Club Benefits
I’ve been a devoted fan of the now-iconic movie "Office Space" since I started my first corporate gig, a job defined by its share of beige cubicle walls, jam-prone printers and aggressively mediocre free coffee. There is a certain catharsis in watching Peter Gibbons stick it to the man, and for years, I thought it was the definitive word on the 90-to-5 grind. Yet, despite how perfectly that film skewers the corporate machine, I’ve come to realize there is another movie that outshines it, at least in my opinion.
Directed by Jill Sprecher, "Clockwatchers" is a masterclass in the quiet desperation of the workplace. While "Office Space" goes for the broad, satirical jugular, this film focuses on the marginalized lives of four women working as temps for a nondescript credit company. They exist on the fringes of the office social hierarchy, unmoored and undervalued, until they find themselves swept up in the escalating drama of an office thief.
What is 'Clockwatchers' about?
The film opens on Iris (Toni Collette), a shy new temp standing silently before a man as he flips through a magazine. Once the clock strikes 9:00, he ushers her to a desk where she is promptly ignored for most of the day. This isolation is underscored when the irritating office manager, Barbara (Debra Jo Rupp), finally sets her to work. Iris is so disconnected from the "permanent" culture that she resorts to eating her lunch alone in a bathroom stall.
The next day, the cynical Margaret (Parker Posey) takes Iris on an office tour, introducing the "connected disconnection" of their world. We meet Art (Stanley DeSantis), who obsessively monitors supplies — notably watching Iris through the distorted lens of a water cooler — and the awkward executive Milton Lasky (Bob Balaban), who barks requests while rushing past. Soon, Iris finds her tribe in two other temps: Paula (Lisa Kudrow), an aspiring actress, and Jane (Alanna Ubach), whose impending marriage seems increasingly fragile.
Bonded by their temporary status, the four form a sanctuary of friendship, sneaking away for drinks to survive the monotony. However, the arrival of a "new" new girl, Cleo (Helen FitzGerald), creates immediate friction. Unlike the others, Cleo is a permanent hire, a slight that deeply stings Margaret.
The friendship truly begins to fray when items start disappearing around the office. What begins with rubber band balls and shoes escalates to more expensive thefts, and the office naturally casts a suspicious eye on the four temps. As the weight of these unspoken accusations grows, the bond between the women is tested, leaving us to wonder if their friendship can survive the pressure of being the permanent outsiders.
Why you should watch 'Clockwatchers'
With thought-provoking narration by Toni Collette and subtle, stunning cinematography, "Clockwatchers" captures the essence of office life with a touch of humor that never feels forced. I’ve watched this film countless times, and with every viewing, I notice new subtleties — tiny details that only resonate stronger the more you see them.
Our modern era has largely moved away from the specific temp staffing agencies featured in the film, but the emotional core remains relevant. If you’ve ever felt like a ship passing in the night at work, never quite connecting with those around you, this movie is for you. You don’t need to have been a temp to relate to these women and their lack of feeling like an appreciated part of the machine.
It’s perhaps unfair to compare the cult classic "Office Space" (1999) to this film, as the tones are vastly different. But while "Office Space" provides the laughs, "Clockwatchers" provides a more thoughtful, buoyant and reflective look at the human condition. Margaret’s sarcastic remarks remain a highlight, such as when she notes, "The only real challenge with this job is trying to look busy when there's nothing to do."
Yet, it’s the solemn observations from Iris that stick with you: "Sometimes it hits you how quickly the present fades into the past, and you question everything around you." If you’ve missed this gem and you're a fan of reflective, witty, office-based cinema, add "Clockwatchers" to your queue immediately.
Watch "Clockwatchers" on Prime Video
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