IR Film Review: THE CONFERENCE [Netflix]

The essence of work structure and the context of team building is an interesting background for a horror movie depending on what the characters come to represent. in that way, "The Conference", a Swedish language slasher, does accomplish its mission. Set during a retreat for municipal workers in the countryside, the progression starts off innocently enough with some infighting, jelaousy and more than a little posturing. The key conflict here in basis is between Katia Winter as Lina, a woman dealing with stress and a possible trauma in her life and Adam Lundgren as Jonas, a ambitious and vengeful manager looking to make his bones and stepping on others to get there. One knows that it is just a matter of time before things start going south. A prank costume (and specific head) becomes an almost Jason-type approach. The way it keeps a certain persona a secret beyond the very end is actually pretty cool, if not a little finite.

The motivations of said killer are a little suspectand evasive but the dispatchment along the way actually ups the ante each time but brings it back to the main point in the end: the resolution or dissolution of work disputes. This film obviously plays it up beyond any necessary means but it does deliver in its own genre way without adding anything effectively new. The reality is that the approach is almost like a bunch of school kids playing, many of whom taunt each other while others stick together. One of the better sequences is an older couple, together and on their own who really characterize a new approach in this genre (which is not usually seen) because their response seems valid and earned. However despite some vicious killings by the psychopath, there is more a comedic bent despite the consistent bloodletting. In that way the tone is unique in many ways since it is not winking at the camera but instead leaning into the underlining bias among the characters. B

By Tim Wassberg