The Employer (2013)

Bunch of "random" people wake up locked in a room, and they are all lying about themselves. Sound familiar? it should this movie seems to come out every few months with a different name, group of people, and relative story, but it is the same movie. Yes, I agree we are all very lucky to have Malcolm McDowell acting, and voicing everything, I just wish more of it was good is all. He plays the Devil, or God, or an omnipotent figurehead of one form, or another all of the time, and we have seen all of those characters enough I think. This movie just does nothing new, and for the most part pulls it's own punches, and comes up very short on the realism, or motive enough for most of these people to even be there. Not a good enough movie for what they had to work with. I did not Enjoy this, and I do not think most people will either. The webs are unraveled, and you no longer care.

This was truly a disappointing movie. When I read the description, I thought it would be something similar to that one movie about the test, where candidates compete with each other for a job position. I was expecting lots of twists and mind games that would keep me guessing who the winner will be. There was none of that. A weak plot with no explanation in the end. Characters also do not make sense. A strong muscular guy who gets choked to death with a tie who just got his head bashed in? He could have easily overpowered the strangler. Or how about a skinny girl who can easily disarm the muscle giant and pin him to the ground but cannot take on 2 defenseless person her size?Save your time and money for a better, deserving movie because there was nothing thrilling about this thriller.

"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!