One-location films are usually horror-centric. Films like Buried, Inside, and Saw have been a few that come to mind in recent years. Now Hulu has a new one-location horror film that has come down the pipe, and it has an interesting premise. I’m sure a lot of people can relate to this one. I sure could when I watched it.

Joe (Lil Rel Howery) is happily married and he has gotten a promotion at his job called Mallard. His wife is pregnant and has a little boy on the way. He goes to bed one night and wakes up in an open-air prison and has no idea how he got there. He finds out while there he has to work for his food by pushing a mill around a circle which gets him points and he has to accumulate so many points each day.

This film is a strange one. It has this idea about work and working for a company and earning your way. He meets a stranger who is a prisoner in another prison and they can speak through a vent in the wall. He gives him the lowdown on what he’s supposed to do and how he has to stay alive in this prison. A computer program that is projected on the way also gives him the information he needs to keep going.

As a one-location film, this one has some interesting concepts. It tries to tell the audience about the importance of work and being dedicated to the company you work for. It also shows us that employers can be overbearing and work their employees too much. Which I can relate to. I worked hard at all my jobs but most of them didn’t appreciate me as much as I was dedicated to them.

The whole concept of dedication versus appreciation is a hard one to quantify. This film says the harder you work means the more work you are expected to do and I think that is a wrong concept. Just because you do more doesn’t mean you should be expected to do more all the time. It just shows the bosses that you are loyal and want to show your loyalty by working harder. This concept is a misnomer from my perspective.

The Mill has some fascinating ideas about work, employees, and employers and how the world perceives this in our country and abroad. I have a tough time believing this concept the filmmaker, Sean King O’Grady and writer Jeffery David Thomas, are trying to convey in this movie. As someone who has worked hard his whole life, working more doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better for you. I’m sure many people will have divisive opinions on this film.

3 stars

Dan Skip Allen