The relatively unknown film, It’s What’s Inside, is garnering acclaim from horror enthusiasts on Rotten Tomatoes, but there’s one aspect that’s leaving them all a bit miffed. The American sci-fi horror flick, laced with elements of comedy, is the brainchild of Greg Jardin.
This independent production marks Greg Jardin’s debut feature film and boasts a youthful cast including Brittany O’Grady, recognised for her portrayal of Paula in the second season of The White Lotus. The 2024 movie chronicles the reunion of a group of old college mates after an eight-year hiatus to celebrate nuptials.
However, what starts as a night of revelry quickly spirals out of control when an unexpected guest arrives in a suitcase.
Forbes, portrayed by David W. Thompson, shows up with the suitcase, which contains a device enabling them to switch bodies. When the friends decide to give it a whirl, they engage in a guessing game to determine who is in whose body, but this soon begins to sow discord among the group, reports the Mirror US.
One critic commented: “Very interesting. Keeps you on the edge of your seat. Some points get a little bit hard to follow but resolve themselves quickly. It was a very fun watch; I would watch it again.”
However, the reviewer added that they didn’t “completely love the ending” unless it hinted at a sequel. This complaint appears to be a common sentiment among viewers of It’s What’s Inside.
One viewer shared their mixed feelings, stating: “Pretty good movie. I love the concept actually, but it started slow; halfway through, around the second body swap, it was thrilling from then on.
“Although the ending was unforgivable, which made the entire movie as a whole tragically terrible.”
Echoing this sentiment, another critic highlighted their enjoyment of the film by calling it a “great drama” with a “unique twist” on body-swapping, yet they lamented what they called “the worst ending” they’ve ever seen, noting that the film abrupt cut off “just at the highest point.”
In contrast, some fans remain enthusiastic, with one declaring that It’s What’s Inside is “the best horror movie” they’ve encountered in ages, commenting, “I found myself watching with my jaw dropping throughout the movie!”.
Another review praises the film: “It has a clever story, great acting, and beautiful cinematography. Honestly, it’s one of the best thrillers I’ve seen in a while!”.
The movie posed a significant challenge for its cast who had to portray multiple characters due to the constant body swaps. James Morosini, who stars as Cyrus in the film, reflected on the emotional demands of his role during an interview with Men’s Health two years after filming concluded.
“It is emotionally very taxing. So, after we were done shooting this, I did feel like I kind of left it all on the field, and so then to have to wait for two years for it to come out, it feels like this message in a bottle that you send out and then comes back years later,” he shared.
For those who are intrigued by the film’s controversial ending, It’s What’s Inside is now available for streaming on Netflix.