Sheri’s Spotlight: BODIES BODIES BODIES

Remember Among Us? The phone game where you and your closest friends take turns being the killer as you take each other out one by one, then you all lie, cheat, and throw each other under the bus for survival. Yeah, remember that game? Okay, well now imagine if you did this in real life, but people actually started dropping dead and you and all your friends hated each other. Enter A24’s newest horror-comedy Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022). From Dutch director Halina Reijn (Instinct), Bodies Bodies Bodies supplies a fresh spin on the slasher-comedy genre.

Maria Bakalova (Borat Subsequent Moviefilm) stars as Bee, a young, working class woman who accompanies her wealthy girlfriend Sophie (Amandla Stenberg) on vacation to her best friend’s secluded mansion in the woods. From there we meet the rest of the small, yet stellar, ensemble led by Rachel Sennott (Shiva Baby), Myha’la Herrold (Industry), Chase Sui Wonders (Generation),  Lee Pace (Pushing Daisies), and Pete Davidson (Saturday Night Live). Obvious tensions exist in the group from the get-go, but it’s still quite light-hearted and fun— until someone suggests they play Bodies Bodies Bodies. As the film progresses, audiences bear witness as Reijn masterfully puppeteers these characters to their inevitable downfalls. Sitting at a runtime of only 1h 35m, Bodies Bodies Bodies is a well oiled machine that doesn’t stop once it gets going. While it’s not reinventing the wheel, this film makes a lot of new and interesting choices when it comes to horror and with an expertly orchestrated twist-ending that will leave you equal parts exasperated and amused— let’s just say there’s a lot here that’s sure to excite.

Sennot is a stand out as Alice, the vain, whinny, clueless party girl who would rather shoot TikToks than be of any use in a crisis. Hearing her use “Upper Middle Class” effectively as a slur, is an experience in itself. Herrold also shines as Jordan, the intense, level-headed, leader of the group who serves as a rather interesting foil to Alice. However, there’s not a single performance in this film that isn’t surprisingly deep and overall quite compelling— the comedic timing of this cast is impeccable.

Dark, satirical, and quick-witted, this film is a great time that doesn’t take itself too seriously and you shouldn’t either. Showing in most theaters around the city, Bodies Bodies Bodies is the perfect way for you and your friends to end a night out, or even start one.

🌟🌟🌟🌟/5