The Body: Netflix’s Campy, Queer Horror Series Leans Into Its Messy Charm | Review

Netflix’s latest supernatural horror series, The Body, fully embraces the raunchy, campy elements that have defined the sapphic genre for decades. Created by Quinn Shepherd—the brilliant mind behind underrated LGBTQ+ titles like Not Okay, The Miseducation of Cameron Post, and Under the Bridge—the show centers on Catholic girls on a dance team whose initiation ritual goes horribly wrong. With its unique premise, the series was positioned as a natural successor to cult classics like Megan Fox’s Jennifer’s Body.

The show’s concept is further elevated by a cast composed almost entirely of up-and-coming actors. While casting newcomers is a risk, it offers a refreshing alternative to the recycled faces often seen across modern television. For the most part, the gamble pays off. Although a few ensemble performances feel shaky—most notably Kristina Bogic as Anya, who only finds her footing in the second half—standouts like Geena Meszaros (Lisbeth) and Sarah Boustany (Elise) truly carry the screen.

Much like its cast, the overall execution of The Body is a mixed bag, landing somewhere between fantastic and forgettable. The series leans positive in its portrayal of queer youth, but it certainly has some kinks to work out if Netflix decides to renew it for a second season.

Netflix’s The Body Is An Entertaining Satire Of Faith & Religious Institutions

One of the most striking aspects of The Body is its bold, sacrilegious humor, which serves as a major part of its entertainment value. The series takes sharp jabs at various religious institutions, making it clear that devout viewers might not appreciate its tone. From deals with the devil to satirical takes on religious divination, visions of God, and confessions, the show doesn’t hold back. It also layers its characters with a heavy dose of classic Catholic guilt, driving much of the interpersonal drama.

Undeniably a hot mess, The Body manages to be a campy, highly entertaining watch, bolstered by plenty of steamy sapphic moments.

The series also pokes fun at the stereotype of Catholic schools as breeding grounds for queerness. Beyond the supernatural horror triggered by a botched ritual, the true terror often stems from realistic human behavior. The terrible actions of certain characters mirror real-life occurrences, yet the show avoids painting every religious person as unreasonable. It grounds its most fanatical figures, like Father Franklin and Elise, in a sense of deep, rational faith.

Ultimately, the show’s unapologetic critique of organized religion is key to its appeal. Had it softened its edges to court a broader audience, The Body would lose both its sharp edge and its overall impact.

Inconsistent Pacing & Cliffhanger Ending Hurts Netflix’s The Body

Despite its strong satirical core, The Body is often messy in its execution. Many characters make decisions that feel highly implausible, prompting viewers to ask, “Why would anyone do that?” While this absurdity contributes to the campy entertainment value, it also proves maddening at times. Furthermore, the show features an unrealistic absence of parental figures, allowing for unrestricted drinking, drug use, and risqué choreography without any adult intervention, even when a student clearly struggles with a severe eating disorder.

On top of these narrative hiccups, the series suffers from highly inconsistent pacing. The pilot is excellent, successfully introducing the core characters, establishing the central conflict, and setting the tone. However, the subsequent episodes in the first half swing wildly between being too slow and excessively rushed. Trimming or tightening the narrative in episodes two, three, and four would have greatly improved the flow. Fortunately, the show finds its rhythm by episode five, becoming significantly more engaging.

That said, the climax and finale feel rushed. The narrative skips over key developments, forcing the audience to fill in logical gaps. While characters in a frenzy acting irrationally makes sense, the show struggles when even its more level-headed characters behave bizarrely. By the end, Elise stands out as the only character whose actions and reactions remain entirely coherent.

Image via Netflix

Importantly, the show’s intimate scenes feel authentic, written for the enjoyment of sapphic viewers rather than catering to the male gaze.

The most frustrating aspect of the finale, however, is its cliffhanger ending. While a cliffhanger might be standard for other networks or shows with multi-season renewals, Netflix’s track record of canceling acclaimed series after a single season—particularly sapphic titles—casts a shadow over The Body. If the show is not renewed, the unresolved narrative would make the series nearly unwatchable. The unanswered questions are not minor; they are central to the plot. The show tricks the audience into believing they have answers, only to pull the rug out, and its final moments introduce a massive new question that reframes the entire first season. Dreading the possibility of never receiving that resolution is a major downside to an otherwise fun watch.

The Body’s Campiness & Sapphic Scenes Mostly Make Up For The Weaknesses

Fortunately, the show’s campiness and sapphic elements largely compensate for its structural weaknesses. From the very first episode, The Body makes it clear it does not take itself seriously. The soundtrack is over-the-top, contrasting solemn moments like students receiving the Eucharist with sexualized close-ups of the dance team stretching. Refreshingly, the camera focuses on diverse body parts rather than relying on typical objectification. With a bedazzled, bright pink title card and highly exaggerated visual styling, the show fully commits to its campy aesthetic from the start.

The pilot reinforces this tone with college-frat-style party scenes that feel wild for a high school setting, complete with humorous references to “lady and the tramp-ing a joint” and an unexpected dance sequence. The dance team coach evokes a Mean Girls-esque archetype, and while the campiness only intensifies, further details would spoil the fun.

The series’ second major strength is its unapologetic queerness. Since the show’s sapphic focus was announced before the first trailer, the representation was highly anticipated. For queer viewers, there is an unmistakable authenticity when media is created by those with lived experience. Watching the series, it is clear that creator Quinn Shephard and her team bring genuine insight to the narrative.

The series is filled with in-jokes that may fly under the radar for non-sapphic viewers but resonate deeply within the community. It strikes a fine balance between joyful queer moments and the confusing reality of growing up in a repressive environment like Catholicism—a key goal for Shephard. Without spoiling specific pairings or plot points, the writing is deeply enjoyable, offering intimate scenes crafted for sapphic audiences rather than the male gaze.

Are these strengths enough to make The Body a great show? Not necessarily. Campiness and raunchiness can only carry a series so far. Yet, The Body is an undeniably fun, campy mess filled with compelling sapphic moments. With its unique blend of satire, horror, and queer joy, it has all the ingredients to become a cult classic akin to But I’m a Cheerleader or Jennifer’s Body.

All episodes of The Body premiere on Netflix on November 11.

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