AAN Association of Alternative Newsmedia

Market Served: Metropolitan Area
Address: 16 W. Pine St., Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: (407) 377-0400

'The Office' Meets 'Sleepaway Camp'

Orlando Weekly | March 27, 2007

Oh, to have been a fly on the wall at the pitch meeting for Severance when the phrase "It's like The Office meets Sleepaway Camp" issued forth from someone's mouth. While perfectly accurate, such a description -- and it's the only apt one -- doesn't evoke the ringing of box-office cash registers. But who would have thought a zombie movie, "but really wry," like Shaun of the Dead would be so successful? Severance takes several cues from Shaun, from its cutting British humor to its cutting of limbs. The injection of office politics and middle-management phraseology, such as "team-building exercises," into a blood-drenched slasher flick is novel enough to make Severance stand out. Add a backstory that defines New World Order defense contractors such as Halliburton as the root of all evil, and you've got a winner.

Tags: Christopher Smith, Severance

Orlando Weekly

In America's theme-park Mecca, Orlando Weekly recently explored these themes: How a private group of developers pulled the strings that directed public land-use policies. How a millionaire time-share mogul made his money selling bogus promises. How an annual Gay Day...

More »

Contact for Reprint Rights