One of the most common complaints about slasher movies is how stupid the attractive characters are. In Bodies Bodies Bodies, a stylish new horror-comedy, the stupidity is kind of the point. None of the potential victims is particularly bright or resourceful. Who ends up alive at the end of the night is more of a matter of sheer luck.
Amandla Stenberg (The Hate U Give) stars as Sophie, a recovering addict who brings her new girlfriend Bee (Maria Bakalova) along for a weekend rager at a remote mansion. Their arrival exacerbates tensions among the group of friends. The jealous pals include podcaster Alice (Rachel Sennott), her mysterious hook-up Greg (Lee Pace), immature David (Pete Davidson), his weepy girlfriend Emma (Chase Sui Wonders) and wild card Jordan (Myha'la Herrold). Copious drug use and verbal abuse bring their simmering rage to the surface, all during a round of the titular game (a spin on Mafia, Werewolf, etc).
When the power goes out and someone ends up dead for real, the accusations start flying. This is where the movie shifts into satirical mode, exposing the self-absorbed nature of the Gen Z survivors. The script - written by newcomer Sarah DeLappe - is absolutely relentless in mocking everyone. But it's all low-hanging fruit. There are plenty of jokes about distrusting older people, misusing "gaslighting" and being glued to cell phones. None of this particularly trenchant insight, but it is a delight to see this group use faulty logic to try to find the killer and to stay alive.
Unlike past horror-comedies like Ready or Not or You're Next, there aren't really any scares in this film. It's much more concerned with its hangout vibes and rapid-fire jokes. Even its big emotional climax feels slight, especially since it's followed by the pitch-perfect reveal of the killer. That got the biggest laugh out of me.
Bodies Bodies Bodies is a great crowd movie, which adds to its charms. Even if its satire isn't as sharp as the killer's weapon, you're still bound to have a good time.
