Ellen Toland joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias to discuss her role as Aubrey in Corporate Retreat, a horror-comedy that takes the idea of a workplace getaway and turns it into complete chaos.

Toland described Aubrey as the “smarty pants” of the group, a role that excited her because she had never really gotten to play the nerd before. She also shared that the film’s mix of horror, satire, and comedy immediately pulled her in.

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Playing Horror Straight for Bigger Laughs

While Corporate Retreat leans into both terror and comedy, Toland explained that the cast approached the material as realistically as possible. By playing the ridiculous situation straight, the comedy becomes even stronger.

She also talked about Aubrey’s mindset, describing her as analytical, observant, and someone who retreats inward while trying to figure out a strategy.

A Corporate Nightmare

The film also explores toxic workplace culture, paranoia, shifting alliances, and betrayal. Toland said corporate life does not always feel like the most trustworthy environment, which makes the setup even more fitting for horror.

When asked how she would describe the movie to someone who has not seen it yet, Toland kept it simple: it is a really fun ride for horror fans.