MovieChat Forums > Severance (2006) Discussion > Am I the only one who saw this as satire...

Am I the only one who saw this as satire?

posted 15 years ago by amaefm
20 replies | jump to latest

It seemed fairly clear to me that this was far more a satire of slasher films than a run of the mill slasher with intermittent humor. I see this movie as brilliant, it managed to spoof the horror genre while at the same time providing a thrilling horror experience, unlike awful films such as Scary Movie which were simple top level spoofs for anyone without a brain. The satire in "Severance" is much more subtle, take the scene where maggie is hanging in the trap and steve is busy fighting the killers. Both scenes are ridiculously drawn out to the point of parody, she hangs there forever, as he just walks around in circles holding a knife, while she repeatedly screams. You may say this was pyschological torture, but in my opinion it was so far drawn out that it had to be a shot at the way typical horror movies do the same things. Steves fight is the same scenario, ridiculously long fight, it was practically the chicken fight from family guy, and all the while maggie is screaming in the background for far too long.

I guess I just don't understand why people are so critical of this movie and then cite how its just a typical horror movie and unoriginal... that was the point guys. It was supposed to be a typical horror movie, its genius lies in the dry parody of the genre. If anything Severance is a black comedy slasher satire, which is by far welcomed by me in a time of cinematic vomit like the saw franchise, and every ring clone that exists.

[–] pfgpowell-1 15 years ago

I think you're right. It doesn't take itself seriously in the slightest and there are some rather neat jokes. I am amazed at the number of people who have taken it at face value and are slagging it off.

[–] Ilovehandbagsandshoes 15 years ago

I totally agree with you. Thats exactly how I viewed it and really enjoyed it. I thought it was hilarious.

I mean, lets face it, they were extrememly thick. We knew they were thick, not innocent as in Friday 13th, Halloween etc, but true thickoes.

Within that context all the jokes made sense and just got funnier and funnier and as the danger increased, it did feel a bit like it was time to shout "He's behind you" like at the pantomime.

I loved the foot in the fridge scene. We have to ask ourselves, was he more annoyed because the foot wouldnt fit or because the beers wouldn't be chilled any longer.

It reminded me a lot of FARGO by the Coen brothers...

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[–] Sodominion 15 years ago

I definitely agree with the satirical part. And imo the movie was very subtle about it. And it wasn't a lame and cheesy parody like those Scary Movie series. It was in the vein of movies like "Hot Fuzz" and "Shaun Of The Dead" but more sophisticated, dark and gritty. And at moments it felt like a Coen Brothers movie meets "Dog Soldiers" with a tinge of Eli Roth's Hostel. I'm of fan black comedy and dry british humor and this movie managed to pull it off really well. This is definitely a lot better than those crappy survivalist/slasher movies that come out hollywood every year.

[–] audioguerrilla2012 14 years ago

Ever see the Bill Bailey sketch where he's talking about working for the Axis of Evil in a non-violent capacity?

I think there is an element of satire in Severance, merely in the fact that the psychos in this film have a genuine reason for wanting to kill our heroes, a point completely missed by all of the people giving the film bad reviews onh ere. Ultimately the film poses the question, if you work for a company that profits from death, don't you deserve everything you get?

Notice how, unfortunately, the first to go is the liberal woman who still works for Palisade despite being well aware of the bigger issues.

[–] Roddenhyzer 10 years ago

Notice how, unfortunately, the first to go is the liberal woman who still works for Palisade despite being well aware of the bigger issues.

Not counting the bus driver, the first to go was Harris.

I disagree with your interpretation, by the way. I don't think the movie was really trying to portray the killers as being justified in going after their prey. I mean, even in Jill's version of the story, the bad guys were portrayed as "kill-crazy" war criminals who had taken way too much pleasure in their work. Ultimately, the killers didn't go after our group because of revenge, but because they loved to kill.
Of course, that's not to say that there isn't an undeniable irony in the fact that the employees of a defense contractor find themselves in a situation where they have to defend themselves against aggressors whose weapons have been supplied by said company.

[–] psdhart 13 years ago

I agree with your post combatreview especially the arms corproation bit

[–] olirimes1 15 years ago

I couldn't help thinking that everything that happened after Steve eats an entire bag of magic mushrooms (on the coach at the begining) was really just his trip.. just wish they were always that good!!

"For God sakes, buy a better suit, you can come in here dressed like that"

[–] macphisto33 15 years ago

Careful, guys. The line between satire and parody is a thick one, easily distinguished.

Satire has something to say, parody is a spoof. They're not interchangeable.

[–] theotherone86 14 years ago

Yes, I saw it as a satire. A terrible, terrible satire. A terrible satire with tired, hollow characters, a pathetically "veiled" subtext, painfully obvious irony, complete lack of tension, awful comedic performances, flacid atmosphere, facepalm gags and a slack ending.
Well done British Film Industry, we've done it again.

Oh but hang on, there were REFERENCES. Awesome.

[–] backwards_pi 14 years ago

Absolutely not...all the reviews i read touted this film as genius satire and it was never thought to be anything but.

[–] theotherone86 14 years ago

Genius?

Seriously?

Genius?

[–] imothepixie 13 years ago

I think the whole attitude of this film may well summed up in the the spider sequence! lol 8^)

Arh! poor likle spider! 8^P

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