Coffee, Kill Boss

Coffee, Kill Boss is a highly captivating and improbably comedic 2013 film directed by Nathan Marshall and featuring notable performances by Eddie Jemison, Noureen DeWulf, Peter Breitmayer, and Robert Forster. Striking a fine balance between suspenseful drama and dark comedy, this movie envelopes the audience with its unique script, robust performance, and enthralling storyline.

The film kicks off in the middle of an economic crunch faced by a Los Angeles-based multinational corporation, Douglass & Quail. At the hierarchy's core is our protagonist, Henry Wood, brilliantly brought to life by Eddie Jemison. He's an underdog, constantly at odds with his superiors, who dismissively do not acknowledge his ideas or input. Henry is ignored, belittled, and disrespected, even though his brilliant insights could save the company from imminent collapse.

However, the company finds itself in the midst of another crisis as one by one, executives are mysteriously dying. The remaining executives are trapped in a meeting room, seized by fear and growing suspicion, a scenario that gives birth to a lively series of events. Paranoia starts to set in as they question whether the killings are a result of an external intervention or deeds of a disgruntled insider. The executives must confront their worst fears while they scramble to figure out who amongst them is the killer.

At the same time, the audience sees a delicate execution of the corporation's dark underbelly. Marshall smartly highlights the corporate world's dystopian tendencies — excesses, fraud, deceit, and infidelity. The internal politics, masked agendas, and futile power plays are masterfully displayed throughout the narrative, adding a layer of profound depth to the entire plot structure.

Eddie Jemison's stand-out performance is commendable. He perfectly depicts Henry's nervous energy, intelligence, and desperation to be recognized. Noureen DeWulf, known for her role in popular sitcom Anger Management, brings a fresh perspective as the fiercely ambitious and sly executive, Showanda. Peter Breitmayer and Robert Forster, with their seasoned acting prowess, bring nuances to their characters that are both exciting and appropriately ominous.

The interactions between the characters are crisp, sharp, and filled with sardonic humor. Despite the tense situation, the executives are comically focused on office politics, always looking for a way to climb the corporate ladder, even when their lives might be at risk.

The set design effortlessly lends authenticity to the corporate world's environment, while the cinematography adds a captivating element to the narrative. The director uses a steady pace that allows the story to unravel with the right amount of suspense and surprise. Furthermore, the blend of humor and drama grapples with an interesting theme: how far will individuals go to secure their position at the top in a fiercely competitive environment?

Additionally, the film is rich in metaphoric content. The title itself, "Coffee, Kill Boss," can arguably stand for the corporate world's daily grind, where a simple cup of coffee fuels the corporate machine and 'Kill Boss' might signify the undying ambition to overtake superiors, a concept not so foreign to the ambitious corporate world.

Coffee, Kill Boss manages to mix thrill, mystery, comedy, and subtle commentaries on office culture into a potent cup of cinema. This darkly comedic tale of corporate survival is a must-watch if you enjoy suspenseful dramas with an edge of not-so-light humor. The film fittingly nibbles at the world of corporates without descending into outright parody, making it an appreciable depiction of a reality that millions of employees in the corporate world experience daily. Truly, Coffee, Kill Boss is a sharp, smart, and eccentric examination of corporate life.