MOVIE REVIEW: Jennifer's Body (15)

Diablo Cody is riding the crest of a wave. The stripper-turned-blogger-turned-author-turned-Oscar winning scriptwriter won the hearts of America (and the academy) with ‘Juno’, has created a successful TV show and is now attempting to crack the horror genre with ‘Jennifer’s Body’. It stars Megan Fox, a lady whom herself has been enjoying worldwide attention of late. 

BFF’s Jennifer (Fox) and Needy (Amanda Seyfried) seem to have an unbreakable friendship, despite the former being a cheerleader and the latter a bookworm. That is until Jennifer becomes possessed after watching a mysterious band and disappearing into the night with them. With boys at their school dying daily by her hand, can Needy stop her friend before it’s too late?

It’s an interesting premise, ‘The Exorcist’ crossed with ‘Scream’ on paper. Cody’s smart dialogue pokes through at various intervals ("She's actually evil. Not high school evil."), but smart-talking characters still need a story, which sadly isn’t really here. For a horror there are surprisingly few scares, and not enough laughs to call it a comedy. We’re treated to glimpses of both, but overall the plot just plods along.

Whilst the producers clearly use her popularity with the chaps as a selling point (‘LOOK! SHE’S KISSING A GIRL!!!!’), it’s still hard to gauge whether Fox is inspired or demented casting. As an ever-so-slutty high school babe there are few more visually suited, but beyond the tight jeans and pout it’s yet again a fairly empty and wooden performance, lifted only slightly by Cody’s dialogue. Seyfried, fresh from happier times in ‘Mamma Mia!’, is a good counterbalance and one of the better things about the film. There’s much more fun to be had from the support roles, however, including school principle J.K. Simmons (the shouty editor from ‘Spider-man’) and ‘The O.C.’s’ Adam Brody as the band’s moody lead singer.

There are moments of smartness to Cody’s writing that suggest this may be what sportsmen call ‘second season syndrome’, i.e. having a disappointing blip after a strong debut. However, even the most steadfast fan must admit this is no ‘Juno’, as this floppy horror doesn’t even meet the standards of the genre, let alone subvert it. It’s also another clue that Fox may, in fact, just be a pretty face and not much else. Amusing in parts, but over all a misfire.

Jennifer's Body hits UK cinemas November 6.