Corporate Animals

Filmmaker Patrick Brice’s wannabe horror comedy revolves around eight employees at a failing company and the egotistical boss who forces them to participate in a dangerous cave-diving excursion. Lucy Vanderton (Demi Moore) is the ruthless CEO of Incredible Edible Cutlery, a company battling the detrimental effects that plastic utensils have on the environment. To promote team-building, she has arranged a corporate spelunking weekend with Brandon (Ed Helms) as their guide. Among those participating are Lucy’s two assistants—Freddie (Karan Soni) and Jess (Jessica Williams), vying for the same major VP promotion—along with middle-aged Gloria (Martha Kelly), jaded Billy (Dan Bakkedahl), hapless Suzy (Nasim Pedrad), disgruntled Derek (Isiah Whitlock Jr.), and gullible intern Aidan (Calum Worthy). When a seismic tremor results in giant rocks blocking their only escape tunnel, the group is entombed in a large underground cavern with little or no hope of rescue. A “DAY ONE” title card indicates that their entrapment won’t be short and, when their food—a box of sample products—is depleted, the inevitable specter of starvation leads to an absurd debate about the morbid logistics of cannibalism. Superficially scripted and haphazardly directed, Corporate Animals is all about mocking the insidious dynamics of workplace politics and catering to a narcissistic boss, but it’s ultimately tiresome and inconsequential, a sub-standard subversive satire. Not recommended. (S. Granger)