Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Action horror film

Mayhem (2017): Cast, Ratings & Ending

Mayhem (2017) movie poster

Mayhem is a 2017 action horror film directed by Joe Lynch, starring Steven Yeun as Derek Cho, Steven Brand and Samara Weaving. It runs 1 hour 26 minutes and was made on a reported $2.5 million budget. Critics gave it 84% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10.

IMDb rating
6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
84%
Echo Score
71
Metascore
62
Loading streaming availability…
Mayhem (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 26m (86 min)
Director
Joe Lynch
Genres
Action , Horror
Original language
English
Budget
$2.5M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Mayhem About?

The premise of Mayhem without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

When a dangerous virus sweeps through a quarantined law firm, it unleashes the darkest impulses of those infected. Fired and seeking justice, Derek Cho finds himself trapped with a former client who shares his desire for revenge. Together, they navigate the escalating mayhem to confront the corrupt executives responsible for their troubles, as the firm descends into a brutal fight for survival.

Mayhem Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • virus
  • outbreak
  • mug
  • quarantine
  • nail gun
  • red eye
  • key card
  • snorting cocaine
  • ceo
  • scissors
  • sex in public
  • office
+38 more
  • corporation
  • infection
  • board of directors
  • golf club
  • falling to death
  • painting
  • urinating on a dead body
  • unsimulated sex
  • fired from a job
  • female topless nudity
  • violence
  • blood
  • punching
  • taser
  • fight
  • urination
  • police
  • making love
  • pistol
  • laptop computer
  • dismissal
  • kiss
  • murder
  • tactical team
  • woman wears coverall
  • coverall
  • negotiating a mortgage
  • red eye virus
  • sex at work
  • verbal abuse
  • woman crying
  • sex on a desk
  • isolated color
  • stabbed in the neck
  • blood spatter
  • some scenes in black and white
  • yelling
  • close up of mouth
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Mayhem Cast & Characters

Steven Yeun leads the cast as Derek Cho, with Steven Brand as John 'The Boss' Towers and Samara Weaving as Melanie Cross. Directed by Joe Lynch; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Mayhem

· 6 more
From the director

More from Joe Lynch

More films directed by Joe Lynch, best-rated first: Suitable Flesh, Point Blank, Knights of Badassdom and Everly.

Full filmography
Ratings

Mayhem Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Mayhem 84% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 71/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in story & flow (55).

71 /100

Mayhem Echo Score Breakdown

Mayhem presents a striking blend of stylized visuals and ferocious pacing alongside inconsistent narrative depth. The film’s direction and production design are frequently described as sharp and inventive, yielding memorable set pieces, though some observers note that those strengths occasionally give way to structural lulls. Performances are vibrant and impactful but are sometimes undercut by thin plotting and contrived dialogue. On balance, Mayhem stands out for its compelling sensory flair while offering a somewhat uneven story experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, Mayhem shines with a bold visual approach and dynamic editing that underpin its violent set pieces. Several observations highlight inventive production design and stylized camera work that amplify the film’s satire of corporate environments. Direction is frequently noted for its propulsive energy, though occasional lapses into frivolous staging can reduce the impact of some sequences. Overall, the film’s craft is largely compelling.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    Regarding character and emotion, performances in Mayhem are energetic and engaging, with leads delivering focused portrayals. Observers commend the chemistry between the protagonists as it fuels the film’s darkly comedic tone, though character motivations sometimes appear shallow. Emotional resonance is heightened by the clear stakes of the narrative, but deeper arcs are limited by the emphasis on spectacle. The net effect is lively but uneven.

  • Story & Flow 55

    In terms of story and flow, Mayhem offers an original premise with its corporate-quarantine setup but struggles with coherence and sustained momentum. Early pacing is propulsive, yet narrative focus drifts as the film prioritizes escalating violence over plot development. Several critiques note thin dialogue and contrived twists that undermine engagement. While the concept remains intriguing, the uneven pacing and minimal character-driven stakes lessen the story’s overall cohesion and impact.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    When it comes to sensory experience, Mayhem is marked by relentless sound design and vivid gore that heighten its darkly comedic atmosphere. The film’s visual style employs a consistent color palette to underscore its satire of corporate spaces. Observers note the soundtrack and editing amplify the adrenaline of action scenes, though some sequences rely on blood effects at the expense of tonal variety. Overall, the sensory impact is striking.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    For rewatch factor, Mayhem offers vigorous thrills and a brisk runtime that encourage repeat viewing for fans of stylized genre fare. The film’s energetic tone and relentless action maintain a level of excitement on subsequent viewings, though the thin narrative and limited character arcs diminish deeper discovery. While viewers may return for the visceral spectacle and dark humor, sustaining enjoyment beyond the initial visceral ride is somewhat constrained.

Plot

Mayhem Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Mayhem from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Derek Cho, portrayed by Steven Yeun, is thrust into a chaotic scenario as he sheds light on the ID-7 virus, also known as the “Red Eye” virus. This virus is wreaking havoc worldwide, targeting the neural pathways to erase moral inhibitions, thus driving individuals to give in to their darkest impulses. While it lacks lethal effects, those affected may unleash a hidden potential for violence, as demonstrated in the first known case where Nevil Reed committed murder, only to escape liability due to the virus’s influence.

Full summary

The whole story of Mayhem, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Videos

Mayhem Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Mayhem.

Mayhem - OFFICIAL TRAILER
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Mayhem?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the ID-7 virus also known as?

Cars

Cars in Mayhem

4 cars on screen, including the Boyertown Merchandiser and the 1990 Land-Rover Defender 110.

  • Boyertown Merchandiser in Mayhem Boyertown Merchandiser Minor role
  • 1990 Land-Rover Defender 110 in Mayhem 1990 Land-Rover Defender 110 Minor role
  • 2003 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter T1N in Mayhem 2003 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter T1N Minor role
  • 2001 Ford Crown Victoria in Mayhem 2001 Ford Crown Victoria Background role
Details

Mayhem Also Known As

14 alternative titles, including “Mayhem - Caos Sangriento” and “Caos Sangriento”.

Also known as
  • Mayhem - Caos Sangriento
  • Caos Sangriento
  • 메이헴
  • Эксперимент «Офис» 2
  • Um Dia de Caos
  • 大骚乱
  • מהומה
  • Mayhem : Légitime Vengeance
  • Súlyos testi sértés
  • 去死吧!老闆
  • Korpo
  • Vi Rút Cuồng Loạn
+2 more
  • Бійня в офісі
  • Z Inc. ゼット・インク

Seen Mayhem?

FAQ

Mayhem FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, budget, ratings and post-credit scenes of Mayhem, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Mayhem?

Mayhem runs 1 hour 26 minutes (86 minutes).

When was Mayhem released?

Mayhem was released on November 10, 2017.

Who directed Mayhem?

Mayhem was directed by Joe Lynch.

More films by Joe Lynch

Who is in the cast of Mayhem?

Mayhem stars Steven Yeun as Derek Cho, Steven Brand as John 'The Boss' Towers and Samara Weaving as Melanie Cross, among 10 credited actors.

What was the budget of Mayhem?

Mayhem had a reported budget of $2.5 million.

How is Mayhem rated?

Mayhem has 6.4/10 on IMDb, 84% on Rotten Tomatoes, 62 on Metacritic and 64% on TMDB.

Does Mayhem have a post-credit scene?

No. Mayhem has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app