Body Count boasts a delicious blend of the wickedness and hysteria of a modern bad romance, fearlessly exploring the lengths of what a person can do when entangled in the web of obsession and fetishism. Painting both the highs and lows of a mania-driven toxic relationship, the film provides a snapshot of what happens behind closed doors between a serial killer and a true-crime tale fanatic, both of whom take their dark passions to chilling extremes.
While the film provides an unflinching showcase of the human psyche, where passions and desires morph into a Bonnie & Clyde-esqe malevolence, Body Count manages to carry this baggage with wit and humor. The dark comedy elements are palpable in its aesthetics, where neon pink light glows on the dread of impending doom, and the stark contrast between its macabre subject matter and camp characters creates this intellectual juxtaposition of twisted sinister, and refreshing irreverence that only a master storyteller can do.
The film truly is a showcase of first-time director and screenwriter J.C. McKearnin’s potential, who confidently navigated this uncharted genre with so much grit and adrenaline. And just like hard candy, the film burns your tongue raw but rushes your veins with euphoria.
Rai Guatno as Delilah shines the brightest during her more subtle moments. Her stillness reminded me of the likes of indie darlings like Sidney Flanigan (Never Rarely Sometimes Always), and the muses of Debra Granik, whose humane and often mysterious demeanor kept the film grounded while her surroundings were skyrocketing to camp madness.
Andy Van Antwerp grabs the movie by the balls and has truly set what the tone of the film is all about. I believed in everything he said, did, and desired. And for a character whose intentions could easily go borderline ridiculous, his commitment made Paul the unexpected pawn that you start rooting for halfway through the film.
Overall, Body Count left me eager to see what happened before and what happens next. It’s a tantalizing teaser to what’s potentially a genre-bending cinematic experience as a full-length feature film.
