There are comedic horror movies with an even mixture of laughs and blood, and then are movies like BODIES BODIES BODIES. The new movie from A24 is honestly difficult to classify at first glance. It looks like it could be a dark teen comedy, as a group of friends play a creepy game while partying at a remote mansion. Things go from "dark" to "bloody" quickly when the game, which simulates a killing spree, turns into the real thing. "This is not a safe space" proclaims the poster.
BODIES BODIES BODIES is a fast-pased and vicious mix of satire, teen drama, comedy and horror — with a sharp cutting edge that is always ready to wound. And it's all built around a starring role for Maria Bakalova, who delivered a breakout performance in BORAT SUBSEQUENT MOVIEFILM. Here's the new trailer and everything we know about this party game gone wrong.
Where Can You Watch Bodies Bodies Bodies?
BODIES BODIES BODIES may be a movie about a home party game, but you can't see it at home. A24 will release the movie exclusively in movie theatres on August 5.
The New Bodies Bodies Bodies Trailer
This new trailer just arrived this week, and it is a very good look at the overall setup of the movie's story. If you want a more frenetic trailer experience, check out the original red-band trailer for BODIES BODIES BODIES. Just know that it's a not-safe-for-work edit, due to language.
We wonder if the trailers actually under-sell the movie's vibe. After premiering at the SXSW Film Festival, reviews described "rich kids without wifi, descending into frothing at the mouth, bloody madness" and called it "a dementedly fun time thats just as mean-spirited with the horror as it is the comedy."
Who Made Bodies Bodies Bodies?
This movie comes from Dutch actor, writer, and director Halina Reijn. It's her second feature film (following the intense INSTINCT) but that doesn't mean she's new on the scene. Reijn has been acting in film, theatre, and television since the '90s.
The origin of the script is notable, too. A24 is known for distributing a very specific brand of odd and artful horror and drama movies, and almost all of them are filmmaker-driven. In this case, however, the company bought the BODIES BODIES BODIES story on its own. It came from writer Kristen Ropuenian, who also penned the instantly notorious story "Cat Person," which appeared in The New Yorker in 2017. Ultimately, Sarah DeLappe is credited with the script based on Ropuenian's story.
A Murderer's Row of Young Talent
We have arguably buried the lede here, which is that the cast of BODIES BODIES BODIES is one of the best reasons to see it. In addition to BORAT standout Maria Bakalova, who plays the demure and nervous Bee, there's Amandla Stenberg as Bee's new girlfriend, Sophie, and also Rachel Sennott, Chase Sui Wonders, Myha'la Herrold.
There's also an absolute madman of a comedian on hand: Conner O'Malley. (Anyone who has binged "I Think You Should Leave" is probably already a member of the Cult of Conner O'Malley, whose YouTube shorts are confrontational, bizarre, and maybe masterpieces.) Pete Davidson also appears, and the most obvious conclusion to draw is that he is behind the killings, which means he almost certainly is not.
And what, exactly, is Lee Pace doing here? He looks like an old burnout who is hanging out with kids and… really should not be. You're being weird Lee Pace. (But what a great actor! We're happy to see him here.)
BODIES BODIES BODIES opens on August 5.
All images courtesy of A24.