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Jennifer's Body (2009)

Time Out rating

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14 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

Described by director Karyn Kusama (‘Girlfight’) as ‘a tribute to the fierce power of oestrogen’, this coming-of-age horror comedy typecasts beautiful ‘Transformers’ star Megan Fox as Jennifer, a high school alpha female in the ‘Heathers’ or ‘Mean Girls’ mould. However, by going against the grain of the ’80s horror movies to which it pays affectionate homage – ‘Carrie’, ‘Fright Night’, slasher movies in general – the script by ‘Juno’ writer Diablo Cody explores the toxic friendship between Jennifer and her nerdy, speccy bosom buddy, Needy (Amanda Seyfried). ‘Sandbox love never dies,’ so they are best friends forever. But when Jennifer’s encounter with a diabolical indie band ends with her being sacrificed and transformed into a literally maneating demon, Needy must see through her one-sided girl-crush in order to end Jennifer’s bloody reign of terror.

A welcome antidote to the sexless romanticism of ‘Twilight’, Kusama and Cody’s female-driven horror comedy explores the premise that ‘hell is a teenage girl’. When the far from virginal Jennifer transforms, she simply becomes herself, but more so: her sexual power is magnified, she glows with health after feeding, and her cruel selfishness goes into overdrive. But not even Needy’s sensitive boyfriend Chip (Johnny Simmons) will believe that Jennifer’s body is now the embodiment of evil.

There are weaknesses: Kusama’s set-piece scare scenes aren’t always frightening, Cody’s trademark teen slang is occasionally more forced than arch, and the mysterious psychic connection between Jennifer and Needy is never explained. But by tapping in to the same vein of ‘hormonal horror’ as the excellent ‘Ginger Snaps’, this offers a witty, subversive look at the darker side of teen friendship.

Author: Nigel Floyd 2009-11-03 11:10:48

Time Out London Issue 2046: 5-11 November, 2009

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User reviews of this film

lauren said...

Posted on Nov 23 2009 14:52 I really enjoyed this. I think a lot of people going to view this film didn't realise that it's a parody and so left disapointed. Yes, this film is trashy, no, this film isn't scary and yes, it works really well. Go for a good time not to see something good. Saying that, it fulfills it's genre incredibly well and it's refreshing to see some decent female characters who aren't complete idiots or dependent on men to make their lives interesting.
Yay Jennifers Body! and Yay to all the actors who agreed to do it! You guys rock!

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Jara said...

Posted on Nov 22 2009 23:10 One of the worst movie that I've seen for last few years....

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Si said...

Posted on Nov 16 2009 16:43 This film is far from a materpiece. It is however if taken lightly a bit of fun and worth a watch. As has been noted by many, Megan Fox is never going to be winning any Awards for her on screne ability. But she is a very good looking woman, and thats what the role required so she filled that role more than adequatly. The film was a little different to the Horror genres that have gone before but i doubt its one that will move on or develop into anything more interesting.
Films that have mixed Horror and Comedy, such as Shaun of the Dead this is not; but its worth a watch.

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Thomas Noctor said...

Posted on Nov 16 2009 16:17 I watched this film in my hotel room in Chicago because I was bored. I thought this was going to be a horror film and was disappointed when I found out it was trying to be a comedy. It was awful, not as bad as Drag Me To Hell but none the less terrible!

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Becca said...

Posted on Nov 15 2009 17:24 I think the film was amazing. Not a film to be compared with the teen classic 'Mean Girls' admittedly, but sure is up there with the best. I do think that the film is more for the male audience in some respects but either way, a fun and energetic film to keep any teenager quoting for years =)

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usman latif khawaja said...

Posted on Nov 15 2009 13:03 megan fox cannot act and diablo cody is the most self indulgent female writer on the planet -the result is a lame ,depressing and stereotyped horror disaster which is trying to be humourous by feeding human entrails to rats and wolves -disgusting in every respect with absolutely terrible production and a CARRIE HANGOVER -WHICH IS hilarious but strictly in an inadvertent scenario -save your time and money-megan fox should just act as a barbie doll in future to save her career

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boothy said...

Posted on Nov 15 2009 10:49 megan fox is just a babe but the film to be honest is pretty shit! the music was so unnessaserry!!!

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klix said...

Posted on Nov 13 2009 17:36 Needy's childhood infatuation with Jennifer has survived a selfish structure dictated by Jennifer's desire to overarch Needy across the looks/love matrix of sexually maturing girls - until Jennifer skips town with a newbie rock band intent on promoting success via a satanic rite with Jennifer as the not so virginal sacrifice. This unleashes a torrent of bloodletting with Needy finally drawing a line at the poolside blood snacking of Chip, her caring boyfriend, by the demonically possessed Jennifer. Great stuff, hell on earth served up by the delectable Ms Fox.

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kirsty brooker said...

Posted on Nov 13 2009 09:08 i thought that this film was amazing megan fox is amazing, the horror is amazing and the story is amazing but overall i thought the film was shit and Mr Muscles thinks so to

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Richard Kline said...

Posted on Nov 11 2009 09:11 Terrific good fun, and one of the very few American-made films out this year worth the time. I'll agree that the dialoge escaped the context at times---but it was replete with such _savagely_ witty lines at times my ears would do a double-take, "Did they really just say THAT?" The script clearly was bursting with more ideas than they had time to film or reference properly. And the official 'ending' was rather a mash-up, and even rather nonsensical, but the coda ending following it was so choice it was worth the ticket! The characters were a bit underdrawn in the context of the script's effusion, but the performers were a game and talented lot who gave you reason to believe in _them_ if not always who they portrayed. To me, Diablo Cody needs a bigger stage, she's comin' up. And Nige, buddy, kudos to you for actually having _seen_ 'Ginger Snaps,' the only truly comparable film to this one, and a long-time fave of mine. There, the character development was keener, if the production values somewhat lower. These two films would make a killer drive-in double; so to speak.

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_Matt_1977_ said...

Posted on Nov 09 2009 11:27 An odd mix of horror, comedy and high school drama, but very enjoyable. And it's got Megan Fox!!
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It's nice to see a supernatural monster which looks human (and attractive) and isn't a vampire:- vampires are great but it's nice to have a bit of variety. I wonder if this film, or another film like it, could be the start of a whole new mythos?
...
Sequel please!!

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CatherineBray said...

Posted on Nov 03 2009 16:12 In total agreement with Nigel's review. This is superb trashy fun and a future cult hit. How many horror films are there that have convincing female characters as both the main force of evil and heroine? How many films for, by and about women that don't focus boringly on shoes, diets and being rescused by a knight in shining armour? This is Mean Girls with a horror twist. Delicious stuff.

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Seyi said...

Posted on Nov 03 2009 13:29 One of the worst movies i've seen this year. The trailer gives you the impression that you'd be scared but at the same time glued to your seat. It couldnt be more wrong.
The story line is shallow and even though the actors tried to pull it off, the movie is a miserable flop. I wouldnt recommend it for anyone. Even as a download. It's so not worth the space on a laptop. Very disappointed.

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Paul said...

Posted on Nov 01 2009 00:12 I took my teenage daughter to see this film and we both reached the same conclusion that it stank and was a car crash of a film, Apparently it is a poor rip off of some of the Twilight story lines and the film reminded me of The Twilight Zone. If you go expecting to be titillated by Megan Fox then stick to the trailer which makes the film seem good. The mandatory shots of Megan in shorts are there
and of course the glossed lips you want to lick and then stick her to the wall. Totalled bored, don't waste your money, get it in the Asda discount bin quite soon.

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