Body Cam is watchable I would say, but the execution feels a bit too uneven for my tastes overall.
Synopsis
Bodycam follows two police officers (Jaime Callica, Sean Rogerson) who, after a fatal, accidental shooting during a domestic dispute, attempt a cover-up, only to discover they are being watched by a terrifying, supernatural force.
Bodycam Good Points
Tight Runtime
At around 75 minutes, the film moves quickly and avoids any unnecessary padding, and everything moves forward in a timely manner.
Strong Central Moral Conflict
The situation involving the mistaken shooting and the attempt to erase the bodycam footage does give the story a clear ethical dilemma.
Effective Claustrophobic Perspective
The first-person camera angle really helps to create a limited field of view, where the dark interiors make the environment feel fairly tense.
Solid Lead Performances
Jaime M. Callica and Sean Rogerson carry the film well, where Jackson’s quiet moral pressure contrasts with Bryce’s panic about the consequences of his actions.
Gradual Build-Up
As mentioned, the pacing is done well, and the film introduces the strange occurrences without overly rushing it, where it shows a skill for restraint and pacing.
The Environment
Sequences where the officers seem trapped in the same streets were good, and they add quite an unsettling feeling.
Consistent Visual Style
It fully commits to the bodycam perspective, and never feels messy, which helps make the presentation feel cohesive.
Bodycam Bad Points
Shaky Camera Limitations
Yes, this is to be expected, but sometimes it’s a bit too much, and here, when characters start running, it becomes quite chaotic and difficult to follow.
Predictable Escalation
Anyone familiar with found-footage horror will likely see the progression of events coming well before the final act.
CGI In The Final Act
The climax introduces heavier digital effects that clash with the raw bodycam style the film had maintained throughout.
Limited Backstory
The supernatural force is intentionally mysterious, but I would have liked to have seen some more explaination about it.
Uneven Tone Shift
The film begins like a gritty police drama, before moving into supernatural horror, and the transition feels a tad uneven.
Safe Story Choices
While the concept is certainly interesting, it doesn’t take many big risks with its narrative once the central premise is established.
Final Thoughts on Bodycam
Bodycam was watchable enough for me, if a bit predictable and frustrating at times, but it’s worth a watch!
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