Abhiroop Das
With Quinn Shephard as the creator, Netflix’s ‘The Body‘ begins with a catholic school dance team welcoming its newest teammate, Grace Franklin, with a strange, horrifying initiation ritual, one that leaves Grace comatose. With only the rest of the teammates aware of what has transpired, they decide on a pact of silence, as the rest of the town gets enveloped in paranoia. Somewhere between psychological horror and mystery, however, the show also introduces us to the relationship of Anya and Elise, which can hardly be fitted into a label. As co-captains of the team, the two naturally spend a lot of time together and become friends, but as the story progresses, their feelings for each other deepen until they ultimately reach a point of no return. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Anya and Elise’s Complex Relationship Introduces us to a Spectrum of Queer Identity
Anya and Elise’s relationship lies in the emotional core of ‘The Body,’ as we see them go from friends and dance partners to something more than that. This is hardly a bump-free journey, though, and the characters’ questions regarding their sexuality make for much of the tension on screen. While both Anya and Elise start the show by making off-handed demeaning jokes about queerness, especially lesbianism, this is revealed to be a part of the tough exterior they put up for the world. Deep down, however, both have feelings for each other, and this gradually gives way to a sexual relationship, one marked by constant secrecy, committment issues, and anxieties.
Out of the two of them, Elise initially appears to be the one more comfortable with her own sexuality, frequently teasing Anya about her sex life. However, things take a turn when the two briefly become intimate, prompting Anya to become curious about her own orientation. While we see her in a relationship with Steven, there are numerous clues in the narrative that point to Anya conforming to social expectations in this case rather than expressing her true feelings. That said, the show never puts a label on her sexuality, leaving fans guessing. Elise, on the other hand, remains crystal clear about her feelings for Anya. Nonetheless, their relationship takes a tragic turn by the end of season 1, as Anya breaks Elise’s heart by ending it and suppressing her own sexuality.
Both Kristina Bogic and Sara Boustany Have Kept Their Sexual Orientations Private
Neither Kristina Bogic nor Sara Boustany, who play Anya Butler and Elise Zakaria, respectively, have spoken publicly about their respective sexual orientations, as of writing. While the show may focus on Anya and Elise’s queer romantic storyline, it is one that strictly exists in the realm of fiction. That said, both actors keenly understand the lives of the characters they essay, and that leads to some ingenious creative decisions when it comes to their performance. Boustany, for instance, told Tudum that Elise’s story is about representing one-sided or unrequited love, something she saw as “sadly common in queer relationships.” In the same vein, the actor hoped that Elise’s arc would make viewers feel less alone, which speaks to the show’s sensitivity to human experiences.
Bogic’s approach to Anya is also filled with creative nuances, particularly in how differently the character responds to her two partners. In her conversation with Tudum, the actor noted that she differentiated the way Anya kisses Steven from the way she kisses Elise, with the latter feeling more “primal, like this is something she had to do.” At the same time, Bogic is conscious of Anya’s struggle to embrace her sexuality, and this is baked into the performance. With both Bogic and Boustany giving their all to the roles, Anya and Elise emerge as two queer characters whose stories truly resonate with the audience.
Read More: The Body Ending Explained: Does Grace Wake Up? Is She Really God?
You must be logged in to post a comment.