“Bodies Bodies Bodies”
Movie Review
"Bodies
Bodies Bodies" is a black comedy directed by Halina Rejin and written by
Sarah DeLappe from a story by Kristen Roupenian. Starring Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bakalova, Myhala Herrold,
Chase Sui Wonders, Rachel Sennot, Lee Pace and Pete Davidson.
The
film's story follows Bee, a working-class young woman from Eastern Europe who
accompanies her rich girlfriend, Sophie, to a "hurricane party" at a
mansion owned by the family of Sophie's childhood friend David. Other guests
include David's actress girlfriend Emma, podcaster Alice, her oldest new
boyfriend Greg, and the enigmatic Jordan. Another guest, Max, leaves after a
fight with David the night before Sophie and Bee arrived. After drinking, drugs,
and dancing, the gang decides to play a murderous dark style game of
"Bodies Bodies Bodies". The play ends with Greg going to bed early
and David leaving after a fight with Emma. As the storm rages, the power goes
out and the girls struggle to find a power source. Minutes later, Bee discovers
a bloodied bumblebee with David's throat cut. The gang tries to get to Sophie's
car for help but finds that its battery is dead.
Greg
is suspected as David's killer after the gang found a go
bag with a knife and a map of the area. They confront Greg, armed, as he sleeps
in the mansion's gym. Initially incredulous, Greg realizes they are serious and
withdraws their hostility. After a struggle, Bee beats him to death with a
kettlebell. The gang suspects that Greg is the killer, and Emma assumes that
Max, who confesses his feelings for Emma, has returned to kill David. Sophie,
a sober addict relapses. To Sophie's confusion, Emma kisses her before
accepting the drugs. Alice later finds Emma dead from a head injury at the
bottom of the stairs and believes the group is being killed off one by one.
Jordan and Alice become suspicious of Bee, revealing that no one by her name is
on record as having graduated from her college; They pushed Bee into the hurricane.
Back in Sophie's car, Bee finds panties matching Jordan's bra in the back seat. She sees Jordan grab David's father's gun through a window, then crawl into the mansion through a pet door. Bee confronts the group and reveals that she dropped out of college to care for her mother, who has a borderline personality disorder. A heated argument ensued between the group. Jordan is revealed to be the "killer" in the Bodies Bodies Bodies game, claiming that Sophie conspired with Jordan to cheat on Bee because of Sophie's drug addiction and using David to get her trust funds back. Sophie reveals why she doesn't date Jordan, she avoids it because her friends' behavior challenges her sobriety, and Jordan reveals that he only "hates" Alice's podcast. After Alice responds by insulting Jordan's insecurities, Jordan shoots Alice in the leg. A fight for the gun follows; Alice was shot in the throat. As Sophie and Jordan fight, Bee pushes Jordan over the stairs. Out of breath, Jordan tells Bee to check Sophie's text messages. Bee hides from Sophie.
As the morning comes and the storm blows, Sophie tearfully
confesses to Bee. However, Bee holds her at gunpoint and demands to see her
texts. Sophie drops her phone and they struggle, accidentally taking David's
phone, which shows David accidentally snapping his neck while trying to open a
bottle of wine for a Tik Tok video. A distraught Max returns to the mansion and
the power returns as Bee and Sophie realize that the night's bloodshed was in
vain.
Sarah
DiLappe's screenplay risks alienating the audience by satirizing what at first
appears to be the film's core demographic. The humor is very subtle and can be
expressed in unpleasant ways. With social commentary on how the generation sees
itself, director Halina Rajin adds another challenge by shooting much of the
film with flashing lights. The unsettling atmosphere hides how a group that has
apparently grown up together delights in hiding secrets from each other.
A thriller-mystery-comedy is bound to be different from the
usual fare. 'Bodies Bodies Bodies' is unique in its presentation with a
predictable story and a fitting ending. Full of twists and turns, the
engrossing screenplay leaves no fear behind. With a tone that leaves the
audience confused as to how to feel about its characters and ultimately affects
your overall perception of 'bodies bodies bodies', the drama pulls you in on
top of the murder mystery, featuring captivating performances from the ensemble
cast.
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