Bodies Bodies Bodies

This was enjoyable from start to finish, and I don't get the negative reviews, particularly those whining about Gen Z; this isn't just Gen Z, it's any group of rich kids having a party that goes very wrong in any generation, with the same behaviors and reactions any of them would have exhibited in any generation, of course with minor differences. So enough about that.

I also did not expect a typical slasher movie when I started watching this, and the marketing I saw didn't depict it that way, so I don't get the whining about it not being a slasher movie or even a horror movie; it does fall into that genre though, so enough about that.

The actors are smart and behave like real people, and the story is clever, especially the twist at the end. There are no dull moments unless you aren't interested in character development or storyline, so in that case go watch Friday the 13th and leave this film for the rest of us who can appreciate it.

When A24 released the first trailer for one of their newest films, Bodies Bodies Bodies, I wasn't sure what to make of it. It felt almost like Scream, but with a modern spin, and while I can say it's not that, this is an enjoyable film if you know what you're in for. It won't be for everyone though, as this film is loaded with subject matter that will turn certain viewers off. All I will say is that it's worth watching, even if you're not enjoying yourself and I'll explain why. You don't have to rush out and see Bodies Bodies Bodies, but here's why it's worth a watch.

During a hurricane, a group of young adults party in their friend's mansion, while doing drugs and drinking a lot of alcohol. Not in their right mind, they decide to play a game that requires the skill of trying to find the killer. Things go very wrong though when one of them actually turns up dead. Trying to figure out who the killer is, this group lets out many bottled-up emotions and continuously backstab each other. This makes for some entertaining scenes of heavy dialogue, but it also works against the film in my opinion. The banter/arguing between characters is nearly half of what this film is, but I get that it was meant to be tongue and cheek. It just didn't quite do it for me all the time. In fact, if it wasn't for the ending, I'm not even sure I'd be talking highly about this film at all.

About halfway through the film, I wasn't even sure who to root for, even though I knew which characters the film wanted me to care about the most. The mystery always kept me on the edge of my seat, having no idea who the killer was, but I also wasn't sure I even cared that much. With that said, the way this film wraps up is one of my favourite few minutes of the year. Yes, I loved the ending that much. The issue is though, I don't think the rest of the film was enjoyable enough to say that I loved it overall. I will gladly watch this film over and over again with people who haven't seen it though. This is the type of film that has a reveal that comes out of nowhere and I couldn't get enough of it.

Overall, Bodies Bodies Bodies has some fun dialogue and Halina Reijn's directing work (which I have yet to see, until now) was also very commendable. It's just a fun horror/comedy that's not supposed to be taken as anything more. If it was that from start to finish, I'd barely give this film a pass because I just mildly enjoy myself. Again though, it's all about that ending for me. When the film finished, I thought back through the film and it worked a lot better for me. Some people may not like it as much as I did, but I wanted to stand up and cheer for the writers on this one, Sarah DeLappe crafted one hell of a twist. Bodies Bodies Bodies is now playing in select theatres, and while I do recommend it, this can easily be watched at home.

Anyone reviewing this as vapid and shallow and claims it has a predictable ending is missing the entire point of the film.

The characters are of course absurdist representations of not only current youth but also humanity as a whole.

This is not meant to be a horror film that reinvents the wheel. It's meant to be a discussion of how we as a culture have warped our relationship with information, specifically technologically. It's meant to represent how we gather and receive unsound information, react impulsively, and create destruction while doing so, whether to ourselves or others. Understandably, the movie isn't TOO heavy handed in its approach as to not come across as preachy, but I think the message is clear and the film conveys it in a way that's fun and entertaining. I mean, come on, it's A24. If you're showing up expecting a by the books slasher, you've come to the wrong place. I think that's more of an expectation setting problem than it should be a knock at the film.

I keep seeing negative reviews for this film and don't understand why? A lot of people used the word "boring" while it literally can't be used to describe it. Simple? Sure. Dumb? Yes. Boring? Hell no.

It's a typical popcorn horror to watch with friends and have fun. The "who done it" comes into full effect while everyone contributes in their own way. The movie doesn't take itself too seriously and makes fun of social tropes. If that's not your thing, I understand, but it is in no way boring.

The pace is pretty good, acting performances are solid, very intense and keeps your attention. I had a good laugh multiple times which says a lot considering I don't like horror comedies. The aspects I liked the most about this film are it's self awareness and genuinely not knowing who did it midway through. I'd recommend watching this for Halloween with a group of friends and having a blast! Not a masterpiece but a solid 7/10 from me.

Because the way things are these days, I'm still not sure if this was taking the mick out of gen-z or not. It is so on the nose that you think it must be but, then again, things are often beyond parody these days, so I'm not convinced. Compared to most modern films of this type it was very watchable and not too obvious what was about to happen next. I would recommend a watch if you have time.

If it was taking the mick out of gen z, it was a good effort, but so much of this is included in modern films, without jest, that I'm really on the fence about it. Giving benefit of the doubt, I've gone 6/10.