Mayhem (2018) - Review

Mayhem (2018).  Starring Steven Yeun, Samara Weaving and Steven Brand.

Three and a half stars.



Shudder has been a godsend to those that were sick of how streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, etc, handle horror films.  In the years since AMC Networks started this service, they've built quite a reputation.  They became notorious for bringing back the much loved and sometimes belied cult movie host Joe Bob Briggs (who has also hosted this movie on The Last Drive-In).  But, they've started doing something that's a pet peeve of mine.  Something that all successful cable networks in the past and current streaming services are now doing (which usually leads to a decline).  They've entered into original programming.  To say the least, the results are mixed.

However, that's not the case with this badass-Shudder-produced flick from director Joe Lynch.  Steven Yeun plays Derek Cho, in what may be his best role since have his head beaten in on The Walking Dead.  Cho is a lawyer that works at a mega firm.  He's spent several years trying to climb the ladder, finally acquiring his much coveted corner office. 

 Unfortunately, he's being set up for a major mistake in a real estate case and he's being setup as a patsy for an error in a lawsuit. The major suits on the top floor, between martinis and cocaine binges, are going to let Cho take the fall.  So as a result, he's fired, losing his corner office and any other bullshit corporate perks he's amassed over the years.  There's just one problem:  the office has been exposed to a virus, ala 28 Days Later, which turns people into homicidal maniacs.  Cho catches the virus himself.  As a result, the entire building is quarantined.  To make things more interesting, this virus helped previously render a not guilty verdict in a murder trial, which was defended by a lawyer from this firm.  Realizing this, Cho goes on a maniacal rampage, fighting his way to the top floors to get revenge and/or his job back.  Along the way, he receives help from Melanie Cross, a victim of the firm's more nefarious activities. 

Mayhem can now be found on other platforms, including free streaming service Tubi (as of the writing of this post).