‘The Body’ Review: Netflix Mixes Dance and the Devil for Wickedly Addicting YA Drama

"The Body," a new Netflix series, blends elements of supernatural horror, queer coming-of-age and psychological drama, all set against the backdrop of a Catholic high school dance troupe's initiation ritual gone awry. The show, which contains supernatural and religious themes, has been described as "part Yellowjackets, part Gossip Girl, but heavy on the Jesus."

The story begins on Halloween 2004, with characters using AOL instant messenger, Kelly Clarkson ringtones, and President George W. Bush's second term still fresh in people's minds. Anya Butler (Kristina Bogic) and Elise Zakaria (Sara Boustany) are co-captains of the Lions dance team, trying to find a new member before competitions.

Grace Franklin (Sofia Wylie) and Lisbeth Anderson (Geena Meszaros) are two of the girls auditioning. Grace is a new student whose uncle is the school's "hot" priest, while Lisbeth is a peculiar new student with bleached eyebrows.

During a Halloween party hosted by the Lions, Grace is initiated into the team through a playful ritual, which involves offering herself up as a "sacrificial virgin" and taking ecstasy with the girls. However, things take a dark turn when Grace becomes unresponsive the next day, and rumors of nightmares and "visions" of Grace begin to spread. Lisbeth, who has grown up in an extremist religious environment, sees an opportunity to exploit the situation and gain control over the team and the community.

Meanwhile, Grace's loved ones, including her uncle, parents, and best friend Maddie, are all affected by the situation. Father Franklin, Grace's uncle, struggles with whether Grace is possessed or simply holding spiritual power, while Maddie questions why she's the only one not experiencing visions of Grace. The series explores themes of hysteria, manipulation, and the harm that can be done by injecting a little bit of fear into an oppressive religious landscape.