Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)
This is not a safe space.
Starring: Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bakalova, Myha'la Herrold, Chase Sui Wonders, Rachel Sennott, Lee Pace & Pete Davidson
Director: Halina Reijn
Written by: Sarah DeLappe
Released: August 5, 2022
Budget: $3 million
Box office: $14 million
Distributed: A24
A24 has made a name for itself with its innovative, boundary-pushing, and stylistic releases, especially within horror, so whenever I hear about an upcoming film produced by them, my ears immediately perk up and I wait in anticipation for a trailer.
Bodies Bodies Bodies was a film I was very interested in seeing, largely because it was categorised as a slasher. Since Halloween (2018), it felt like we were in a bit of a slasher resurgence ala the late 90s and 2000s remakes, so as a massive fan of the sub-genre, I was feeling pretty happy about adding another to the slasher basket.
But did it live up to my expectations?
SILENCE!!! Let’s talk about Bodies Bodies Bodies
Alice (Rachel Sennott) in Bodies Bodies Bodies
This film is an unashamed Gen-Z, post-social-media internet-age film.
While most millennials and older generations may groan at the current lingo and behaviour (that we may feel out of touch with), this film does a great job of embracing it and satirising it.
These characters have as much characterisation as an Instagram bio, but that’s the whole point. I don’t think we are supposed to know much about them or follow any character arcs. The story development is presented through their group dynamics, which are clearly fractured and not as picture-perfect and TikTok-filtered once true feelings are revealed. Throw money, drugs, and alcohol in the mix and you have a recipe for disaster.
Speaking of disaster, the storm was a great way to isolate them, restrict their access to technological resources, and add an extra spooky element by making it darker.
What I applaud the film for doing is creating mystery around many characters. There’s this mystery guy Max that we keep hearing about but never meet until the end. Bee is an outcast to the group so we wonder what’s her motive. Greg is some random guy Alice has known for two weeks and everyone acts super awkward around Sophie…so we can only wonder what’s up. It grips you into wondering what the hell is truly going on here. Even though this is a whodunnit, Agatha Christie-esque mystery, I was never clued up enough to pinpoint any suspects. Instead, I had to base my suspicions on other characters’ suspicions and because they are such unreliable narrators, it only made me more confused, which I strangely enjoyed being lol 😅.
I enjoyed the bodies game portion. It seems like a lot of fun and something I would’ve suggested to play in my partying days. Of course, I’d make sure to have some glow stick necklaces and bangles too.
Alice had some of the funniest 🤣 lines from the script (unless Rachael Sennott improvised) it had me laughing out loud - “Oh my god you’re doing it, you’re swallowing”; “he’s a libra ♎️ moon 🌙 that says a lot”; “you’re silencing me”’; “I’ve never been shot before, it’s really fucking hurts.” The delivery of her lines was perfect and helped to provide some much-needed comic relief amidst some awkward moments.
The jargon and lingo used very commonly today (especially online) such as toxic, gaslighting, triggered, ally, narcissist and so many others were used well in the dialogue. It was the pepper and salt needed to enhance the satirical and comedic points the film was trying to make.
Once shit started happening and characters started dying/being murdered it got more and more chaotic. The score used in certain sequences was an interesting sound that complimented the chaos. Watching these characters worsen the situation was quite infuriating, but I’m sure that was the director’s intention. None of them listened to each other, but you bet they made it very clear they wanted to be heard.
The plot twist ending was such a fun oh my word, you’re not serious moment that wrapped this film in its silly little bow.
Overall I enjoyed this film for what it was trying to serve me. I wouldn’t say I’d go back for repeat helping, but I can appreciate this as a unique experience. I would recommend this film, especially to someone who understands and appreciates satire. This movie doesn’t take itself seriously and isn’t asking the audience to either, instead it just has fun with its ridiculous characters and the even more ridiculous plot twist at the end. It’s acted really well and uses its ensemble cast well to explore very strained and fractured dynamics that resemble those of out-of-touch young adults.
I give this film 3.5 glow sticks out of 5.
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