Preston Barta // Features Editor
BODIES BODIES BODIES
Rated R, 95 mins.
Now playing in theaters.
If you caught the trailer for the latest twisted creation from the maddest minds at A24, Halina Reijn’s BODIES BODIES BODIES, you may be priming yourself for a juicy bloodbath. While the red fluids hit the deck aplenty, you may be surprised by just how razor-sharp it is. It’s a grand commentary of today’s social age – how we communicate with each other, seek attention, and disregard those who are not within our news feeds. It’s a depiction so brutally honest that you can’t help but nod your head in agreement: “Yep. This is exactly how something like this would go down.”
Some other films spring to mind, one more prominently than others. (Hint: a horror movie with a national holiday in its title, which isn’t the most obvious.) But Reijn carves her own path and winds up with a super, super smart and wicked whodunit. It certainly has my note for the year’s best screenplay so far. And Rachel Sennott is absolutely priceless!
In the film, Bee (BORAT SUBSEQUENT MOVIEFILM’s Maria Bakalova) joins her deep-pocketed girlfriend Sophie (Amandla Stenberg) at a hurricane party in a fancy, remote mansion. What starts as drugs, dancing and party tricks takes a dark turn when the group (also including Sennott, Pete Davidson, Chase Sui Wonders, Myha’la Herrold, and Lee Pace) decide to play “Bodies Bodies Bodies” – a Werewolf-like game of accusations, lying, bluffing, brainstorming and, of course, murder. However, it’s all supposed to be pretend, but then bodies really begin to hit the floor. Is someone with a hidden agenda taking it too far, or is someone outside the party bringing a storm of madness?
Let’s keep this short because you should know as little as possible going into BODIES BODIES BODIES. Just know that everyone brings their A-game and gets their time to shine. You feel the fear just as much as the characters. They sell it well, and Reijn builds a mood that’s authentic and effective. It’s a tightly-wound thriller that keeps you on your toes. You don’t know more than the characters know, making it more interactive as you see the group react to certain situations as one would if they were that confused by what’s going on. It’s about the corners that we’re backed into and how we respond when we are. And it all leads to one of the most satisfying endings in some time.
So, get ready to feel your blood pump and sweat run because you’re in for a terror-filled treat. It’s a blast from start to finish, and you’ll want to catch it again and again to not miss all the rapid-fire jokes and clever quips. It’s to die for!
Quick Highlights:
- Pete Davidson’s character’s jealousy over Lee Pace’s character’s machoness
- All the TikTok and social media jabs
- Subtle political jokes, especially about guns
- Everything that comes out of Rachel Sennott’s mouth! Seriously. She was fantastic in SHIVA BABY, but she really runs away with this movie.
- Lee Pace’s cool-guy, hippie vibe. He’s so chill about everything.
- How everyone has shades of gray. The film does a remarkable job of not making anyone feel angelic.
- Just how much range Maria Bakalova has. Coming off of BORAT 2, which is a whole other beast, and settling into this so naturally — she really is gifted. More, please!
- The soundtrack and score
- Just how far things escalate. It’s delicious!
- That amped-up feeling you have when the end credits roll. There are very few experiences like it.
- And finally…just how quickly you’re going to want to see screenwriter Sarah DeLappe and director Halina Reijn’s next work.
Grade: A
