Greg Jardin’s feature debut, It’s What’s Inside, presents an exciting twist on the classic body-swapping theme. The movie combines horror and comedy elements to create a thrilling experience.
The story revolves around a group of eight former college friends who reunite for Reuben’s (Devon Terrell) wedding, only to find themselves trapped in a mind-bending party game. This unique film keeps viewers on the edge of their seats with unexpected twists and turns until the very end.
The main characters are Shelby (Brittany O’Grady) and Cyrus (James Morosini). They are a couple whose relationship has lost its spark. The story begins with Shelby’s suspicions that Cyrus has feelings for their mutual friend, Nikki (Alycia Debnam-Carey). This underlying tension adds complexity to their dynamic as the reunion unfolds.
During the reunion, the group is surprised when Forbes (David W. Thompson) unexpectedly arrives. He brings along a mysterious suitcase that contains a small machine. This machine allows people to switch bodies temporarily, turning their gathering into a wild game.
Forbes compares this body-swapping game to popular social deduction games like Werewolf and Mafia. In this game, the friends must guess who has switched bodies with whom, leading to unexpected consequences and revealing old grudges and unspoken feelings among them.
Forbes Tricks Everyone in Round 1
In the first round of the game, things quickly become chaotic. Cyrus and Reuben switch bodies, while Shelby takes over Brooke’s (Reina Hardesty) body.
Meanwhile, Forbes switches into Dennis’s (Kellen Goff) body. The mix-ups begin as Forbes cleverly calls Brooke by Shelby’s nickname, making it seem like Cyrus is in Dennis’s body instead of Forbes. This clever deception adds to the confusion, as the group tries to guess who is who.
As the round progresses, Cyrus and Forbes continue to deceive the others. Cyrus pretends to be Forbes while showing the house, running into Nikki. Although it is really Maya (Nina Bloomgarden) in Nikki’s body, Cyrus is drawn to her, leading to an unexpected hookup.
This creates a messy love triangle, as Maya believes she is connecting with Forbes while actually being intimate with Cyrus, who is using Reuben’s body. Both Cyrus and Maya are drawn to each other despite their complicated situations.
At the end of Round 1, the group switches back to their original bodies. Shelby, who was initially hesitant about the game, finds herself enjoying the experience.
However, Cyrus feels uneasy about Forbes’ trickery and is reluctant to join in for Round 2. Shelby insists they participate again, leading Cyrus to suggest they create a signal to communicate whose body they are in during the next round, just in case things get complicated again.
Tragedy Strikes During Round 2
As Round 2 begins, tension rises. Brooke, now in Maya’s body, and Reuben, in Dennis’ body, sneak away to a precarious balcony for some intimacy.
Reuben knows that Brooke is not really Maya, yet he feels drawn to her. Brooke, who has admitted her jealousy towards Reuben’s fiancée, finds herself excited by the idea of being with Reuben, regardless of the body switch.
Tragedy strikes when the balcony collapses, resulting in Brooke and Reuben falling to their deaths while in Maya’s and Dennis’ bodies. This accident leaves Maya (now in Shelby’s body) and Dennis (in Cyrus’ body) without their original bodies to return to.
The consequences of this twist are dire, as they are left trapped in someone else’s body indefinitely, while the rest of the group can switch back.
Cyrus is adamant that they all need to return to their original bodies before calling the police, but Dennis does not want to live his life as Reuben. As tensions rise, Cyrus and Dennis get into a heated argument, leading to the revelation of their dark past.
The argument brings to light a college party that ended with Dennis’ arrest and Forbes’ expulsion. It is revealed that Dennis cheated on Nikki with Forbes’ sister, Beatrice (Madison Davenport), who was still in high school at the time.
Cyrus had a crush on Nikki and told her about Dennis’ cheating, which resulted in his rejection. Heartbroken, Cyrus turned his attention to Shelby.
This revelation confirms Shelby’s worst fears about her relationship with Cyrus. However, now that she is in Nikki’s body, Shelby contemplates whether staying in Nikki’s body might save her relationship with Cyrus.
The Battle for Control
The stakes rise even higher when Nikki, now in Brooke’s body, lashes out at Forbes, who is in Reuben’s body, knocking him unconscious. With Forbes incapacitated, Nikki and Cyrus tie him up to prevent him from escaping with the body-swapping machine. However, the tension continues to mount as Shelby learns how to operate the machine as well.
Nikki becomes concerned that Shelby will try to hijack her body when the group attempts to switch back. Shelby claims she will return everyone to their own bodies, which would mean Maya goes back to Brooke’s body, and Dennis returns to Forbes’ body. However, she secretly plans to remain in Nikki’s body and switch Cyrus into Reuben’s body instead.
Still from It’s What’s Inside (Credit: Netflix)
Desperate to regain her own body, Nikki teams up with Dennis, who is equally unhappy about being stuck in Forbes’ body. Together, they devise a plan to ensure that they can reclaim their original forms before the situation becomes irreparable.
The Final Switch
As the group gathers around the machine for the final switch, tensions reach a boiling point. In a moment of desperation, Nikki smears peanut butter on Shelby’s mouth. Since Nikki’s body is severely allergic to peanuts, Shelby begins to go into anaphylactic shock.
