirical yet all-too-real picture of the social hierarchies and dysfunction that exist in many workplaces. The film doesn’t just poke fun at these dynamics—it weaponizes them, using office politics as a driving force behind the escalating horror. As the retreat unfolds, the characters’ hidden resentments and professional betrayals bubble to the surface, creating a natural tension that builds long before the first kill. This slow-burn approach makes the transition from comedy to horror feel organic rather than forced, and when the violence does erupt, it feels like a natural extension of the festering conflicts that have been simmering beneath the surface.
What makes this blend so effective is that the satire doesn’t undercut the horror—it enhances it. The film’s humor draws the audience in, making them laugh at the ridiculousness of corporate culture, only to pull the rug out from under them when the real danger arrives. By the time the killings begin, the comedic setup makes the violence feel even more shocking and unpredictable. This balance between humor and horror gives The Conference a unique tone that sets it apart from standard slasher fare, making it a standout in both the horror-comedy genre and workplace horror subgenre.
The characters, though exaggerated for comedic effect, remain surprisingly relatable, capturing the different archetypes found in any workplace— from the overly ambitious leader trying too hard to the disgruntled employee who refuses to play along. Their personal conflicts, fueled by hidden corruption and unresolved grudges, add depth to the story, making their eventual fates all the more impactful. The film uses these workplace dynamics to build suspense, turning mundane office frustrations into genuine sources of horror. The result is a slasher that not only delivers gruesome kills but also satirizes the corporate world with a razor-sharp edge.
The film starts off more as a dark comedy, skillfully leaning into the inherent awkwardness of workplace retreats. It takes its time setting up the dynamics between the employees, highlighting the forced camaraderie, passive-aggressive exchanges, and mounting frustrations that make these kinds of corporate getaways so unbearable. The humor is dry and biting, with moments that feel almost too real for anyone who has ever endured an office retreat filled with trust falls, icebreakers, and empty motivational speeches. This slow-burn introduction allows the audience to get to know the characters, making the inevitable bloodshed more impactful when it finally arrives.
However, once the killing begins, The Conference wastes no time ramping up the tension and delivering relentless slasher thrills. The shift from comedy to horror is sudden but effective, catching both the characters and the audience off guard. The slasher elements are executed with precision, featuring intense chase sequences, gruesome kills, and a rising sense of dread that keeps the suspense high. The film embraces the best aspects of classic ‘80s slashers, from the unpredictability of who will survive to the sheer brutality of the deaths.
What makes these moments even more striking is the film’s use of practical effects and strong cinematography. The gore is visceral, with each kill designed to feel as brutal as possible—whether it’s a sudden, shocking attack or a drawn-out, tension-filled sequence that leaves the audience squirming. The cinematography enhances the horror, using shadows, wide shots, and claustrophobic angles to maximize the impact of each gruesome moment. Rather than relying on cheap jump scares, The Conference builds a sense of dread through its atmosphere and carefully choreographed violence, making it a standout entry in the modern slasher genre.
One of the film’s greatest strengths is its ability to strike a delicate balance between humor and horror, making it an engaging and unpredictable ride from start to finish. The comedic moments are smartly woven into the script, serving as more than just throwaway gags—they provide insight into the characters, highlight the absurdity of corporate culture, and add a layer of satire that enhances the overall experience. Rather than diminishing the film’s horror elements, these well-placed moments of levity actually heighten the tension, making the brutal kills that follow feel even more shocking. The humor is dark, sometimes biting, and often uncomfortably relatable, especially for anyone familiar with office politics and the artificial camaraderie of workplace retreats.
At the center of the horror is the film’s masked killer, who, while not revolutionary in design, proves to be a menacing and highly effective presence. The character’s simplicity works in the film’s favor, keeping the focus on the suspense rather than over-explaining their origins or motives. The killer operates with a relentless brutality that keeps both the characters and the audience on edge, delivering moments of sheer chaos that feel unpredictable and intense. Their attacks are swift and unflinching, often catching victims off guard in ways that leave little time for escape. The film’s ability to blend moments of laugh-out-loud humor with pulse-pounding horror creates an experience that is both entertaining and nerve-wracking, proving that a well-executed horror-comedy can be just as thrilling as a traditional slasher.
On the downside, The Conference largely adheres to a familiar slasher formula, which may leave seasoned horror fans feeling like they’ve seen this story play out before. While the film cleverly integrates workplace satire, the overarching structure of the plot—isolated location, a group of unsuspecting victims, and a masked killer picking them off one by one—follows a well-worn path. This predictability means that while the film is undeniably entertaining, it doesn’t break new ground in terms of storytelling. Viewers who are looking for a slasher that reinvents the genre or subverts expectations may find themselves longing for more surprises.
Another issue is the lack of depth in some of the supporting characters. While the film does a great job establishing workplace tensions and personality clashes, not all of the characters are given enough development to make their fates feel truly impactful. Some exist primarily to serve as fodder for the killer, and while this is common in slasher films, it does limit the emotional stakes. A few characters feel like they had the potential for more interesting arcs but are instead reduced to basic archetypes—the overbearing boss, the disgruntled employee, the comic relief. As a result, some deaths feel more like standard slasher set pieces rather than moments that carry weight.
Additionally, the pacing in the first act might test the patience of viewers expecting immediate horror. The film spends a considerable amount of time setting up the workplace dynamics and tensions between the employees before the bloodshed begins. While this character-driven approach allows for some strong comedic moments and makes the eventual horror more effective, those eager for non-stop thrills may find the early portion of the movie a bit slow. However, once the action starts, The Conference finds its rhythm, delivering a steady stream of suspense, gore, and chaos that keeps the energy high until the very end.
The Conference may not reinvent the slasher genre, but it delivers a highly entertaining blend of horror and comedy that stands out thanks to its sharp workplace satire and brutal kills. The film’s ability to balance dark humor with intense horror makes it a unique and engaging watch, even if its overall structure feels familiar. While some characters lack depth and the first act takes its time building momentum, the payoff is worth the wait, with thrilling chase sequences, gruesome deaths, and an atmosphere of escalating chaos. Fans of slasher films and horror comedies will find plenty to enjoy, especially those who appreciate a bit of corporate satire with their bloodshed. Whether you’re in it for the humor, the horror, or both, The Conference delivers a wild and bloody ride that’s well worth the watch.
Scare Me Please 