Netflix released another movie on Oct. 4 that shortly became the seventh-ranked movie on the platform. “It’s What’s Inside,” directed by Greg Jardin, is a psychological thriller-comedy following a group of friends who switch bodies.
When this group of friends come together for a pre-wedding reunion, a now-distant friend named Forbes (David W. Thompson) shows up. This self-inviting man, physically resembling Mark Zuckerberg and now owning a technology company, brings a mysterious suitcase. Inside is a “new machine” Forbes has decided to “keep to himself” until this night. Upon showcasing the power it has after instructing the group to place the electrodes attached to the machine on their temples, the group is initially startled.
Soon, they agree to play a game that Forbes plays with his co-workers: they all switch bodies and guess who is in whose. While smoking blunts and getting high, a common trope throughout this and similar genres, the group plays several rounds of this game. Events take several unexpected turns throughout the film, as someone lies about their identity, a relationship is strained due to insecurity, two friends fall off the roof while being intimate and more.
With convincing acting, a creative plot and engaging camerawork, this is a compelling flick and gratifying attempt at a complex psychological concept, although it was confusing and perplexing to watch at times. The filmmaking techniques were a prime highlight of this viewing experience.
Director Jardin decided to display his experimental cinematography multiple times during this flick. One style choice that stood out consisted of a long take, where characters Cyrus (James Morosini) and Shelby (Brittany O’Graddy) approach the door and are greeted by couple Dennis (Gavin Leatherwood) and Maya (Nina Bloomgarden) towards the beginning. As they hug, the camera pans and spins around them, creating a dizzying effect. Within the same take, this continues as other characters are greeted.
Just when you would expect this trend to end, it continues one last time when the camera follows Cyrus outside to meet his friend Reuben (Devon Terrell) on the deck. This stylistic choice is appealing to watch — maybe once or twice — but by the third time, the audience is just waiting for the plot to advance.
The effect further proves excessive later in the film, where the camera swiftly pans in circles around the group sitting in the living room. Emphasizing chaos as they speak over each other and appear disoriented while simultaneously giving the audience vertigo, whether it be intentional or not, may not be the greatest creative choice.
An effective technique, however, includes the color contrast used to display the character in each body. As two characters kiss on screen, for example, their true identities appear through a red lens, contrasting with the prime colorization of the film. Despite the fact that it could have benefited from minimalism, the editing and cinematography throughout this movie successfully further illuminated the chaotic plotline and twists.
An entertaining watch, the concept of this motion picture is almost absurd and holds the viewer’s attention. It touches upon themes such as social media and its standards, as the main character Shelby is notably jealous of Nikki (Alycia Debnam-Carey) and desires the attention her friend receives online; this is displayed through successful editing in the beginning of the movie.
Additionally, this friend group showcases their toxicity throughout this flick, as they use the game as an excuse and opportunity to hook up with who they physically find attractive, regardless of their current relationships. They take advantage of the fact that someone else’s soul is inside their crush’s body, and assume making a move would not be an issue — their crush would not know this occurred and could not prove nor deny it.
Disregarding the further vertigo induced towards the end, when the group’s identities grow more confusing and an intriguing plot twist is introduced, this movie is thoroughly pleasurable to watch. Director Jardin has great ideas visually, but limiting his ideas or approach moving forward could assist future lucidity within his films. For those searching for an unserious, psychological thriller movie, “It’s What’s Inside” on Netflix is an amusing choice.
4/5 stars
rross1@ramapo.edu
Featured photo courtesy of @brittanyogravy, Instagram
