What would you do if you were stuck at a job you hated and had nothing left to lose? This is the question posed in Employee of the Month — a French horror/comedy debuting at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. The movie tells the story of a fed up worker at a company that sells cleaning products who, quite poetically, has a big mess on her hands.

 

The film follows Ines (Jasmina Douieb), an overworked, underpaid jack-of-all-trades office runner, as she makes one unfortunate decision after another when a horrific accident threatens her life and freedom. Reluctantly along for the ride is Melody (Laetitia Mampaka), a young intern who quickly finds the new gig is a lot more than she bargained for.

 

The film puts a spotlight on sexism, misogyny and pay inequality in the workplace (which are obviously very real issues). It tackles them in a way that is crass and shocking rather than thought-provoking. I have no problem with that per se, but if a film is going to take the very direct approach of “let’s just kill off all the men,” it needs to go ALL IN instead of towing the line. Employee of the Month plays it safe, so what could have been a memorable film with an important message feels more like a one-trick pony that drags on for far longer than its 78-minutes run time. If you're up for a film that feels like a very bloody episode of The Office, then this one's for you.