Severance (2006) 4K UHD Review

4 star restoration of a cracking dark comedy slasher flick.

Severance is a 2006 British comedy horror, co-written by James Moran (Cockneys vs. Zombies, Tower Block) and Christopher Smith (Triangle, Black Death), who also directs.

It is available to own in the UK on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD from 20th October 2025, courtesy of Icon Film Distribution.

“As I speak, our team of dedicated individuals are touring Eastern Europe, bringing the Palisade message to you and they couldn’t be more excited.”

The Palisade Defence group have been peddling their military wares in Eastern Europe and the bigwigs have decided that they should have a team building weekend in a luxury lodge deep in the backwoods of Hungary. A fallen tree blocks the road and when the coach driver refuses to take a side road, he falls out with manager Richard (Tim McInnerny – Blackadder (TV Series), The Aeronauts) and drives off, leaving them in the woods.

They set off walking, but when they find the lodge it is anything but luxurious and conspiracy theories begin to be hatched. Harris (Toby Stephens – Black Sails (TV Series), The Machine) thinks it used to be a mental institution, while Jill (Claudie Blakley – The Driver (TV Mini Series)) believes it was a re-education centre, both run by Palisade. Steve (Danny Dyer – Vendetta, Marching Powder) starts to tell his own version, but is rudely interrupted by the discovery of a human tooth in the pie just served up by Gordon (Andy Nyman – Wicked, Judy).

They decide they should leave, with full agreement from the other members of the group, Maggie (Laura Harris – The Faculty) and Billy (Babou Ceesay – Alien Earth (TV Series), Free Fire), however this may not be as easy as it sounds and apparently not everyone likes Palisade. There’s something else going on in these woods and it isn’t the bears that you need to worry about. Will any of them turn out to be a team player?

“There are no bears in Hungary…Well, that’s assuming we’re still in Hungary. If we crossed the border into Romania then there are bears and in Serbia well, I’m not sure.”

Severance is an extremely entertaining watch, a classic British mix of horror and comedy, which beautifully parodies office team building exercises and the corporate mumbo jumbo that accompanies it. The humour is very British as you would expect from the excellent cast, who enter into it enthusiastically and really sell the film and the horror is sufficiently gruesome to satisfy the gorehounds.

The special effects are good too, enhanced by the restoration and the buckets and blood and guts have never looked better. With a cracking soundtrack which sounds great too and lots of special features, this is a great addition to any horror fans 4K collection.

“What are you talking about? English birds ain’t complicated. You buy ’em a Bacardi Breezer and they’ll ride you like Seabiscuit.”