By Carter James, Lifestyles Editor

Netflix is a streaming service I rarely visit these days.  

If there’s a movie that’s on my watchlist, I do my monthly check in with the streamer. The apparent weekend frequenting the public does of Netflix, specifically whatever original movie or show they dump on you, is not my reality.  

I try not to subject myself to the crap they mass produce and greenlight. 

But once in a blue moon, there’s a great movie that sneaks its way onto the newly released column. Usually, it’s a prestige film from a respected director, such as “The Irishman” or “Power of the Dog,” but sometimes there’s just that one movie you come across that leaves you saying “that was pretty good.”  

“It’s What’s Inside” is that movie.  

I’d describe this movie as a wolf in sheep’s clothing. A double entendre for how the movie is presented and for the movie itself. What starts out as seven college friends reuniting for a bachelor party devolves into a psychological sci-fi thriller, one that leaves you guessing until the very end.  

While the party is what sets off the chain reaction of events, the friend group’s problems stew under the surface. The film plays out like a whodunnit, in a sense. Deciphering how each character’s past clashes with their current actions, as they’re propelled into a party game that is more cerebral than the usual “Cards Against Humanity.” 

Jealousy, desire, and vanity plague this friend group. They’re all excited to see each other five years after graduation, but those old college feelings are still there. This is apparent as the main character, Shelby, deals with the tumultuous relationship with her boyfriend, Cyrus. Their problems stem from actions with their friends in the past, and only get worse as we realize these problems are not exclusive to them.  

None of the weird twists, turns and ideas presented in this film could work without the stellar cast.  

Because this is an ensemble piece, you see these characters interact with each other like it’s ping pong. You never know what’s to come when two people are alone together, and it adds to tension and uncertainty you find when you’re in a friend group with a past.  

The whole cast has a range like none other, showing sides of their characters you’d never expect. In particular, Britany O’Grady stands out as the main character Shelby; who uses the irregular nature of the film to navigate a character who deals with tough realizations in a short amount of time.  

Because this isn’t your standard streaming trash, “It’s What Inside” is one of the most visually inventive and engaging films of the year. You can tell that writer, director and editor Greg Jardin is working with a high concept with such a small budget, because the scrappy nature in which the film resides lead to using the basics of filmmaking in way that is wholly refreshing.  

The movie is frenetic, to say the least. Quick cutting scenes, conversations in split screen and flashbacks done purely with editing magic and photos, add to the unpredictability and vivacious spirt of the film. While the premise gets you hooked, the film’s DNA keeps you on.  

Along with the flashy, dopamine fueled style of the film, is the distinct yet classic cinematography. Jardin and cinematographer Kevin Fletcher go for this filmic look where there’s a pronounced color palette, fantastical lighting straight from a 60s film, and scenes filmed in one take, that only furthers the manic nature of the film.  

It’s best to go into “It’s What’s Inside” blind. The simple premise of friends reuniting is where it starts, but where it goes from there can only be explained as a fantastically frenetic nightmare.  

The retro look and style of filmmaking, along with the scrappy attitude of the edit makes for a film that has the makings of a classic, while also being something younger generations can identify with. It’s an ensemble piece that never runs out of tricks, the best being how much depth I found through the madness.