Swallow

IFC Films | Release Date: March 6, 2020

6.4	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 51 Ratings

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BodyOfTheManyMar 9, 2020

About so much more than domestic ennui. If youve ever felt unwanted even by yourself, this film is for you.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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FIghtDucksFIghtApr 26, 2020

NOT HORROR- With that in mind, this film is brilliant and likely to disturb most to some degree. It is not grotesque or violent. It is Hailey Bennett and debut director guy Mirabella-Davis. Flawless acting, pacing and cinematography. All theNOT HORROR- With that in mind, this film is brilliant and likely to disturb most to some degree. It is not grotesque or violent. It is Hailey Bennett and debut director guy Mirabella-Davis. Flawless acting, pacing and cinematography. All the supporting roles are played brilliantly. Marriage Story comes to mind based off how well Driver, the Dern and Ms. Dansk Perfekt made their characters seem relatable to audiences by not overacting. Hailey Bennet isn’t going through a divorce; her character adopts a behavior that is so incomprehensible, yet she remains highly relatable throughout. I admire many of the films by Gasper Noé & Lars Von Trier that are clearly intended to be disturbing (for lack of a better word). Swallow‘s brilliance is unique in that the shocking behavior and unlikely circumstances are 100% believable. Hailey Bennet is friggin amazing. Her portrayal of a woman struggling with the mental disturbance she suddenly is unable to suppress is explored without exploitation. You follow her journey from a seemingly normal woman start to experience symptoms, her adaptive coping mechanism, her experience weighing the benefits with the severe consequences and then the film really takes off....inevitably a best actress nomination at the Independent Film Spirt Awards (Likely Best Picture foo) and no Oscar/Globe love. Mental illness/trauma/coping made all the more devastating by resisting the urge to force excess.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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moviemitch96Mar 26, 2020

In this disturbing little indie, a young, pregnant newlywed (Haley Bennett) finds herself feeling pressure and anxiety mounting all around her, so much so, that she develops a deadly habit known as pica, the strong urge to ingest inedible andIn this disturbing little indie, a young, pregnant newlywed (Haley Bennett) finds herself feeling pressure and anxiety mounting all around her, so much so, that she develops a deadly habit known as pica, the strong urge to ingest inedible and dangerous objects. Unresolved demons from her past threaten to get in the way of stopping her from breaking this disturbing habit. I'll be honest and admit that I was a little hesitant to give this one a go given the premise (I can get a little squeamish with stuff like this), but I'm also always looking to challenge myself and watch films or premises that'll really engage me for better or worse, and even if they might make me a little uncomfortable. Such was the case with this film, as I cringed and had to look away at times, but the way the story was developed was hard to turn away from, and Haley Bennett gives such an incredible performance! Overall, not for the faint of heart or squeamish at all, but for the few that can look past the somewhat off-putting premise, it delivers a powerful story with some powerhouse acting.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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SSRAug 14, 2020

I thought this was a fantastic story, that for once actually did a decent job of trying to portray what leads up to a mental health issue. Great performance by the cast, particularly Haley Bennett. Fab soundtrack also.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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DeanomiteMay 25, 2020

This was so good, like a modern take on Rosemary's Baby, Haley Bennett gave a wonderful performance, in Hardcore Henry she was excellent, that is a hard movie to stand out in. Here as well she became the role in a very strong way. TheThis was so good, like a modern take on Rosemary's Baby, Haley Bennett gave a wonderful performance, in Hardcore Henry she was excellent, that is a hard movie to stand out in. Here as well she became the role in a very strong way. The photography was beautiful, reminiscent of my favorite guy Chung Hoon Chung (Stoker), lots of primary colors and contrasts, natural greens and such. The camera never moves, giving a portrait feel, felt like Tokyo Story kind of, the camera never moved in that whole movie. A very well done movie, claustrophobic and somehow beautiful for every frame.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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darkly77May 23, 2021

A serious look into a caged young woman. IMO a perfect film.

Haley Bennett is impeccably absorbing, capturing the giddy highs and heart breaking lows of the human spirit. It's an emotional feast where almost everything happens between theA serious look into a caged young woman. IMO a perfect film.

Haley Bennett is impeccably absorbing, capturing the giddy highs and heart breaking lows of the human spirit. It's an emotional feast where almost everything happens between the lines.

Beautifully shot with outstanding sound design, Swallow guides us to a deeper empathy for the weight of forced subservience and the isolation that inherently surrounds it.

On metaphorical level, Swallow also explores the things we all do to deal with past and present trauma, and the forces that make those actions so compulsory.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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