In a frantic bid to save herself, Nikki refuses to reveal where her EpiPen is located until Forbes checks the wiring to ensure everyone is switching back to their own bodies.
Chaos erupts in the room as the police unexpectedly burst in, and the screen cuts to black, leaving viewers with many unanswered questions. After a night filled with turmoil and death, It’s What’s Inside throws in one final twist during its last ten minutes.
The following morning, Forbes’ sister Beatrice drives angrily to Reuben’s house after discovering that the wedding has been canceled. She spots Forbes, who is really Dennis, sitting alone and attacks him. However, it is revealed that Beatrice is not who she appears to be. The person they all thought was Forbes is actually Beatrice, who hijacked the machine and arrived at Reuben’s pre-wedding party seeking revenge.
Throughout the film, different accounts of the college party that led to Forbes’ expulsion are revealed. The real Forbes, now in Beatrice’s body, discloses his sister’s side of the story. It turns out that Dennis had hooked up with Beatrice several times before the party.
That night, he publicly humiliated her, calling her crazy and delusional. Beatrice, who struggles with mental health issues, faced severe consequences from this night, ultimately ending up in a mental hospital after experiencing a breakdown.
When Forbes returned from California to visit his family, he introduced Beatrice to the body-swapping machine in hopes of reconnecting with her. However, still filled with anger, Beatrice stole the machine after they swapped bodies and went to Reuben’s party to get her revenge on Dennis and the others.
During the first round of the game, Beatrice uses Dennis’ phone to drain his trust fund, transferring all of his money to an offshore account. Rather than returning everyone to their own bodies, she decides to switch to Nikki’s body. The film concludes with Beatrice driving off into the sunset, now possessing Nikki’s body and Dennis’ money.
In the end, only Shelby and Cyrus manage to return to their original bodies. Maya finds herself trapped in Brooke’s body, Dennis is stuck in Forbes’ body, Beatrice has taken over Nikki’s body, and Nikki ends up in Reuben’s body.
This shocking finale leaves Cyrus in a precarious situation, as he had called the police while in Cyrus’ body, claiming to have killed Maya and Reuben. As a result, Cyrus faces detention at the end of the film, and after everything that has happened, Shelby refuses to help him.
The Aftermath of the Reunion
The movie wraps up with a sense of chaos and unresolved tension among the friends. Each character is left to deal with the consequences of their actions, and the audience is left pondering the implications of the body-swapping game. The film shows themes of identity, betrayal, and the complexities of relationships, leaving viewers questioning the nature of self and connection.
Still from It’s What’s Inside (Credit: Netflix)
It’s What’s Inside presents a unique take on the body-swapping genre, blending humor and horror to create a attractive story. The unexpected twists and turns keep viewers engaged and guessing throughout the film.
As the characters show their relationships and the consequences of the game, the film challenges the audience to consider how their choices impact their lives and the lives of those around them.
It’s What’s Inside is a thrilling and thought-provoking film that combines horror and comedy with a fresh twist on the body-swapping concept.
The film successfully attracts its audience, leaving them eager to reveal the mysteries of the characters’ complex relationships and the consequences of their choices. With its unexpected turns and engaging plot, the movie offers a memorable experience that lingers long after the credits roll.
Several factors signal how strong a reality TV show is, but one of the most important things is solid editing. Editing can use funny graphics, quirky music, or tweak the timeline to make someone seem more suspicious. This plays a massive role in shaping the viewer’s experience.
However, something equally important, though often overlooked, is the central messages or themes a show aims to convey. Different reality shows have different focuses: for example, The Bachelor or Love is Blind blend drama with a love-based theme, while family-friendly competition series like The Voice or America’s Got Talent center around showcasing talent and promoting camaraderie. But no matter the type of reality show, one thing stands out as essential: the presence of a great villain.
The first season of E!’s House of Villains nailed this concept. It gathered some of the most infamous reality TV personalities and paired them with Joel McHale, who proved to be the perfect host. The result was a messy yet highly entertaining competition series that lived up to expectations.
Although Season 1 wasn’t flawless, it amplified everything audiences love about reality TV villains and competition-based shows. It created an enjoyable and dramatic first season, and now Season 2 looks set to build upon that foundation. Though, as with its initial outing, there are still a few elements holding the franchise back from reaching true greatness in reality TV.
House of Villains Season 2 Boasts a Stronger Cast of Villains
The first season of House of Villains introduced viewers to a cast of major names in reality TV. However, with such high-profile stars came great expectations, and unfortunately, some of those expectations weren’t met. A significant part of this was due to the early departure of Johnny Bananas from The Challenge, a fan favorite who typically brings an exciting dynamic to any series he joins.
Without him, the energy dipped slightly, leaving viewers hoping for more. Another letdown was the performance of Jax Taylor, known from Vanderpump Rules and The Valley. Jax, who usually plays the role of the “wild party guy,” seemed to have toned down after becoming a father.
Season 2, however, seems determined to address these issues with a more energetic cast. Early impressions from the first two episodes suggest that the competition will be fiercer and more evenly matched this time around.
