Joseph Hoyos

Having grown up in the seventies and eighties, I often crave an old-fashioned slasher flick, especially one that is set in the woods and the unknown killer wears a mask. “The Conference” is a Swedish treasure that is taking Netflix by storm. This slasher flick involves a group of developers who meet at a secluded resort for some team-building games. It is soon learned that the land upon which a shopping center is to be built was stolen. Someone wants revenge. One by one the resorts’ staff and members of the shady corporation begin dying. The kill scenes are creative and very brutal. However, what sets this slasher apart from many others is that the victims are much older than what we have normally encountered in traditional slasher flicks. Though some characters clearly deserve their comeuppance, the innocent ones will be rooted for as they struggle hard to survive a killer who definitely has survival skills and may have served in the military. “The Conference” is supposed to be a horror comedy but I swear I did more screaming than laughing. Some gore made me cringe. The ending is heart-warming. There are some survivors. Good triumphs and the sun comes out the next morning. “The Conference” is definitely worth watching if you enjoy bloody, outdoorsy slasher flicks.