Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Original horror-comedy with language, drugs, and sex.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
It's What's Inside
What's the Story?
In IT'S WHAT'S INSIDE, bickering couple Shelby (Brittany O'Grady) and Cyrus (James Morosini) are on their way to a pre-wedding party for their college friend Reuben (Devon Terrell). Also there are other old friends, including trust fund kid Dennis (Gavin Leatherwood), hippie Maya (Nina Bloomgarden), artist Brooke (Reina Hardesty), and attractive online influencer Nikki (Alycia Debman-Carey). When another college acquaintance, Forbes (David Thompson), shows up unexpectedly, he brings with him a strange suitcase that contains a machine allowing people to swap bodies. The gang decides to play the game, but nobody expects what transpires.
Is It Any Good?
A fast-paced, entertaining, and slightly wacky genre-bender, this generationally targeted film is sure to find a rapt audience and also shows off its feature debut writer-director's unique voice. It's What's Inside (that counts?) begins with a mind-messing tale of body-swapping, and then layers in a steady stream of visual flashes. Characters are lit throughout in bold colors, sent into rooms distorted by broken mirrors, carved up among split screens, and reenacted in animated collages. Situated somewhere between sci-fi, psychological horror, and social comedy, it's all quite startling, twisty to sometimes confusing, and generally a lot of fun.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what they would do in Shelby's shoes, from It's What's Inside. Would you have stayed with Cyrus all those years? Played the game? Swapped bodies at the end? Why?
What do you take away as the larger social message or significance of this story? Explain.
Explain the ending. What are some other possible interpretations?
What visual techniques does the film use to create a sense of disorientation or even fear? How about the use of sound and music? Can you think of specific examples?
Which character do you most identify with, if any? Why?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : October 4, 2024
- Cast : Brittany O'Grady , James Morosini , Gavin Leatherwood
- Director : Greg Jardin
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Multiracial Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Friendship
- Run time : 103 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : pervasive language, sexual content, drug use and some violent content
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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