Dutch director Halina Reijn makes her English directorial debut with Bodies Bodies Bodies, a horror satire focusing on entitled, imbalanced Gen Zers. A24 is known for giving new writers and directors the space to create unique and exciting films. Is Bodies Bodies Bodies the production company’s next big success?
What’s it about?
A hurricane is on its way, and a group of rich Gen Zers decides to shelter the storm together by throwing a party at one of their parent’s mansions. Sophia (Amandla Stenberg) decides to bring her girlfriend Bee (Maria Bakalova) with her to the get-together. Sophia doesn’t tell Bee that she didn’t let her friends know she was coming. The friends have mixed emotions about Sophia attending, as she had ‘ghosted’ them, with little communication since she left rehab.
Sophia’s unexpected attendance particularly perturbs Jordan (Myha’la Herrold) and Emma (Chase Sui Wonders). Alice (Rachel Sennott), the group’s mediator, and David (Pete Davidson), Sophia’s best friend and party host, smooths things out. They proceed to have an alcohol and cocaine-fueled party while weathering the storm. Bee is enjoying herself while unknowingly making Sophia jealous by dancing with Jordan.
It is at this point that Sophia suggests that the group stops the party to play the game Bodies Bodies Bodies. Bodies Bodies Bodies is a murder mystery in which one person is assigned the role of the killer who stalks the others throughout the house under cover of darkness. When someone discovers a victim, they yell “bodies bodies bodies!” and the lights turn on. The group must then identify the killer.
This murder mystery game should be a lot of fun. Unfortunately, someone in the group is murdered for real. Now the group must find out whom the real-life killer is while avoiding being the next victim.
My Reaction
A modern take on a whodunnit, Bodies Bodies Bodies has the task of pulling off believable horror while masking the killer to the very end. The film’s setup is done so that everyone has a plausible reason for wanting to go on a murderous rampage. Even Greg (Lee Pace), Alice’s older, zen boyfriend, can believably be the killer. The strength of whodunnit films is misdirection, and Bodies Bodies Bodies provides this in droves.
There is also the slasher-horror angle of the film. You witness these Gen-Zers commit every stereotypical sin of the slasher genre. They constantly split up, investigate sounds and creaks alone, and never leave the site where the mayhem occurs. With almost 50 years of the slasher-horror archetype, these overplayed cliches of the genre are increasingly more challenging to pull off. Usually, my eyes glaze over when a contrived argument causes the group to split when a known killer is on the loose. However, Bodies Bodies Bodies has enough setup to make these actions believable. First of all, these 20-year-olds are drunk, and most are coked out of their minds. They also are stuck at the house because a natural disaster is taking place outside. Couple their inebriation, a hurricane, and a killer amongst their ranks, and it makes sense why over a decade of friendship quickly unravels.
Speaking of cocaine, I was surprised by the amount of drugs being used. It seemed like a strange decision when it was accepted that members of Gen Z are far less likely to abuse hard drugs. But it appears that the original studies absolving Gen Z from drug use are out of touch. Apparently, newer studies show that Gen Z has higher risks of addiction, with loneliness, unhealthy relationships with social media and depression cited as reasons.
So Gen Z is less iCarly and more Euphoria. Got it.
“Repress those feelings, you oversensitive kids! Get off my lawn while you’re at it!”
The movie also takes aim at popular language associated with wokeism. Triggering, gaslighting, ally, and other phrases are used to comedic effect throughout the film. Sometimes it works, and other times, the joke gets lost. True, Gen Z sometimes uses these words more as trends than substance. Still, I appreciate that useful language can help them express emotions. This may seem funny to older generations. “Repress those feelings, you oversensitive kids! Get off my lawn while you’re at it!” But isn’t that why some of us are a bit messed up now?
Still, the satirical elements of Bodies Bodies Bodies work more often than not. A very believable cast helps it. Amandla Stenberg anchors the cast and comes off as vulnerable and deserving of empathy, which you wouldn’t expect from a horror comedy. Pete Davidson basically plays himself, which is what you would want from him in this role.
However, the gems of the movie are Myha’la Herrold and the academy-nominated Maria Bakolova (Borat Subsequent Moviefilm). I’m looking forward to seeing both in future projects. Herrold, especially, could make a name for herself within horror. Also, credit to director Halin Reijn for giving the actors space to operate in this world while successfully creating a psychedelic tone through her shooting angles and filtered lights.
Overall Rating
Bodies Bodies Bodies is not scary. I don’t think it wants to be. It is too busy doing exciting character work and satirizing Gen Z culture. It is often successful in both regards, leaving you invested in solving the mystery of the film’s killer. Although it falls short on horror, it succeeds in humor, thrills, and a surprising melodrama. It even provides an important life lesson: If you are partying with a bunch of 20-year-olds during a raging hurricane, maybe leave the nose candy at home.
