'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQI/8QAFAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABP/aAAwDAQACEAMQAAAAzzGNN//EAB0QAAICAgMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEDAgQAERJigaH/2gAIAQEAAT8AoKUujac+AYZ19L6nkQT8wMiBorB9z//EABgRAAIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACARES/9oACAECAQE/AGnKrR//xAAXEQADAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAhEh/9oACAEDAQE/AF2n/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The new Netflix original film It's What's Inside witnessed its world premiere in the Midnight section at the Sundance Film Festival on January 19, 2024. Later on, the film was released on Netflix on October 4. The mind-bending thriller, directed by Greg Jardin in his feature debut, portrays the chaos of body-swapping among a group of old college friends.
As they gather at a palatial estate for a pre-wedding party, they encounter a mysterious machine that swaps their consciousness into each other's bodies. The cast includes Brittany O'Grady as Shelby, James Morosini as Cyrus, Alycia Debnam-Carey as Nikki, David W. Thompson as Forbes, Reina Hardesty as Brooke, and Madison Davenport as Beatrice.
Supporting roles are played by Nina Bloomgarden as Maya, Gavin Leatherwood as Dennis, and Devon Terrell as Reuben. Director Jardin also contributed to the film's script and production, crafting a story that intertwines personal drama with supernatural elements.
Trending
The initial swap sets the stage for the chaos that ensues throughout the movie. Each friend harbors personal secrets and desires and is initially amused by the novelty of experiencing life through someone else's eyes. But the amusement quickly dissipates when Shelby, stuck in Nikki's body, confronts her feelings of insecurity heightened by Cyrus's barely concealed attraction to Nikki.
The first swap exposes the cracks in their relationships. Cyrus, in Reuben’s body, acts on his long-suppressed desire for Nikki, who is now Maya on the outside.
The repercussions of these actions are immediate and severe, as trust erodes and the group’s dynamic begins to shift. It sets off a domino effect of emotional confrontations and unsettling revelations about each other’s true selves.
It's What's Inside: How does the second swap intensify the drama?
The second body swap intensifies the existing conflicts and introduces new dangers. After the group reluctantly agrees to another round, hoping to correct the misunderstandings from the first, things take a dark turn.
Reuben and Brooke, now in the bodies of Dennis and Maya respectively, tragically died after a balcony collapse during an impulsive romantic encounter. This disaster leaves the group in turmoil, as they grapple with the reality that some of them might be trapped in bodies that are not their own, forever.
The mortality of their situation becomes clear, and the psychological torment of being stuck in another person’s body amplifies the group's desperation. It leads to a frenzied scramble to figure out if and how they can revert to their original selves.
It's What's Inside: What reveals the true nature of the machine?
The true nature of the body-swapping machine is revealed through Beatrice, the mastermind disguised in Forbes’ body. Her plan, driven by revenge against her former friends, especially Dennis, for past grievances, unfolds as she manipulates the swaps to her advantage. The revelation shocks the group, who initially viewed the device as a harmless diversion.
Beatrice's control over the swaps and her ultimate goal to leave everyone else in disarray, while she escapes in a new body with financial security— shows the sinister potential of the technology.
It's What's Inside: How do the survivors deal with the aftermath of the balcony accident?
After the balcony accident, the group's attempt to manage the crisis, reveals their true characters and priorities. With two of their friends dead, the survivors are forced to make hard decisions about loyalty, sacrifice, and survival.
Some members advocate for swapping back to honor their fallen friends, while others see an opportunity to escape their past lives and start anew with a different identity.
It's What's Inside: What does the ending mean for each character?
The climax of the movie leaves audiences questioning the fate of each character because Beatrice successfully executes her plan and drives away with the body-swapping machine. Shelby and Cyrus, seemingly the only ones restored to their original bodies, face a grim reality.
Shelby visits Cyrus in jail, where he is left to take the blame for the accidents, showcasing the irrevocable changes in their relationship and individual lives. The ending underscores the permanence of the choices made and the lasting impact of their actions.
It also leaves open the possibility of further chaos beyond the screen. Beatrice, now in Nikki’s body with a new identity and resources, could continue her vengeful saga, highlighting the disturbing potential for technology to disrupt human identity and ethics.
It's What's Inside is streaming on Netflix.
