Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Netflix has a new hidden gem of a comedy/thriller in Greg Jardin’sIt’s What’s Inside. If you’re familiar with the streamer’s typical output of horror movies, you wouldn’t expect much of this when you put it on. Rest assured, this is not only a big surprise but one of Netflix’s best films of the year. Jardin’s brilliant direction, fantastic visual style, and a series of brilliant performances make this an absolute must-watch.
It’s What’s InsideReview
It’s What’s Insidetells the story of a group of friends who gather together before the wedding of a member of the group. After a former, estranged friend (David Thompson) shows up with a mind-bending device, allowing people to swap bodies with each other, all hell breaks loose.
At first, you might be wondering ifIt’s What’s Insideis a film trying to ride on the popularity ofAmong Us, with people trying to figure out who the “impostors” are amongst the group, but it’s quickly made clear that Jardin has a much bigger vision. If you had control over the body of somebody you’ve always been jealous of or wanted the anonymity to hook up with one of your friends, would you do it? It leads to a fascinating exploration of internet addiction and the self-loathing that comes from it.
Bodies Bodies Bodies Review: A Refreshing Take
From the get-go, Jardin injects this with such style that you can’t help but smile at the creativity of it all. It’s full of quick cuts and stylish time-lapses, with some of its editing techniques so brilliant that they could be taught in school. As somebody with a keen eye for editing, I found myself entranced in almost every sequence.
The cast has a lot of heavy lifting to do since they’re all playing dual roles. Brittany O’Grady, James Morosini, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Gavin Leatherwood, Devon Terrell, Nina Boomgarden, Reinda Hardesty, and David Thompson all give their A-games as their delightfully complicated characters. As they shift in and out of their bodies, each actor seamlessly embodies the character they’re supposed to be internally. It leads to plenty of fun moments as you pick up on the mannerisms of the characters shared between the actors playing the characters through the body swapping.
It’s a slightly complicated journey, and it might require a second watch to unravel it fully. It’s helpful that at only a hundred minutes long (and supported by its quick cutting), this is a real breeze of a film. It’s like a more serious version ofBodies Bodies Bodiesthat’s zipping with even more energy.
Family Switch Review: Netflix’s Christmas Version of Freaky Friday
Kevin Fletcher’s cinematography, combined with gaffer Justin C. Ward, makes for a film that’s as visually arresting as you’d hope with its exciting premise and high energy. Motivated lighting be damned, every shot is lit with vibrant purples, reds, and greens. It’s almost as if Jardin arrived on set and told the crew to get as creative as they wanted to with every shot. You’d expect that to lead to a photographically confusing experience, but it only serves to enhance the final product.
It’s a shame that the ending doesn’t quite stick the landing. The pacing is fine for the most part, but when the real conflict isn’t delivered until the last 35 minutes or so, it quickly becomes clear that a little more time in the editing room would’ve served the film even better. It didn’t feel too long, but to balance out the frenetic final act, some stuff in the first two should’ve been shortened.
IsIt’s What’s Insideworth watching?
It’s What’s Insidesports the most interesting premise of the year, and led by a firm direction from Greg Jardin, delivers on what it promises. An exciting cast, a hilarious script, and a brilliant visual style all coalesce into a daring adventure in the body swap genre. It’s something that fans of all different genres can fall in love with, and a big surprise in Netflix’s catalog.
It’s What’s Insidestreams on Netflix beginning October 4.
It’s What’s Inside Review — Electrifying Body Swap Comedy is Excitingly Fresh
Cole Groth
Film/TV Critic
Articles Published :71
Hi! My name is Cole. I’m a twenty-year-old attending the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications. I’ve watched one movie every day since May 2020, with my all-time favorite film being Max Barbakow’s Palm Springs (2020).
More from Cole Groth
Dexter: Resurrection — “Course Correction” — Episode 7 Spoiler Recap and Review
Under Fire Review — This Action-Comedy Isn’t All Bad
War of the Worlds Review — A Low-Budget, High-Concept Misfire
Recommended
Timo Tjahjanto Shades Keanu Reeves Film: Why is Nobody 2 Not a Desperate John Wick Ripoff?
Why Is Sharon Stone Dissing Basic Instinct Reboot Despite Years of Clout? Details Inside
Anya Taylor-Joy and Meryl Streep Circling Same Role In Cameron Crowe’s Next Big Bet: Reports
What Did Justin Baldoni Say to Isabela Ferrer? Alarming Revelation in Blake Lively’s Lawsuit
‘Gintama’ Creator Admits New Movie Is “A tool for dirty adults to make a quick buck”
Nice’s Return Just Gave ‘To Be Hero X’ Its Highest-Rated Episode of the Season
Horror ComediesNetflix
