Movies
“Bodies, Bodies, Bodies” Is A Unfamiliar A24 Misstep
“When a group of rich 20-somethings plan a hurricane party at a remote family mansion, a party game turns deadly in this fresh and funny look at backstabbing, fake friends, […]
“When a group of rich 20-somethings plan a hurricane party at a remote family mansion, a party game turns deadly in this fresh and funny look at backstabbing, fake friends, and one party gone very, very wrong.”
Director: Halina Reijn
Writers: Sarah DeLappe, Kristen Roupenian
Staring: Amanda Stenberg, Maria Bakalova, Rachel Sennott, Chase Sui Wonders, Pete Davidson, Myha’la Herrold, Lee Pace
Rated: R
Release Date: August 12, 2022
IMDB
Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022) is a one-night slasher thriller mystery that pins a bunch of wealthy young adults against one another. These “friends” (loosely termed here) are all trapped inside of a mansion because there is a hurricane happening outside, and that natural disaster helps eliminate the plot holes of cell service and power in the house. Let the shenanigans begin.
So who is at the house?
- Sophie (Amandla Stenberg) is the last to arrive to the house and she has brought her girlfriend Bee (Maria Bakalova). The pair are a bit of an odd match. Sophie is a loud recovering drug addict and Bee is a very quiet innocent international student.
- David (Pete Davidson) and Emma (Chase Sui Wonders) are dating, but they are not necessarily happy with each other.
- Alice (Rachel Sennott) is a very free spirited individual who is “seeing” or “dating” an older man by the name of Greg (Lee Pace). It has only been a few weeks, but she is acting as if they are attached at the hip. Greg is a very macho and attractive looking man, which makes David uncomfortable.
- Jordan (Myha’la Herrold) is the single friend, and arguably the most judgmental of the crew. She has a lot of baggage with Sophie that gets unraveled as the mystery evolves.
- Max (Conner O’Malley) is the friend who left before the hurricane started
Alright, the scene is set, and character pieces are laid out. So how do you win the game Bodies Bodies Bodies? Well, you find out who the killer is, of course.
Bodies Bodies Bodies is a simple premise that is primped up by neon glow sticks, copious amounts of drugs, some celebratory shots, and ridiculous amount of self confidence from each of the characters. There is no lack of egos in this prison of a mansion.
This raises a question that I pondered while watching the film. Who are we rooting for in Bodies Bodies Bodies? None of the characters are likable, and that is not a mistake.The movie was written for the screen by Sarah DeLappe, and she took it from a story that was first penned by Kristen Roupenian. Both of these women have Bodies Bodies Bodies as their first major movie writing credit, so congrats is warranted for the pair for getting into the business. Though with every first attempt, there are things to approve upon.
There is no one to root for In Bodies Bodies Bodies. There are two relatable characters, and one of them kills the other one. The remaining relatable character is also not meant to be trusted when their backstory is revealed to be flawed. This non-rich “normal” person toys the line between being corrupted by the company they find themselves in and trying to remain shut-in and true to her introverted self. It is this character’s lack of communication that elevates suspicious among the game’s other players, and with good reason.
Despite them being the avatar for the non-rich, drug-addicted and rude audience, it is still hard to find any connection with this seemingly meant-to-be knight in shining armor. They are boring. They are the dull drums of the party. To be frank, they are me if I went to a party like this, and I get why people wouldn’t gravitate towards my own introverted self. Now, I wouldn’t lie about my past and pound someone’s face in with a kettle bell, but that is besides the point.
Nobody in Bodies Bodies Bodies deserves the benefit of the doubt. Everyone is meant to be a suspect. That is fair for a killer slasher who-dun-it. This being an A24 project, I expected some subliminal social commentary to be worked into the story. Something more than rich people are assholes are egotistical and can’t be trusted. Bodies Bodies Bodies doesn’t have that. It is not a Scream (1996), Cabin In The Woods (2011), Candyman (2021) or The Menu (2022). It is none of those things.
And then there is the ending. Come horror movies and mysteries, the ending can save the entire movie if it is good. Bodies Bodies Bodies does not deliver in its ending either. If you play close enough attention, the movie tells you the ending within the opening act.
**Spoilers**
Sure. This can be a commentary if you want. A rich boy kills himself by accident trying to show off because of his insecurities. This young adult ends up dead because he compared himself to someone else even when it doesn’t matter to anyone else. His rich friends can’t fathom that one of their friends made a mistake, so they immediately go at each others throats trying to pin blame.
The rich are blind to their own faults and don’t want to accept their consequences even when they are stupid. As a result, others get fucked over and become corrupted from the mindset of those who are unwilling to be humiliated even on a small degree.
Sure. This can be the point. But I argue, is it that compelling? This is not a new thought, and I do not think this concept was illustrated in an original way. If you pay attention at the start of Bodies Bodies Bodies, then you know what happens and the ending plays out more like the final slide of a long power point instead of a welcomed musical encore.
Taking a more macro approach, I will pose myself this question. Is Bodies Bodies Bodies unwatchable?
No. the movie is not “bad”. I would classify it more as “disappointing.” This is a prison that A24 has built itself. I expected this movie to be on a different tier, but alas I felt like this is on the same playing field as a good original streaming horror movie. I expected to be a bit blown away like Green Room (2015), Hereditary (2018) or Midsommar (2019). However, I was let down. I am not upset I watched it, but I wish my airplane trip ended with a happier not.
Also, can we stop pretending that Pete Davidson is super talented? He was not good in this. The best performance he has given is The King Of Staten Island (2020), which I will say is very good…but you look beyond that and I just don’t see the appeal.
I am going to end my word vomit with a cool Collider article that ranks all of the A24 horror movies how they see fit.
STANKO RATING: C+ (2.5/5)
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