Netflix, in spite of being one of the largest and perhaps the most well-known streaming services, has developed a questionable reputation for its original content, to say the least. Whether developed for the platform specifically or just bought and brought in by them, the stuff bearing that infamous red “N” at the beginning has become known to more than a few folks as hit or miss based on that quality alone.
It’s What’s Inside, though, is a tick in the right direction. What usually ails the average Netflix experience is absent here; there are no worries in regards to cheap visuals, shortcut storytelling, or anything else of the like. At the very least, this is real, authentic filmmaking, and in that, it’s a win for the platform and all involved. From director Greg Jardin and suited with the ominously appropriate tagline “No body is leaving the same as they came,” the film tracks a pre-wedding party that flies off the existential rails when someone shows up with a mysterious suitcase.

Brittany O’Grady takes the performative helm as Shelby. She’s the first face you’ll see when the thing kicks off, and perhaps the last you’ll remember. She and her boyfriend Cyrus (James Morosini) set the stage with their fragile relationship, building one of many tensions that make the wedding set piece as layered and compelling as it is. The opening scene they share together that dips into a memorable, neon-drenched title card perfectly encapsulates the film’s uncomfortable yet laughable tone, which it maintains most of the way through.
Throughout most of It’s What’s Inside, Jardin’s kinetic visual storytelling sets it all apart. The camera jolts in tandem with everyone’s emotions, and it isn’t just Cyrus and Shelby. The whole wedding party has points to make, fingers to point, and tears to shed. The inner-group tension and heat are driven home by a manic score and sharp, sporadic editing that drives every beat tenfold. After the aforementioned beginning, it doesn’t take long for the crew to be laid out on the main scene. The wedding party is introduced slowly as the camera twirls around hugs and vain compliments. In this way, it’s both painfully realistic and far too fast. Conversations get to the point but do so naturally, for the most part. It’s an intriguing, impressive balance.

The film does falter a bit in trying to be “trendy”, in a way. References to social media and other such trends are more than tired, and, especially early on, it’s a bit surprising how often the film leans on them. The audience’s trust is earned through the fervent, energetic filmmaking; the phoned-in pop-culture schlock feels out of place. However, that stuff fades away as the film settles in, just like most of its serious issues. Some awkward dialogue and pacing problems aside, It’s What’s Inside sustains a wild energy to the bitter end. 103 minutes flies by in a blink, and as the advertisements have said, it’ll absolutely leave your head spinning.
Conflicts become visual, represented by colors, cuss words, and cigarettes. Without noting any specifics, this movie feels like a trip through someone’s altered memory of some obscene party two decades ago. Whether or not that was intentional, it works, and the young wedding setting is made that much more effective when seen through that lens.
It’s an eerie, giggly, seasonal good time on a streaming service that you or someone you know likely has access to. As long as you’re in the mood for it, there’s no reason not to give It’s What’s Inside a try a week out of Halloween. Netflix has earned its flowers with this one.
It’s What’s Inside is currently available to stream on Netflix.

It’s an eerie, giggly, seasonal good time on a streaming service that you or someone you know likely has access to. As long as you’re in the mood for it, there’s no reason not to give It’s What’s Inside a try a week out of Halloween. Netflix has earned its flowers with this one.
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GVN Rating 7.5
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