Sundance Review: IT’S WHAT’S INSIDE is a thrilling science fiction mystery

In the opening scene of It’s what’s insidedirected by Greg Jardin and interpreted Brittany O’Grady, I was really expecting a somewhat suspenseful movie about a party gone wrong, which largely exploits the salacious behavior of a group of super sexy people. But turning off my brain and preparing to switch off for two hours like you do with that type of film was definitely the wrong choice. I wasn’t prepared for everything this movie was about to throw at me.

Gathering the night before a friend’s wedding, an eclectic group of friends decide to spend the evening drinking, smoking and bragging about their lives. It seems like a normal party until one of their old college friends shows up with a mysterious suitcase and an idea for a fun party game that they swear is harmless. The night quickly descends into chaos as lies are told, truths are revealed, and relationships are pushed to the breaking point.

If this sounds a little boring and trashy, you’re right to think so. But trust me when I tell you that it gets more exciting and suspenseful. Elements of science fiction, suspense and mystery are all part of the whirlwind plot that kept me puzzled until the end of the film.

Here is the description of the film at Sundance:

A pre-wedding party descends into an existential nightmare when an unknown friend shows up with a mysterious suitcase.

Writer-director Greg Jardin’s playful, sexy, sci-fi-infused debut film takes place within a twisted parlor game among a flock of social media obsessives. In the soapy fun of the lively party atmosphere, Jardin ramps up the tension and thrills, craftily deploying elegant expository cues so the audience can marvel at the frenetic twists and turns without being left behind. Featuring Alycia Debnam-Carey, Brittany O’Grady and James Morosini, the dynamic, emerging cast plays multiple variations of their romantically intertwined, secret-keeping characters with winking wit and humor. The production’s flashy and colorful visual style echoes the exuberance of the high-concept premise, allowing for multi-layered pleasure in this immensely entertaining and wholly original puzzle of a film.