Ferris Bueller’s best buddy Cameron has truly turned into one sadistically psychotic motherfucker.

It is notable to observe Alan Ruck taking on a role that differs significantly from the lovable hypochondriac we all came to adore from previous decades. Maybe this will turn out to be his next unforgettable role, one that people will remember for a long time.  

Corporate Retreat is a typical bougie layout of young techy professionals who run a billion-dollar corporation and decide to enhance their team building skills through a weekend at a Hollywood hills mansion. Stereotypical executives such as CEO Devin (Benjamin Norris), CFO Carl (Ashton Sanders), Chief HR officer Billie (Kirbie Johnson) and others arrive to the secluded estate where they are met by high-powered event leaders Amber (Zion Moreno) and Lola (Sasha Lane) who quickly confiscate their phones and force everyone to change into matching “uniforms”. Right away, employee Debra (Rosanna Arquette) stumbles upon a grotesque display of carnage which catapults this horror film into a frenzied realm of “Saw” meets “The Employer” with a large dash of “The Menu” in a “Would You Rather” environment, thereby hinting loudly at the bloodbath to follow. Cool!  

As the only non-Immaculate Pond Technologies attendee, college psychology student Ginger (Odeya Rush) was promised a romantic weekend getaway from her older boyfriend, Cliff (Elias Kacavas), a cocky legal consultant who didn’t consider the inconsiderate act of bringing his oversexed love to a company function. The participants gather by the pool to begin the “7 Gateways” to transcendence beginning with meditation. Gateway 1 is the most insightful and therapeutic stage, occurring before chaos ensues, but unfortunately, it’s clear the group is not 100% onboard with the pseudo-guru exercise.  

Led into a customized steam room which tests their endurance followed by a segment of poisoned hydration, the phases intensify the team’s fears of “what have we signed up for?” The dangerous practices increase rapidly into deadly zones of sacrifice, self-harm, mutilation and paralyzing panic. If this is all in the name of chakra enlightenment, what is to become of them upon failure to meet the criteria?  

Midway through the gateway levels, former CEO Arthur (Alan Ruck) virtually encourages these entrepreneurs to pursue liberation, reflecting on his own experience after being ousted from the company he founded. Chip on the shoulder or hiding behind revenge tactics through spiritual activities? We soon find out the depth to his depravity when Arthur proves his sanctimonious dedication to the process by partaking in one of the crudest and squeamishly icky challenges imposed on the associates.  

The momentum progressively intensifies with each addressed obstacle, aiming to achieve Arthur’s understanding of divinity—which reflects their ongoing struggle for survival. But all I could think of after this gnarly adventure into a gory spectacle of trust and control is…no more corporate outings for me, any time soon!