ComingSoon Editor-in-Chief Tyler Treese spoke to It’s What’s Inside stars Gavin Leatherwood, Nina Bloomgarden, Alycia Debnam-Carey, and Devon Terrell about the body-switching horror comedy. Directed by Greg Jardin, the film will stream worldwide on Netflix starting October 4.
“A group of friends gather for a pre-wedding party that descends into an existential nightmare when an estranged friend arrives with a mysterious game that awakens long-hidden secrets, desires, and grudges,” says the synopsis.
Tyler Treese: Gavin, It’s What’s Inside is such a trip to watch. So what was the biggest challenge as an actor playing a character and then sometimes you’re playing a character within a character. It’s like some Inception-level craziness here.
Gavin Leatherwood: Yeah, it really is. I think if we didn’t have, um, such a strong captain at the helm, it would’ve been even harder. Greg was so, so specific and particular about what he was capturing, and he already had seen the edit in his head while he was shooting. So honestly, without him, I think it would’ve been crazy. Also just like the help of everyone. We all just had loads of conversations that was like, “Okay, wait, I’m you right now. So, what is it that I want really in this scene?” Also like, “How would you walk and how would you say this line?” Like there was such an open collaborative spirit on set. So it was kind of a joy. Super grateful for that. It could have been a nightmare, but it wasn’t.
Nina, did you know who all your scene partners were actually playing while filming It’s What’s Inside? Sometimes the confusion’s part of the storylines. So, did that vary from scene to scene?
Nina Bloomgarden: Yeah, for sure. Because each character has such like rich backstory with each other character. There might be unrequited love with one or there might have been a relationship with one. So I was very aware of who I was playing with because that would’ve changed how I interacted in the scene, but it’s hard. It’s like one of those things where you really need to keep track of because yeah, I might be looking at Gavin or Devon and thinking, “Oh, it’s whoever they’re playing.” But it’s very weird.
Also, when I see it, there are some scenes where my body’s swapped, and I’m like, “I don’t remember filming this.” Then I realize, “Oh, no, that’s Alycia up there.” It’s very trippy in my head. That’s happened a couple of times where I’m like, “I literally don’t remember this doing this scene,” and I’m like, “What if that’s not me?”
Alycia, is that experience odd seeing your character’s pay-off sometimes be played by another actor, and then you’re doing their emotional arcs later on? It’s a very odd setup.
Alycia Debnam-Carey: Yeah. I think we all had to. We all went into this knowing that we were completing other characters’ arcs, so I think there was real collaboration, communication, and understanding of respect around each other and the characters to make sure those arcs felt real and fulfilled. So that came with part of the nature of it. But yeah, it’s definitely strange. You start as your baseline character and then also have to sort of relinquish that control and be like, “Okay, you are now like seeing that journey.” But I think without such a kind, collaborative, and generous cast, I don’t think it would’ve been easy. We got really lucky.
Devon, we see how it goes wrong in the movie, but would you play this actual game in It’s What’s Inside and swap bodies with people?
Devon Terrell: No. Hell no. No, no, no, no, no, no. There’s too many risks. Too many risks involved. I like who I am too.
I don’t know if I need to swap, but I know some people that would swap. Do you know what I’m saying? I know some people who would — not with me — but who would definitely try to play this game.
Leatherwood: I would swap with you. I just want to be 6-foot.
Terrell: So do I! [laughs]