Netflix psychological thriller The Body critics reviews, Digi Mart USA News: Netflix’s latest psychological thriller has received the thumbs up from critics.
On Wednesday morning, a new series titled The Body premiered on the streaming platform. The dark eight-part show centers on the aftermath of a sinister initiation gone wrong at a Catholic girls school in the mid-2000s, where students experience supernatural goings-on.
Written and directed by Quinn Shepherd, the series has already been compared to Yellowjackets, Carrie and a Y2K take on The Crucible. Critics have labeled it ideal binge-viewing, even in reviews that took issue with certain parts of the show.
Reviewers say the show is set at a Catholic high school in the Northeast and is a raunchy, campy series about friendship, desire, identity and belief systems. One critic said its grasp of female friendship, gossip, herd mentality and manipulation, in a vein similar to religion, makes it clever and fun.
Critics also praised the show’s nostalgic early 2000s details, including AIM chatrooms, killer needle drops, and bedazzled title cards in the style of Juicy Couture. One reviewer described the atmosphere as unsettling and amusing in equal parts, calling the show a devilishly good time.
Other reviewers described the series as a Zillennial take on The Devils with less horror than promised, but with memorable mean girls, dreamy dance routines and AIM drama. One critic said the show was completely right up their alley, citing sapphic horror, competitive dance crew drama and all-girls school shenanigans.
Not every review was positive. One critic said the show is like nothing else on television, in both good and frustrating ways, and that with tighter plotting it could have been the year’s best new show.
That critic compared it to Buffy on psychedelic drugs or a CW adaptation of The Virgin Suicides.
Another reviewer called the show undeniably a hot mess but a campy, entertaining one with plenty of steamy sapphic scenes, predicting it could become a cult classic similar to But I’m A Cheerleader or Jennifer’s Body. A third critic said the series is a sinfully fun teen drama that mixes teen-drama messiness with mystery, early 2000s throwbacks and a fluid amount of religious dogma.
Reviewers also praised the cast. Kristina Bogic and Sara Boustany were noted for their chemistry as close friends, and Jackson Kelly was singled out for a touching performance as Leo.
Gabby Windey, in a brief role as the Lions’ coach Shauna, was described as bringing welcome kooky charm. However, one critic said the writing comes up short, with characters that are not quite interesting enough to love despite the show’s lengthy run time.
