I was starting to think we were near the end of the surprise horror gems of the year. So, my hopes were low as I watched random 2024 movies on Netflix earlier this week. This is why I am happy to report that I was pleasantly surprised by a fun sci-fi comedy horror called It’s What’s Inside. This little nugget of well-timed serotonin was written and directed by Greg Jardin. It has body switching, betrayal, and twists for days. This delightfully deceitful title should definitely be on your hit list this Halloween season.
It’s What’s Inside follows a group of friends gathered for a pre-wedding party that spirals into a messy nightmare. The unhappy couples, buried secrets, and hidden desires come to the forefront when one of the friends arrives with a game. The mysterious game allows the group to switch bodies with each other. What starts out as a fun activity soon turns into a deadly nightmare that changes their group dynamic forever.
Guess Who, But Make It Clue
I knew nothing about this movie so figured we would be following the doomed couple we met in the opening. Shelby (Brittany O’Grady) seems to be the last person to know that her boyfriend (James Morosini) is not that into her. While their situationship does play a part in the evening’s events, we soon discover no one in this group is what they seem on the surface.
I especially love this because most of the cast has played some version of their originally assigned character for years now. So, Jardin’s script incorporating the challenge of playing various characters inhabiting their character bodies, allowed them to remind us they are capable of more than what they are usually given. This is also extra spicy as people begin to use these borrowed bodies to make moon eyes at the people they actually want to be with or pursue the affairs they have dreamed of for years.
The cast does an amazing job of staying on top of character habits, speech patterns, etc. It was like sitting in a giant acting workshop whenever they switched bodies. It also made it fun trying to figure out who was inside of who before the rest of the group. However, I still got lost and was confused about who actually died. I think that is a me problem, and I would like to blame it on all the medicine I was on when I watched this. However, it is a great problem because now I have a reason to rewatch It’s What’s Inside and take better mental notes. Although I planned on doing this anyway because they snuck a huge twist by me. I feel like I missed some blatant clues and want to go back in ASAP.
It Is A Sprint, Not A Marathon
I know the runtime is one hour and forty-three minutes. However, It’s What’s Inside flew by. Whenever I thought about checking the time there would be a new round of the game, a new complication, or a revelation that made me lean further in. Where most movies have been overstaying their welcome lately, this one uses almost every second and leaves you wanting more. Bravo to Jardin for understanding pacing and knowing when a story is done. Part of the reason It’s What’s Inside is such a pleasant surprise is because it keeps pushing forward. It trusts the audience is smart enough to follow along or catch up and does not waste time overexplaining things. It knows what parts of the story deserve weight instead of luxuriating in every scene.
It’s What’s Inside is a fun and twisty ride that always has a few cards hidden up its sleeve. I am serious when I say this is one of the best things I have found on Netflix in months. I would not be surprised if it ended up in a few best-of-the-year lists. It stands out simply because it is such a refreshing change of pace. We have a lot of heavy horror, so it is nice to occasionally get something that simply wants to bring the fun. It is also just kind of a brilliant script. If you’re still subscribed to Netflix and are struggling to remember why, this movie should be your next watch.
