Overview & Context
It’s What’s Inside is a feature-length film in sci-fi thriller genre that is written and directed by Greg Jardin in 2024. The film is set to premiere at Sundance Film Festival, “It’s What’s Inside” is sure to grab attention for its genre-blending style which includes some elements of fiction horror, dark comedy, and psychological drama. Following the festival, Netflix snapped up the distribution rights in what was regarded as the festival’s biggest deal of approximately $17 million.
Despite its modest scale, the film is produced with an ensemble cast including Brittany O’Grady, James Morosini, Alycia Debnam-CareY, Gavin Leatherwood, Nina Bloomgarden, and Devin Terrell. It mirrors the social anxieties of the digital age. Its shot in Portland over a course of 18 days with a budget of 2.5 million dollars.
Plot Summary
The story starts at a breathtaking mansion where a group of friends from college once reconvene to celebrate United’s wedding weekend. Included in the group is the couple Shelby and Cyrus, Dennis the rich kid, social media influencer Nikki, and mutuals Brooke and Maya. Reuben, the soon to be groom, is the host, and his role in the group allows him to join the party as well.
Developments take place when Forbes, an old associate who had been expelled from their college circle for ambiguous reasons, shows up unexpectedly with a suitcase. Inside is a strange device, something Forbes claims allows people to swap bodies with each other. Initially skeptical, the entire group grows curious and chooses to try it out. What starts as an experiment as a party trick quickly spirals into utter havoc.
The switching of bodies sets off a domino effect of confusion-infused confrontations, chaos, and conflicts. Many secrets come to light, including personal, romantic, and unresolved rivalries. As identities become ambiguous and anger mounts, layers of suppressed fury unravel. During one swap, the couple Reuben and Brooke (in swapped bodies) share a heated exchange which culminates in them tragically falling off a balcony and dying.
Panic sets in fully after this incident. Dennis, now in Cyrus’s body accuses him of being the killer, augmenting the fracture in the group’s trust. Shelby, now in Nikki’s body, begins to explore darker elements of her persona, refusing to revert to her original form. Spiraling into betrayal, the characters turn on one another and the story plunges into chaos as each character grapples to either protect or reclaim their identity.
In a final twist, Forbes is revealed to actually be Beatrice, his younger sister who impersonated him and sought revenge on the group utilizing the device because of their past grievances. Beatrice shatters the group—with both emotionally and physically—and escapes with the device and Dennis’s money. The film’s closing scene maintains an unsettling, vague atmosphere, casting doubt on whether anyone truly understands their identity.
Characters and Performances
Brittany O’Grady as Shelby: Shelby starts as a supportive and sweet girlfriend, but as she inhabits Nikki’s body, she unveils a much more complex and darker side. O’Grady offers a morally ambiguous performance rich in subtlety.
James Morosini as Cyrus: Cyrus’s journey is one marked by transformation, identity crisis, and eventually tragedy. He starts out reserved and loyal before becoming scapegoated and trapped in another’s body.
Alycia Debnam-Carey as Nikki: As an influencer confronting an identity crisis—both literally and figuratively—Debnam-Carey’s portrayal of Nikki is powerful. Her depiction of someone violently overtaken by a different persona is heartbreaking.
Gavin Leatherwood as Reuben: As the emotional and narrative anchor of the story, Reuben’s sudden death marks a shift in the film’s focus. His contribution to the group’s initial dynamic is essential and his performance is critical to the film’s foundation.
Madison Davenport as Beatrice: Even though she has a short window of time on screen, her impact is remarkable. She delivers her lines with a serene and methodical calmness that complements the film’s chilling twist ending.
The complexity adds an additional level of difficulty to the film; however, it allows every actor an opportunity to display their talent. Each actor must assume through the use of the body-swapping device and play several different characters.
Direction and Style
The jarring body swapping narrative is accentuated through the bold visual style implemented by director Greg Jardin. He relies on the use of split screens, fast-paced editing, tilt lighting, and color-coded filters to evoke heightened anxiety and surrealism. His visual style mirrors the chaos depicted in the story, which features fragmented identities, distorted perceptions, and erratic power shifts.
The claustrophobic nature of the film is amplified by the close-up shots. The camera captures conflicts from very close angles, and during these frustrating moments, the soundtrack is dominated by energetic electronically charged beats, amplifying the tension.
While the film is a combination of different genres, it remains unified, thanks to Jardin’s steady approach that embraces absurdity and emotional weight.
Themes and Symbolism
Identity and Authenticity
It’s What’s Inside highlights the fight for identity in an era of curated personas. The body-swapping device showcases our avatars and identities, reflecting how appearances can easily mislead us and how our sense of self is fragile. The device’s duality accentuates the literal and metaphorical separation between “who we are” and “who we project to the world”.
Power and Control
The use of the device, and control over other peoples’ bodies, symbolizes social power. As the game turns life-threatening, the film examines the nature and impact of power over control, even within close friendships.
Modern Relationships and Trust
As relationships spiral deeper into chaos, loyalty to each other bends and shifts. The group’s chaotic descent parallels a fractured competition among hidden truths, encompassing the struggle to maintain genuine relationships in a world brimming with secrets, envy, and self-serving agendas.
Millennial Insecurity
With influencer characters, trust-fund heirs, and overachievers, the film explores millennial anxieties—ambition and self-worth, alongside the dread of insignificance or being replaced.
Reception
The film drew attention from voices across the industry due to its pacing and the emotional tones handled by the cast, and it’s reception was a positive one as well. Many viewers loved the dark humor and the unique concept. Several critics remarked that while the blend of body swapping and fast pacing was immersive, the character arcs were at times hard to follow. Other critics however believed that the confusion gave the film depth.
As one of the most discussed titles in the genre of dark comedy and psychological horror, the film surely made an impact. It appeared as though all the talk stemmed from different parts of the internet all the way into the Netflix original catalog. The attention the film received stemmed from the combination of smart writing and stylish execution.
Conclusion
Diving deep into the central social questions regarding much science fiction, It’s What’s Inside looks like a dazzling debut that blends both sets of ideas. If we had the choice and could trade out ourselves for someone else, would the answer be yes? If so, what happens when that option is no longer possible?
Mind-bending thrillers received yet another unique addition, as the film displays expressions of identity, control, and perception. This was made possible through perfect performances, sharp writing, and a strong visual style. The film is a must-watch for those who enjoy psychological tension and millennial satire.
Watch Free Movies on Onionplay