“Bodycam” follows two police officers who attempt to cover up a tragic accident, only to reveal their body cameras aren’t the only things watching them.
Featuring one of the most memorable horror openings in recent memory, “Bodycam” begins in riveting fashion. It’s simplistic – officers responding to a domestic dispute call. But horror undertones are immediately at play. Whether it’s supernatural or cult-like terrors, however, remains open to interpretation.
“What would I do?” That’s exactly what “Bodycam” hopes the audience considers before the title card appears. It’s almost a lose-lose situation for the central characters, and the film succeeds at putting viewers in their shoes (literally, through the bodycam footage).
Darkness and Tension Drive the Scares
“Bodycam” utilizes darkness and different sources of lighting to its advantage. Whether it’s flashlights casting shadows or flashing red-and-blue lights reflecting off surfaces, the film has style. Cinematographer Clayton Moore manages to bring these pitch-black environments to life in creative ways – upping the scare factor in the process.
It’s not always the visuals that make it scary, though. Mixing the darkness with Joe Barrucco’s sound design heightens the tension at every moment. Shrieks for help, footsteps and muffled voices all aid in creating a number of effective jump scares.
Outside of the scares, “Bodycam” weaves in some social commentary. Themes of police brutality and good-versus-bad sit at the center. It also makes interesting points about communities themselves and the people within them.
Found-Footage Style Done Right
While found-footage-style movies can sometimes feel gimmicky, “Bodycam” is the opposite. Here, the POV shooting style actually serves a purpose. The constantly jolting movements keep you on the edge of your seat. And the tension really never lets up.
Jaime M. Callica (Officer Jackson) and Sean Rogerson (Officer Bryce) star in the film. Callica brings frantic energy to the screen, playing the sort of “good cop” placed in the middle of a terrible situation. Rogerson’s character is a little more unpredictable, and he sells it with up-and-down emotional delivery. These two have a lot of weight on their shoulders – and their constant back-and-forth dialogue works.
The movie also features a plethora of extras who form a group of “tweakers.” Many prove to be standouts, delivering memorable lines and creepy scenes along the way.
“You take something from him, he takes something from you.”
A Strange and Unsettling Descent
As the 75-minute runtime progresses, “Bodycam” only grows weirder. This strangeness may frustrate general viewers looking for something more traditional. Genre fans, however, are in for a treat.
“Bodycam” makes several bold decisions as the plot thickens. Writers Ryan and Brandon Christensen know how to bait-and-switch the audience. Alongside the characters, viewers themselves will likely enter a fractured state of mind as details continue to twist. Unable to tell what’s real and what’s not, the movie keeps introducing surprising elements.
This very much feels like a passion project from director Brandon Christensen. Every decision feels intentional – resulting in a rollercoaster ride that’s hard to look away from… no matter how tense it becomes.
“Bodycam” is found-footage horror done right. It features a simple premise but grows weirder until the very end. This is the first truly scary movie of the year.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
