Corner Office (2023) – Movie Review and Summary

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General Information

What Is “Corner Office” Rated And Why?

“Corner Office” is Rated PG-13 for profanity.

Film Summary

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“Corner Office” is a difficult watch that can so closely resemble the pacing of actual corporate work life that you’ll want to be at your corporate job instead of watching this movie. This dark comedy dives deep into the timid yet delusional mind of one man and his belief that he’s the best employee at his job—until he encounters a mysterious room.

All Orson has ever wanted is to succeed. In his thick but trimmed mustache and wire-rimmed glasses, Orson (John Hamm) does his best to avoid chit-chat, keep his desk tidy, and always go above and beyond. He truly believes that if he works hard and long enough, he can someday become a boss. Yet Orson’s dream is in danger when he finds an office room that appeals to him and gives him comfort.

Unlike the rest of the office, this special room is saturated in warm brown tones, has an empty cushioned seat, and is seemingly vacant. Orson visits this room to unwind and feel confident. The only problem is that no one else can see the room Orson visits. While Orson insists that the room is there, his coworkers like Rakesh (Danny Pudi) and his boss Andrew (Christopher Heyerdahl), tell Orson that he’s just standing in the middle of the hallway. Orson’s colleagues are increasingly disturbed by his behavior, and as much as Orson attempts to ignore the room that only he can see, it beckons to him.

“Corner Office” is told mostly through Hamm’s dry narration, with little music and dialogue to break the scenes. As our narrator and his view of events become more unreliable, the viewer may question if there’s a giant conspiracy against Orson or if we’re watching Orson’s slow descent into madness. It plays like a novel, and maybe it’s more effective as the initial short story “The Room” instead of this 100-minute movie. “Corner Office” may be billed as a comedy, but it never cracks a smile or gives space for a laugh. In the end, “Corner Office” feels like a long walk for a short drink of water.

Character Descriptions

Please Note: This character guide is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, and character descriptions may contain what can be considered spoilers.

Orson

Orson is a new employee at a dreary office job with plans to succeed and be the most accomplished employee. He’s stiff, antisocial, and sometimes overestimates his own authority by conducting himself as the boss. These traits are heightened when he discovers a room that no one else can seem to see.

• The actor is also known for their role in “Mad Men,” their role in “Bridesmaids,” and their role in “Baby Driver.”

Rakesh

Rakesh shares a desk with Orson. Rakesh is a pleasant colleague, but his occasional messiness brings Orson to his boiling point.

• The actor is also known for their role in “Community,” their role in “DuckTales,” and their role in “Mythic Quest.”

Alyssa

Alyssa works at the front desk of the building, and while she may not be part of Orson’s division, she’s friendly to him. Out of everyone that Orson encounters, she’s the only one who believes that the room exists.

• The actor is also known for their role in “Alias Grace,” their role in “Enemy,” and their role in “Cosmopolis.”

Andrew

As the boss of the company, Andrew attempts to keep the work and his employees in order. He struggles to maintain his composure when Orson challenges his authority.

• The actor is also known for their role in “Sanctuary” and “Hell on Wheels.”

Review

Our Rating: Mixed (Divisive) 

Who Is This For?

Fans of John Hamm and dark comedies may enjoy “Corner Office.”

Highlights

Unreliable Narrator Creates Fun Guessing Game

Some may watch “Corner Office” and immediately be suspicious of our narrator Orson; others may watch it and give him the benefit of the doubt. Either way, “Corner Office” creates an environment of paranoia and strangeness that blurs the line between reality and delusion. Does this room exist? Is what Orson is saying true? If the room does exist, what do we make of Orson’s other claims? “Corner Office” creates these questions without fully explaining the answers, but that can also create a discussion afterward.

Low Points

Slow Pacing Drains Energy from Story

I’m convinced anyone who actually works in an office would not want to see this movie. “Corner Office” is too similar to actual office life and its quiet yet tense peculiarities. Why would anyone who worked a 40+ hour week want to go home to watch a movie about someone else’s gray walls and flickering lights? The music is minimal, the dialogue is deliberately slow, and the action and emotion depend so much on Hamm’s narration that it can feel like a bedtime story to put people to sleep.

On The Fence

Orson as a Distant Protagonist 

Orson is not relatable, and not every protagonist has to be. Yet Orson’s grievances and mindset serve as a cautionary tale that keeps the audience at a distance. We are watching things happen to someone who takes no issue with ostracizing himself. Perhaps we’ve seen an Orson at our own job or have been an Orson in the past, but that doesn’t make a character who believes he’s superior to others any more engaging.

Recommendations

If you like this movie, we recommend:

1. Beau is Afraid
2. I’m a Virgo
3. Nightcrawler

Check out our movies page for our latest movie reviews and recommendations.

FAQs

Answers to some questions you may have regarding this movie:

The Reason The Movie Is Named “Corner Office”

The term “Corner Office” is usually what bosses or people in authority request at corporate jobs. While the office room that Orson finds isn’t a corner office, it implies the wealth and grandeur that he seeks.

Does “Corner Office” Setup A Sequel or Prequel?

No.

Does “Corner Office” Have A Mid-Credit or End Credit Scene?

No.

Corner Office (2023) – Movie Review and Summary

Overall

"Corner Office" is more effective as the initial short story "The Room" instead of this 100-minute movie. It may be billed as a comedy, but it never cracks a smile or gives space for a laugh. In the end, "Corner Office" feels like a long walk for a short drink of water. 

Highlights

Unreliable Narrator Creates Fun Guessing Game

Disputable

Slow Pacing Drains Energy from Story

Orson as a Distant Protagonist

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