A standout element of Season 1 was the excellent chemistry between the cast and host Joel McHale, who continues to bring humor and wit to his role. His ability to connect with the contestants adds an extra layer of entertainment to the show, making sure the audience remains engaged.
One of the most exciting returns in Season 2 is Tiffany “New York” Pollard. She quickly reestablishes herself as the “HBIC” (Head B**** in Charge), a persona that made her famous in Flavor of Love and I Love New York. Her sharp attitude and bold presence were key highlights of Season 1, and fans can expect more of the same from her in the second season.
Another notable contestant is Richard Hatch, the original winner of Survivor. His gameplay in Season 2 is already more aggressive than that of Johnny Fairplay, a fellow Survivor alum from Season 1. Fairplay’s meek strategies made him uninteresting to watch, but Hatch brings a tougher approach to the game.
This difference adds intrigue, especially since Hatch will be competing against several larger-than-life personalities in the house.
Some cast members from Season 2 come from the same franchises as contestants from the first season, making it fascinating to see how their strategies have evolved. For example, Victoria Larson, who appeared in Bachelor Nation, is playing a similarly bold and flirtatious game as Corinne Olympios from Season 1.
However, Olympios was eliminated early in the competition, so it remains to be seen if Larson will meet the same fate. Meanwhile, Wes Bergmann from The Challenge stands out for his strategic gameplay and competitive spirit. Although he doesn’t have the star power of Johnny Bananas, this could work to his advantage by allowing him to fly under the radar for longer.
One of the most anticipated contestants is Teresa Giudice, a household name from The Real Housewives of New Jersey. Her larger-than-life personality and long-standing reputation as a reality TV villain position her as a major contender in the competition.
Teresa is known for causing drama, but she’s rarely the one to start the trouble. This could give her an edge in the game, allowing her to go far without making too many enemies early on. Teresa is, without a doubt, one of reality TV’s most iconic villains, and her presence in the House of Villains mansion is sure to shake things up.
A welcome addition to Season 2 is Kandy Muse, the runner-up from both RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 13 and RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 8. Her fierce and bold personality fits perfectly into the villainous theme of the show.
Kandy’s charisma, wit, and ability to face high-pressure situations make her a formidable contestant in the house, and her star power is already shining through in the early episodes.
Challenges of Season 2
While the cast and dynamic seem stronger in Season 2, the show still faces some challenges. One of the big selling points of this season was the late announcement that Monica Garcia from The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City would join the show as the narrator.
Monica gained fame during her one-season run on RHOSLC and is responsible for delivering one of the most memorable lines in Bravo history. Fans were excited to see her bring her sharp wit to House of Villains, but her role as the narrator has been underwhelming.
Her attempts to deliver villainous lines with attitude fall flat, and she struggles to match the tone that made her a fan favorite in her original show. Many viewers believe she would have been a better fit as a contestant rather than just a narrator, and using her in this way feels like a missed opportunity.
Another problem that plagued Season 1 was the uneven participation in challenges. Some contestants, like Tanisha Thomas, dropped out of physical challenges, such as the critter challenge, while others, like Anfisa Arkhipchenko, showed a lack of enthusiasm for participating in any kind of competition.
This attitude left viewers feeling disconnected from the action. Thankfully, early signs from Season 2 suggest that this issue has been addressed. The initial challenges, including a team-based competition and an elimination challenge, are more engaging and lean into the villainous theme of the show.
The first team challenge, in particular, introduces a new aspect that ties into the show’s focus on villainy, a welcome change that keeps the audience invested.
The elimination challenge also promises to deliver the intensity and humor that fans of reality TV crave. If the show continues to introduce well-designed challenges that push contestants to their limits, it will likely keep viewers hooked throughout the season.
A Bright Future for House of Villains
So far, House of Villains Season 2 has shown significant improvements over its already solid first season, which aired in 2023. According to a press release, Season 1 was the network’s most-watched new series since 2020, and Season 2 looks set to continue that success.
While the upgrades to the house and elimination room (known as “The Stronghold”) haven’t made a huge impact yet, returning contestants like Tiffany Pollard are already using their familiarity with the setting to create memorable moments.
If the chemistry between the cast continues to build, and the challenges stir up more drama, Season 2 could set the stage for the House of Villains franchise to become even more iconic. Reality TV is full of wicked personalities, and with so many potential villains out there, the show has no shortage of future stars.
Still from House of Villains (Credit: Peacock)
It’s clear that House of Villains has the potential to become a long-running reality TV staple, with plenty of chaos and villainy to keep audiences entertained for seasons to come.
Final Thoughts
House of Villains Season 2 kicks off with a two-night premiere event on October 9 and 10 at 10 PM EST. Fans can stream the episodes on Peacock in the U.S., where they can catch all the drama, strategy, and villainy that makes this show a must-watch.
Whether you love to hate the villains or root for their wicked schemes, House of Villains promises to deliver plenty of entertainment, intrigue, and unforgettable moments.
This season is shaping up to be even better than the last, with a strong cast, engaging challenges, and plenty of surprises in store. Fans of reality TV won’t want to miss it.
