The 2024 movie It’s What’s Inside presents a darkly fascinating look at identity, social personas, and self-perception through body-swapping chaos and psychological manipulation. The film revolves around the complexities of how we relate to ourselves and others, particularly in a world that values external appearances and curated identities. Characters switch bodies, revealing how easily people can manipulate appearances and hide their true selves. This ties into themes of beauty and makeup in a powerful way.
Makeup, like the body-swapping in the film, allows people to alter how they are perceived externally, often to fit into societal expectations or to explore different facets of their identity. While makeup can be empowering, the film serves as a reminder of how dangerous it can be to rely solely on external appearances. Shelby, a character manipulated into believing she is not enough, embodies this idea as she attempts to become someone else—an influencer she idolizes—only to discover that what’s inside cannot be altered by appearances alone.
This psychological tension reflects how beauty practices, including makeup, can both express identity and obscure the authentic self. The danger lies in focusing too much on what others expect to see rather than what aligns with our inner truth.
Would a different body change your view of the world, or would the world’s view of you have a greater impact on your identity?