A group of self-obsessed, sycophantic twenty-something-year-olds get together to play a deadly game. Sound familiar? ITโS WHATโS INSIDE attempts to achieve the charisma of other iconic horror comedies like BODIES BODIES BODIES, and while it does not necessarily achieve the same charm, itsโ premise and tone are entertaining enough to merit a watch, especially with a run-time of just over an hour-and-a-half.
The concept of ITโS WHATโS INSIDE is silly yet thought-provoking, a difficult but necessary dichotomy to achieve for a satire such as this. The psycho-technological gimmick (swapping bodies) that drives the plot is simple enough to understand and blends seamlessly with the editing, special effects, and set design. The visual experience is gratifying and thrilling, similar to TALK TO ME and MALIGNANT.
The โswapping bodiesโ trope also works synchronously with the filmโs message. Where BODIES BODIES BODIES preys on pure human incompetence, ITโS WHATโS INSIDE critiques the modern mix of crushing self-criticism and complete lack of self-awareness. Like the former, it works scarily well.
In a horror-comedy, an energetic scene-stealer is a must. With BODIES BODIES BODIES, it was Rachel Sennott, and in ITโS WHATโS INSIDE, Alycia Debnam-Carey delivers a riotous performance as Nikki, the gorgeous, out-of-touch, Instagram influencer.
The characters are one-dimensional. The tropes are cheesy. The dialogue is not particularly hilarious. The deaths are not particularly horrifying. And yet, key production design, casting, and writing choices keep ITโS WHATโS INSIDE amusing and true to its satirical nature.
If you overthink about it or look too closely, you will start to see its flaws. But, the satisfaction of this film comes from its experience rather than its content, working as a wonderful example that sometimes ITโS not WHATโS INSIDE.
Experience ITโS WHATโS INSIDE with a group of your funniest friends whenever on Netflix.
