Halina Reijn’s “Bodies Bodies Bodies”

Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)

Based on a story by Kristen Roupenian with a crackling script from Sarah DeLappe, this is a fresh take on the genre with terrific direction from Halina Reign supported by excellent casting and a more down-to-earth approach to the story that ends beautifully.

Reijn’s English-language debut has a satisfying sting in its tail. One among many 2022 satirical films featuring a loathsome cast (“My Friends All Hate Me”, “The Menu”, “Triangle of Sadness”, “Glass Onion”), “Bodies Bodies Bodies” manages to be one of the best. Less heavy handed and more intimate than the others, this sees a group converge for a “hurricane party” at soon to be isolated mansion. Over the first third of the film, we learn a lot about the dynamics of the group, their grudges, motivations and history. Secrets abound and questions get raised before moving onto the next phase as they play a Werewolf-like game called “Bodies Bodies Bodies” which acts as a catalyst for what happens next.

Based on a story by Kristen Roupenian with a crackling script from Sarah DeLappe, this is a fresh take on the genre with terrific direction from Halina Reign supported by excellent casting and a more down-to-earth approach that ends beautifully.