The latest American horror film to make its way over to British shores puts a new spin on the all-too-relatable experience of “retail hell” when young, shy, medical student Sam starts working at a local hardware store to make ends meet, only to find that everything is not quite as it seems.

Braden Swope’s turn in the director’s chair marks his first time doing so, making his feature film directorial debut at just the young age of nineteen. As a matter of fact, almost every single crew member, from the director and producers all the way down, was under the age of twenty during the film’s shooting. Though the age of the filmmakers may point to a lack of experience, and therefore a lack of quality in many cases, the results of these young filmmakers are right there on the screen for all to see, and many will most likely leave rather impressed by what they have achieved.

The picture is delivered with a dreamy, nostalgic lens that one can’t help but get lost in. It is not only a chance for Swope to show off his style as a director, nor for the camera team to show the quality of the visuals they have created, but also works to show just how outdated and out of touch an employer like Brooke’s Hardware Store can be (minimum wage here, lack of employee safety there, perhaps some satanism now and again). It is a fun critique of the modern workplace and eases the viewer into the world they are about to inhabit for the following hundred-plus minutes, but unfortunately, the fun stops there.

The flick does a great job of introducing us to the characters and the dangers of the world, but once we become accustomed to the ways of Brooke’s Hardware, just as Sam does, things become monotonous. It could be argued that this was a deliberate choice from the filmmakers to capture the joy that comes from finally being able to pay your rent and the dissipation that follows all too quickly, but there is no denying that it works against the film rather than for it. With a runtime of one hour and forty-eight minutes, Human Resources simply goes on too long, and the pacing of the film only makes it feel longer.

Following Sam and his colleagues trying to unravel the mystery that lies beneath the hardware store sounds entertaining in scope, but instead slows the film down to a halt. Though Hugh McRae Jr. gives a strong performance in the lead role, and Anthony Candell steals the show as their rather eccentric boss Gene Knibbs, the writing simply isn’t strong enough to maintain any real interest in what is going on.

That is, besides one fantastic scene, which truly captures the heart of the film. Just as the strange goings on around Brooke’s Hardware become too much for Sam to bear, he visits the manager’s office to hand in his resignation. Just as he makes his intentions clear, however, Gene insists that they need him. Furthermore, they deem him worthy of a management position and offer him the job right there and then. It is an expertly executed scene on all fronts, perfectly encapsulating the power dynamics and the manipulation so often used by employers to ensure that staff stay in place.

One must appreciate the ambition of the filmmakers involved in Human Resources. Regardless of age or experience, this is a first-time feature, and when the film works, it really works. In particular, the stylish opener, the blood-soaked finale and the scene mentioned above are fine moments that show what the young director and his crew are capable of. As far as satirising the modern workplace goes, Human Resources hits it out of the park with funny, clever writing and well-balanced direction. Where the film fails, however, is in crafting a mystery that can sustain audience interest throughout its runtime.

Human Resources is a fun idea and a terrific opportunity to see the beginnings of tomorrow’s filmmakers. It’s a little rough around the edges and far from perfect, but it is clear where the talent is and how it might be channelled in future to craft something even better. For today, however, the results are less than perfect.

Human Resources is out now on digital from Miracle Media 

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