Severance

Most of the action takes place in the present, as the Palisade team battles hostile poachers and a collapsing morale. The lodge's history is rooted in the early 20th century, when nerve gas was allegedly used to purge a facility, according to different witnesses. The narrative alternates between the modern retreat and the lodge’s dark memories, suggesting a recurring pattern of violence tied to Palisade.

The story unfolds around a crumbling lodge tucked in the Mátra Mountains of Hungary, where a corporate retreat spirals into survival. The lodge sits at the edge of dense woods, with a decaying interior that hides Palisade documents and a deadly past. The surrounding landscape is cold and unforgiving, confining the group to the building, its basement, and the nearby wilderness as danger closes in.

🧭 Survival

Survival becomes the central concern as a group of colleagues is stranded, forced to improvise, and pick up weapons against unseen threats. Trust fractures under pressure as traps, ambushes, and night terrors erode cooperation. The film emphasizes quick thinking, luck, and the price of staying alive at all costs.

🕵️ Conspiracy

The story hints at a dark corporate conspiracy surrounding Palisade’s past, with nerve gas and hidden facilities. Documents found in the lodge and whispered legends fuel a suspicion that the company manipulates events for its own ends. The characters’ attempts to uncover truth collide with danger and denial.

🔥 Violence

The tension escalates into brutal violence, with traps, decapitations, and a flamethrower moment that shatters any sense of safety. Each escalation tightens the noose around the survivors, forcing them to make increasingly desperate choices. The violence is presented as a consequence of power, greed, and ruthless pursuit.