Office Killer (1997)
A darkly comic horror-thriller in which a lonely proofreader turns workplace downsizing into something far more sinister.
Office Killer - Movie Information
- Original Title: Office Killer
- Release Year: 1997
- Directed by: Cindy Sherman
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Horror, Thriller, Comedy
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 22m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 3, 1997 (United States - R)
- Alternative Titles: La asesina de la oficina (ES)
- Production Companies: Good Fear Films, Good Machine, Kardana-Swinsky Films
- Production Countries: United States of America
Office Killer - Plot
When Dorine Douglas' job as proofreader for Constant Consumer magazine is turned into an at-home position during a downsizing, she doesn't know how to cope. But after accidentally killing one of her co-workers, she discovers that murder can quench the loneliness of her home life, as a macabre office place forms in her basement, populated by dead co-workers.
Office Killer - Trailer
See the darkly comic horror unfold in the official trailer:
Working here can be murder
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Office Killer - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Cindy Sherman
Main Cast
- Carol Kane
- Molly Ringwald
- Jeanne Tripplehorn
- Barbara Sukowa
- Mike Hodge
- Doug Barron
- Linda Powell
- Albert Macklin
- Michelle Hurst
- Paula Cale
Writers
- Tom Kalin
- Elise MacAdam
- Cindy Sherman
Producers
- Christine Vachon
- Pamela Koffler
Office Killer - FAQs
What is Office Killer about?
Office Killer follows Dorine Douglas, a timid proofreader at a magazine who is forced to work from home during a round of layoffs. After accidentally killing a co-worker, she discovers that murder fills the void of her isolation — and begins building a grim makeshift office in her basement, complete with dead colleagues.
Is Office Killer a horror film or a dark comedy?
It's genuinely both. Office Killer blends workplace satire with slasher-film tropes and a pitch-black sense of humor. Director Cindy Sherman leans into the absurdity of corporate downsizing culture while delivering genuine moments of creepiness, making it a tricky but rewarding genre hybrid.
Who plays the lead role in Office Killer?
Carol Kane plays Dorine Douglas, the soft-spoken proofreader at the center of the story. Kane brings an unsettling fragility to the role that makes Dorine both sympathetic and deeply disturbing. The supporting cast includes Molly Ringwald, Jeanne Tripplehorn, and Barbara Sukowa.
Where can you watch Office Killer?
You can rent or buy Office Killer on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It's widely available across digital platforms, so finding a copy to stream or download shouldn't be a problem.
Who directed Office Killer and why is it notable?
Office Killer was directed by Cindy Sherman, the celebrated American photographer and visual artist best known for her conceptual self-portrait photography. This was her feature film directorial debut, making it a genuinely rare artifact — a genre horror film helmed by one of the art world's most iconic figures.
Is Office Killer based on a true story?
No, Office Killer is an original fictional story. The screenplay was written by Tom Kalin and Elise MacAdam, with story contributions from Cindy Sherman herself. While the film's themes of workplace alienation and isolation feel grounded in real anxieties, the plot is entirely invented.
How was Office Killer received by critics?
Critical reception was mixed to lukewarm on release, with many reviewers unsure how to categorize it. Over time, the film has gained a cult following, appreciated for Carol Kane's committed performance, its campy atmosphere, and the novelty of Cindy Sherman's visual sensibility applied to a low-budget horror context.
What is the age rating for Office Killer?
Office Killer is rated R, so it's strictly for adult viewers. The film contains violence, dark themes, and macabre humor that earn that rating. It's not an extreme gore fest, but the subject matter — a serial killer collecting corpses — is definitely not family-friendly viewing.
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