Bodies, Bodies,Bodies
Released: 2022.
Production: 2AM.
Distributed By: A24
Directed By: Halina Reijin.
Written By: Sarah DeLappe (Screenplay) and Kristen Roupenian (Story).
Where to Watch: Redbox., Prime Video, Vudu or Apple TV (with subscriptions or paying).
Genre: Horror, Comedy.
Rating: R, under 17 at parent/guardian discretion . Violence, drug use, swearing, general chaos.
You've all probably heard the phrase, "it could be worse, it could be raining" that implies a situation might be made worse by the tireless damp assault of precipitation--but what if the rain is the best part of a situation? When this group of toxic 20-somethings got together for a shelter-in-place party to avoid a storm they certainly thought the rain would be the worst part of the weekend. Little did they know that the storm outside would be nothing compared to the storms brewing inside of the house. After their rich host is found sliced and diced outside in the rain, the remaining party-goers are forced into a desperate fight for survival in which loyalty--and sanity--go out the window as the group tries to find the killer(s??) among them.
The funny thing about friendships is sometimes you become aware that you never really know someone. You could be close friends for years and not understand the depth of someone's toxicity. Usually because you are too focused on your own toxicity, but still. When Sophie (Amandla Stenberg), Alice (Rachel Sennott), David (Pete Davidson), Emma (Chase Sui Wonders), and Jordan (Myha'la Herrold) get together that is certainly the case. This group of friends can't get away from their own drama. When Sophie's new girlfriend, Bee (Maria Bakalova), and Alice's new man, Greg (Lee Pace) show up they can't help but stir things up between this turbulent bunch. Considering how dirty this group's laundry is, murder might be the least of their concerns.
One of the most appealing aspects of Bodies, Bodies, Bodies is how authentically young and modern it is. This was written by people who understand what teens are talking about and how they are talking about it. An example of that authenticity is realized in the absolute banger of a soundtrack. Check out this song 100 Boyfriends by Alice Longyu Gao. Involves swearing, listener discretion advised:
Trailer:
Toxic people. We've all met them. They're messy, they're self-centered, they're self-destructive, they're trapped in a house with your trying to kill you. Well, maybe they aren't always ALL of those things but that is certainly the case in Bodies, Bodies, Bodies. When a shelter-in-place party pops off with a literal murder these 20-something toxic people must confront each other and themselves to stay safe.
Now, the actual trailer.
Created By: The screenplay writer, Sarah DeLappe, absolutely knocked this out of the park. It's not surprising because DeLappe is already an accomplished playwright who wrote a popular teen/young adult play about a young adult soccer team called The Wolves. Her other work also skillfully navigates queerness, conflict, and friendship amongst young adults. The whole play is on YouTube and you can check it out here .
Analysis: One thing I am very concerned with when finding materials for young adults is authenticity. Teens can sniff out fakeness/inauthenticity/pandering faster than most adults and they don't appreciate it. They don't want materials that work hard to replicate and relate to teen culture--or worse, some after-school-special type of moral lessons hidden in teen jargon--they want effortless and authentic representation. Bodies, Bodies, Bodies works so well because it nailed the authentic teen/young adult representation in all aspects: the casting, the dialogue, the set direction, the costuming, the music--all of it. The casting felt particularly important to me because some YA materials cast people who are too grown looking to be convincing young adults and that misrepresentation can give young people unrealistic expectations and/or body dysmorphia. The dialogue was a major standout in this film because it was so authentic to young adult culture.
This movie holds up well as a suspense/thriller but lacks the violence and gore to be a fully-fledged horror movie. I think even a squeamish person could sit through this only covering their eyes in the tense moments. The intensity is nicely balanced by the humor throughout the film. The production value for this production felt elevated despite the production company being a newer, more indie film focused entity. I think Bodies, Bodies, Bodies stands up well next to A24's other works while simultaneously being completely unique from their other films.
In the Library: At one library I worked at we were able to do after hours events for teens and I think that format would work really well for a Bodies, Bodies, Bodies event. In the movie, "Bodies, Bodies, Bodies" is a game in which a group of players tries to avoid a player who is taking them out one by one. The player chosen to be the killer (secretly and randomly by a piece of paper or by cards) hunts the other players while trying to disguise their own identity as the killer. Each time a player is taken out by the killer, the other players have a chance to guess who the killer is that the killer can deny. For an event I can see teens playing the game and then watching the movie together! Due to the rating of the movie there would need to be parent permission.
Potential Issues: This movie is rated R which might discourage some teens or their parent/guardians from viewing or participating in a themed event.
Reason for Inclusion: This movie is FUN. There is a bright, fast-paced element that almost makes the experience of the movie similar to scrolling through TikTok, a favorite teen pastime. At the surface this is a super fun and authentic movie about young adults; however, it has a lot to offer when examined on a deeper level. The characters are dealing with issues like drug abuse, imposter syndrome, cheating, and other things teens and young adults are struggling with.
Sources:
A24. (2022, June 12). Bodies, Bodies, Bodies official trailer 2 HD A24. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTzGKsZjBOY
Alice Longyu Gao. (2021, October 6). 100 boyfriends (official music video). Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRgJeRjRCCU
Bodies Bodies Bodies. (n.d.). A24.https://a24films.com/films/bodies-bodies-bodies
Bodies Bodies Bodies. (2022, August 12).IMDb. Retrieved fromhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt8110652/
Lilli Jacobs. (2020, May 18). The Wolves by Sarah Delappe - Earthstone theatre company. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4FMEfXkuls
Sarah Delappe. (2022, December 23). The Playwrights Realm. https://playwrightsrealm.org/all-playwrights/sarah-delappe
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