Film review: ‘BODIES, BODIES, BODIES’, by Nick Gardener from ‘Built For Speed’
Bodies, Bodies, Bodies is an occasionally clever but mostly annoying, collision of whodunit thriller and millennial culture making it a cacophony of catchphrases and social media references occasionally interspersed by killings.
The film employs the familiar set up of a group of friends – in this case mostly loud, obnoxious, twenty-something rich kids – converging on a sprawling mansion for what they hope will be a debauched evening of sex, drugs and murder role play in the game known as ‘Bodies, Bodies, Bodies’. There’s immediate evidence of discord, though, as the hot-tempered Jordan (Myha’la Herreld) voices her displeasure at the arrival of estranged friend Sophie (Amandla Stenberg) and her mysterious new Russian girlfriend Bee (Maria Bakalova). As a ferocious storm brews outside, tension grows between the members of this group. When one of them, the extremely repulsive David (Pete Davidson) is discovered with his throat cut, the four females of the group begin to fear that a killer is lose somewhere in the house. As more bodies are discovered and bonds between them begin to unravel, they fear the killer is among them.
This film is only 94 minutes but feels considerably longer. This is largely due to the fact that, in place of dialogue, we mostly have to endure the characters squabbling with and squawking at each other. Establishing character conflicts is one thing but the relentless whining here becomes nauseating. Built around the screeching sessions, however, are a few genuinely tense moments, some moderately effective twists and slivers of inventive plotting. These, however, are fleeting and only serve to remind us that this could have been a much better film. Some of the attempted comedy – which mostly revolves around characters saying outrageously dumb things – works but it’s hardly a feast of witticisms.
The movie – especially it’s violent scenes – would also have been more effective if so much of it hadn’t been shot in extreme close-up. Too often, what should have been exciting action and fight scenes end up as confusing blurs. The film is also shot with a murky palette that just makes it look ugly and dour rather than mysterious and atmospheric.
A few tense and intriguing scenes save this from being a complete misfire but it was a relief when the credits rolled and we were no longer in the company of this vain and irritating group of characters.
Nick’s rating: **1/2
Genre: Drama/ Thriller.
Classification: MA15+
Director(s): Halina Reijin.
Release date: 15th Sept 2022.
Running time: 94 mins.
Reviewer: Nick Gardener can be heard on “Built For Speed” every Friday night from 8-10pm on 88.3 Southern FM.