Its Whats Inside is a tightly knit psychological thriller that leans on classic reunion-horror while weaving in a sly slice of science fiction. The action stretches over a single, tension-filled evening as a quartet of former classmates gathers in an isolated, high-end estate for a pre-wedding toast. Reuben, the groom-to-be, planned the event to recapture old bonds, yet his welcome soon sparks buried resentments and emotional flare-ups.
Shelby, played by Brittany OGrady, arrives with her boyfriend Cyrus (James Morosini) and the strain in their coupling is obvious from the jump. Dennis, a reckless trust-fund thrill-seeker; Maya, a sharp-eyed spiritualist; Brooke, the reticent artist; and Nikki, a glam-obsessed influencer, complete the lineup. Things tip sideways when Forbes (David Thompson), long absent from the circle, strolls in bearing an odd suitcase and an even odder proposal- he claims the gadget inside can swap minds between bodies and suggests they play for real thrills.
At first the friends see the switch as a fun party trick: they hop into new bodies, trade witty guesses, and act out exaggerated versions of one another. That playful mood fades fast. Buried secrets, long-denied crushes, and fading resentments burst into the open. When Cyrus, now in Forbes skin, kisses Maya, who is inside Nikkis frame, tempers flare and a shocking accident turns everything deadly.
As some people refuse to swap back-a choice led by Shelby, who revels in Nikkis privileges-the group splinters. Terror peaks when Beatrice, Forbes unstable sister and the real puppet-master, admits she has already hijacked a third identity. Her flight in a stolen body leaves everyone shattered, proving that identity untethered from self can become a lethal gamble.
🎭 Cast & Crew
Director & Writer: Greg Jardin; writer/director Greg Jardin makes his feature debut with Its Whats Inside. Previously known for short films and visual-effects work, he handled editing and VFX here as well, crafting a sharp, tightly controlled look.
Main Cast:
Brittany OGrady portrays Shelby, a frail yet inquisitive woman who drinks in the thrill of a brand-new self.
James Morosini plays Cyrus, Shellys jealous, wary partner whose hidden fears unspool in real time.
Devon Terrell is Reuben, the earnest groom and reluctant host pushing the scattered friends toward harmony.
Gavin Leatherwood gives life to Dennis, a spoiled, reckless buddy who sparks and stokes the squads fireworks.
Nina Bloomgarden features Maya, the calm, sensing center whose own flesh is commandeered without consent.
Alycia Debnam-Carey appears as Nikki, the influencer whose skin becomes a battleground for clashing personas.
Reina Hardesty plays Brooke, a muted yet observant force whose quiet reads deepen the group portrait.
David Thompson essays Forbes, a withdrawn tinkerer whose wild inventions introduce unchecked disorder.
Madison Davenport embodies Beatrice, Forbes sister and the movies chilling villain, delivering a final jolt.
Production Team:
The picture was crafted by producers William Rosenfeld, Kate Andrews, Jason Baum and Ra-l Domingo, with Colman Domingo and Robert Kapp serving as executive backers. Kevin Fletchers moody, stylish lenses set the tone, while Andrew Hewitts score injects both dread and strange beauty into each body-swap moment.
⭐ IMDb & Critical Reception
It s What s Inside has won over both critics and everyday viewers, who praise its fresh energy. As of October 2023 the IMDb score sits in the mid-to-high 6 range yet reviews tout the film for daring storytelling and a lively spirit.
Writers call it a sleek cocktail of thriller sci-fi and dark comedy and applaud how it upends familiar body-swap tales. Instead of leaning on gags or wild fantasy the film probes the emotional fallout of stepping into another persons skin and shows how looks and identity guide everyday treatment.
Many commentators celebrate Greg Jardins fearless first feature arguing his direction keeps the tangled identity shifts clear and cohesive. Reviewers often praise the films brisk rhythm and energetic cuts although a few feel the visual flair occasionally veers into sensory overload.
A handful of voices lament that deeper terrain around gender and consent remains underexplored considering the premise yet almost everyone hails the films sharp critique of surface-driven culture online selves and fleeting approval.
The core question It s Whats Inside grapples with is simple yet profound: do our choices shape who we are, or does surface beauty carry the real weight? By literally swapping bodies and shoes, the movie pushes characters-and viewers-to face awkward truths theyd rather ignore. Shelby is the clearest casualty; her confidence falters, she drifts into a face she thinks is luckier, and viewers see how cruel outside standards can be once we make them our own.
The story also shows how quickly trust shatters when identity starts to bend. Lovers, allies, even rivals blur together the moment skin and voice can be borrowed at will. Real terror, then, lies not in the cloning lab but in the choices people seize the second masks become flesh.
The closing twist Beatrice behind the plot, now living in a fresh body leaves the audience with a cold reminder: some will gamble their very self for power, freedom, or simple payback.
Genre: Psychological thriller, sci-fi, dark comedy
Runtime: 103 minutes
Release Date: Premiered at Sundance January 2024, then streams on Netflix later that year
Director: Greg Jardin
Notable Themes: identity, self-perception, consent, trust, social-media influence
Critical Response: Mostly positive, praising originality, direction, and daring ideas
It s What s Inside is more than a body-swap story; it stylishly questions who we really are in the online age. With a fresh premise, sharp visuals, and a cast delivering raw emotion, the film ranks among 2024 s most memorable indie thrillers.
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