Magnolia Pictures has takenUS rights for Severance, sold by HanWay Films during the Cannes Market.

The horror-comedy isdirected by Creep's Christopher Smithand stars Danny Dyer and Laura Harris.

The plot follows an armscompany that sends its sales division to a weekend retreat in Eastern Europe, where they are attacked by war-crazed soldiers.

"Severance had me alternately laughing my ass off and gripping theseat handles in suspense," said Magnolia Pictures president EamonnBowles. "It's a fantastically entertaining mix of corporate comedy and slasher film-kind of like Dilbert meets Freddie."

The deal was negotiated byBowles, Magnolia's head of acquisitions Tom Quinn and head of business and legalaffairs Jason Janego with HanWayCEO Tim Haslam and director of sales Alex Walton.

Pathe will release in the UK in August, and HanWay hasalso sold the film to France, Spain, Germany, Italy and Canada as well as booking several Southeast Asian and LatinAmerican deals.

Severance ispresented by Qwerty Films and the UK Film Council in association with The Isleof Man Film Commission and is produced by N1 European Film Produktionsand Dan Films.