Netflix’s It’s What’s Inside is a thrilling and quirky horror-comedy full of surprises. Its conclusion leaves the audience with many burning questions, particularly about who ends up in which body. The film kicks off with Shelby and Cyrus, a couple stuck in a lackluster relationship. What Shelby doesn’t know is that Cyrus’ affections are directed at their friend Nikki.
The story begins as the group, including Shelby, Cyrus, and five other characters, gathers at Reuben’s mansion the night before his wedding to play a game. Their estranged friend Forbes arrives with a suitcase that has the power to swap people’s bodies. He proposes a Mafia-inspired game where the group would switch bodies and guess who’s who. They play two rounds, allowing each person to explore their hidden desires. However, things take a deadly turn when Reuben and Brooke die in Dennis and Maya’s bodies, causing chaos and panic among the group.
As the group tries to figure out what to do next, their discussions grow more heated. This culminates in a fast-paced ending where they argue about whether they should remain in their swapped bodies or return to their original ones. The arrival of Forbes, who tries to steal the suitcase, adds more tension. Shelby, one of the few who understands how to operate the machine, decides to double-cross the group, further complicating the situation.
It’s What’s Inside Ending Explained
When the dust settles after the action-packed climax, only two characters return to their original bodies: Shelby and Cyrus. The twist? Beatrice was in Forbes’ body the whole time, and she eventually transfers into Nikki’s body at the end. The other body swaps result in Maya being in Brooke’s body, Dennis in Forbes’, and Nikki in Reuben’s body. The last swap represents the final step in Beatrice’s complex and vengeful plan.
The revelation that Beatrice had been inside Forbes’ body throughout the movie is one of the film’s biggest shocks. It turns out Beatrice had orchestrated this plan long before, knowing Forbes was invited to the wedding. Her goal was revenge on Dennis for a traumatic incident that happened eight years earlier at a birthday party.
Though the film doesn’t explicitly explain every detail, it seems Beatrice’s intentions were to trap Dennis in a body he hated and to steal his wealth. Her plans evolved when she learned that Reuben, too, had contributed to the rift between her and Forbes. Beatrice’s strategy included sabotaging Reuben’s wedding by placing individuals in his body who would engage in sexual acts with someone else. The accidental death of Reuben while in Dennis’ body was simply a coincidence.
It’s possible that Beatrice punished Nikki by putting her in Reuben’s body out of jealousy, though this is never confirmed. Beatrice also involved Cyrus in her scheme at the last minute, despite him having no part in the original conflict. The complexity of Beatrice’s motivations shows how deeply personal her actions are.
Beatrice’s Motivation to Help Shelby Punish Cyrus
Beatrice’s involvement with Shelby is equally intriguing. She helps Shelby punish Cyrus by placing him back in his own body, knowing that whoever occupies it would face serious consequences. Initially, this may seem like an altruistic gesture since Cyrus wasn’t involved in the events that led to Forbes’ expulsion or Beatrice’s mental breakdown.
However, as Forbes reveals Beatrice’s backstory, it becomes clear that her decision is rooted in her own emotional history. Before the party incident, Beatrice had been in a relationship with Dennis, who deceived her about his feelings. Similar to Dennis, Cyrus deceives Shelby, promising her love while secretly harboring feelings for Nikki. Beatrice empathizes with Shelby’s betrayal, which prompts her to intervene. By the end of the film, Shelby is given the opportunity to punish Cyrus in a way that mirrors the way she feels he has wronged her.
Does Shelby Have a Crush on Forbes?
When the body swapping begins, Shelby ends up in Nikki’s body and Cyrus in Forbes’. During the second body swap, Shelby asks Cyrus to refer to her as Nikki, and she calls him Forbes. This moment leads Cyrus to believe that Shelby may have feelings for Forbes. However, the film does not confirm this.
It’s more likely that Shelby, in her attempt to reignite her relationship with Cyrus, is trying to embody the persona of Nikki to make him more attracted to her. Throughout the movie, Shelby is seen trying to gain Cyrus’s affection, and this situation seems to be an attempt to manipulate his desires. It’s clear that Shelby is not in love with Forbes but is instead trying to tap into what she thinks would make Cyrus love her.
The Different Versions of the Birthday Party Story
A key element in Beatrice’s motivations is the birthday party that occurred during their college years. The characters all recall different versions of the night, and this discrepancy is significant. It’s suggested that their differing recollections are due to the influence of alcohol, which distorted their memories.
In addition to this, the meta-narrative of the film invites the audience to reflect on how biases and personal experiences shape our perceptions of the truth. There’s no singular “true” version of events, and the varying accounts represent how each character sees the world through their own lens.
The most comprehensive version of the story suggests that Beatrice and Dennis had been in an affair prior to the party, and that Dennis had been cheating on Nikki. At the party, Beatrice became drunk and confused, leading her to claim a relationship with Dennis. In retaliation, Dennis gaslighted her and called her delusional, further alienating her. This series of events culminated in Beatrice’s emotional breakdown, a mental health crisis that led her to be institutionalized.
The fallout from the party involved Dennis and Reuben blaming Forbes for the mess, which resulted in his expulsion. The narrative around the party helps reveal the motivations of the characters, particularly Beatrice’s desire for vengeance.
The Real Meaning of the Ending in It’s What’s Inside
The movie’s ending ties back to the central theme introduced early on in the story. When Brooke shows off her art piece, she explains that it can be viewed in two different ways: one from a normal perspective and the other through a colored lens. This theme of perception runs throughout the film and points to a deeper message.
It’s What’s Inside uses body swapping to explore the idea that we are often not what we appear to be on the outside. This is especially relevant in a world dominated by social media and influencers, like Nikki. The film suggests that there are layers to every individual, and how we perceive the world and others can change depending on the lens through which we view them.
Setting Up a Possible Sequel
In the final scene, Beatrice, now in Nikki’s body, escapes with the suitcase and Dennis’ money. This sets up the possibility for a sequel, where Beatrice could continue her vengeful campaign against cheaters and liars. In this potential follow-up, Beatrice could select new targets for her body-swapping game, using her traumatic experiences as motivation to deliver her twisted form of justice. If a sequel happens, Beatrice would likely become a more prominent horror villain, much like John Kramer from the Saw franchise.
It’s What’s Inside leaves audiences wondering what Beatrice will do next, hinting at a larger story that may explore her journey of revenge and punishment.
