Office Space
1999 · Directed by Mike Judge
The documentary about your job, released before you had one. Every cubicle worker's secret religious text.
Why It's Cult
Office Space did modest box office. Then cable happened. Then cubicles proliferated. Then millennials entered the workforce. By 2005 it was a cultural touchstone. The TPS reports bit. The printer scene. "Did you get the memo?" If someone in your office has said any of these things, Office Space is responsible.
The Plot, Officially
In the Initech office, the insecure Peter Gibbons hates his job and the obnoxious Division VP Bill Lumbergh who has just hired two efficiency consultants to downsize the company. His best friends are two software engineers Michael Bolton and Samir Nagheenanajar, that also hate Initech, and his intrusive next door neighbor Lawrence. He believes his girlfriend Anne is cheating on him but she convinces Peter to visit the hypnotherapist Dr. Swanson. Peter tells how miserable his life is and Dr. Swanson hypnotizes him and he goes into a state of ecstasy. However, Dr. Swanson dies immediately after giving the hypnotic suggestion to Peter. Peter, in his new state, starts to date the waitress Joanna and changes his attitude which results in his being promoted by the consultants. When he discovers that Michael and Samir will be downsized, they decide to plant a virus in the banking system to embezzle fraction of cents on each financial operation into Peter's account. However Michael commits a mistake in the software on the decimal place and they siphon off over $300 thousand. The desperate trio tries to fix the problem, return the money and avoid going to prison.
Gateway Scenes
Act 2
The hypnotist scene, followed by Peter showing up to work whenever he feels like it.
Perfect setup and payoff. "What would you say you do here?"
Starring
Ron Livingston, Jennifer Aniston, David Herman
Where to Watch
via JustWatch →
