Swan Song
Apple TV+ | Release Date: December 17, 2021
6.9
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 38 Ratings
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23
Mixed:
11
Negative:
4
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9
HerickDienerDec 19, 2021
"Swan Song" é o meu tipo favorito de filme. Aquele que nos faz pensar a respeito de uma realidade diferente e distante, mesmo que ela seja dolorosa.

Mahershala Ali está fenomenal. É difícil assistir a um de seus filmes e conseguir imaginar"Swan Song" é o meu tipo favorito de filme. Aquele que nos faz pensar a respeito de uma realidade diferente e distante, mesmo que ela seja dolorosa.

Mahershala Ali está fenomenal. É difícil assistir a um de seus filmes e conseguir imaginar outra pessoa para interpretar seu papel. Ele o agarra e ninguém tira.

Durante os momentos de dúvida do personagem o filme se estica mais do que necessário. Enquanto sua parte final conta com duas cenas que cairiam como uma luva para encerrar o filme. Eu teria deixado apenas uma. Mas os pontos supracitados não borram a boa experiência que a trama nos deixa.

E Glenn Close... você é a maior. Entenda.… Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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8
TVJerryDec 18, 2021
Mahershala Ali plays a husband/father with a terminal illness. A doctor (Glenn Close) offers him an exact clone to take over his life with his family. The futuristic elements are cool without being too gimmicky and the locations areMahershala Ali plays a husband/father with a terminal illness. A doctor (Glenn Close) offers him an exact clone to take over his life with his family. The futuristic elements are cool without being too gimmicky and the locations are beautiful, but this is really a personal drama. What makes it work is Ali’s solid performance. He subtly, yet powerfully captures his character’s dilemma (although he had too many teary scenes). Naomie Harris, who plays his wife and co-starred with Ali in Moonlight, also creates a layered portrayal. Quietly-paced films like this can be tedious, but first time writer/director Benjamin Cleary has crafted a thoughtful meditation of life and relationships that’s not especially moving, but is sincerely compelling. NOTE: This is not to be confused by the gay comedy the same name that was released earlier this year and starred Udo Kier… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
Brent_MarchantDec 18, 2021
The inevitability of death -- and the effort to manage (possibly even forestall) the fallout that comes in its wake -- is a serious matter for us all, one that truly deserves profound contemplation, the kind that's rarely seen in the movies.The inevitability of death -- and the effort to manage (possibly even forestall) the fallout that comes in its wake -- is a serious matter for us all, one that truly deserves profound contemplation, the kind that's rarely seen in the movies. But that's where writer-director Benjamin Cleary's debut feature "Swan Song" steps forward. This moving sci-fi offering about a young husband and father facing a premature death, and a provocative solution to ease the blow on his uninformed surviving family members, poses a variety of deep questions and an array of moral dilemmas for a man who wants to do right but is unsure how to handle his circumstances. While the film suffers from some occasional pacing issues in the first half, it nevertheless delivers a number of affecting moments as the picture moves toward its heart-tugging conclusion, providing touching dramatic moments not often seen in films of this genre. The picture's gorgeous cinematography and clever special effects add elements of beauty and whimsy to the powerhouse performances of its superb cast, most notably that of Golden Globe Award nominee Mahershala Ali, who turns in yet another dynamite portrayal, easily one of the best male lead roles of the year. "Swan Song" may not make for light, fluffy fare, but it certainly is one of the most thought-provoking and important films of 2021.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
DawdlingPoetSep 4, 2022
This film has a Jordan Peele/Black Mirror feel to it. The main plot concept is decidedly unsettling and spooky - its a futuristic sci-fi film set on earth, with a moderate use of CGI. It's quite emotive and somewhat thought provoking. IThis film has a Jordan Peele/Black Mirror feel to it. The main plot concept is decidedly unsettling and spooky - its a futuristic sci-fi film set on earth, with a moderate use of CGI. It's quite emotive and somewhat thought provoking. I suppose it reminded me a little of Ex Machina. It's partly a film about memories - questioning their validity, somewhat, I suppose. Authenticity vs artificiality. Suffice to say, it's very much a 'what if?' film. I thought Glenn Close gave a particularly good performance in this too… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
r96skFeb 15, 2022
'Swan Song' doesn't dig as deep as I thought it might have, though it is still a film I found to be intriguing.

It has a fab cast list, with Mahershala Ali producing the goods in the lead role. Naomie Harris, Awkwafina, Glenn Close and Adam'Swan Song' doesn't dig as deep as I thought it might have, though it is still a film I found to be intriguing.

It has a fab cast list, with Mahershala Ali producing the goods in the lead role. Naomie Harris, Awkwafina, Glenn Close and Adam Beach also feature. I kinda feel like I wanted to see more of them, though that could just be as actors - rather than their characters, who are shown enough.

This 2021 film holds a lot of heart so it's difficult not to attach yourself to the story, in that regard I particularly enjoyed the ending. It's a slow burn but never drags. 3* for me, it's worth a sit through I'd say.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
benjanzenFeb 28, 2022
Swan Song is much more of a subtle and character focused sci-fi film than I expected, and all the better for it. I was fascinated by the premise and moral dilemmas that it presents and was completely enthralled with every twist and turn. ASwan Song is much more of a subtle and character focused sci-fi film than I expected, and all the better for it. I was fascinated by the premise and moral dilemmas that it presents and was completely enthralled with every twist and turn. A beautifully shot film with fittingly modern and sleek visuals, and a performance from Mahershala Ali that I think is being seriously overlooked. One of the most underrated films of 2021!… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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9
CLAYTAYLOR21Dec 28, 2021
Swan Song, a film that unfortunately doesn't seem to be getting the buzz it deserves, poses ethical quandaries that are important to consider as technology continues to evolve. The main character, played be Mahershala Ali, is faced with manySwan Song, a film that unfortunately doesn't seem to be getting the buzz it deserves, poses ethical quandaries that are important to consider as technology continues to evolve. The main character, played be Mahershala Ali, is faced with many of these questions as he tries to make an impossible decision. While all of the acting is wonderful, the standout performance is easily that of Ali, who brings the character of Cameron Turner to life and makes all of the key moments extremely emotional. This is especially true of the climax, which brought me to tears. I do think that this event could have worked even better if Cameron hadn't yet made up his mind, but it was still one of the most impactful scenes I've seen in a movie this year. Swan Song is also beautifully shot as it showcases natural landscapes as well as futuristic technology. My only major flaw with the film is that there was one character whose inclusion to the story felt unnecessary and didn't exactly match the tone, but this character's presence was minor, so it wasn't too big of a game changer for me.
Swan Song is an emotional character study that will leave viewers asking themselves questions about what they would do if they found themself in Cameron's position.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
MATPWFeb 6, 2022
Exceptional orchestration of story, cinematography, musical score, sound, directing, and acting. The Cast - represents the origins of Africa, Europe, Asia, and the First American Nations. Poignant, soothing, warm, funny, and awe-inspiringExceptional orchestration of story, cinematography, musical score, sound, directing, and acting. The Cast - represents the origins of Africa, Europe, Asia, and the First American Nations. Poignant, soothing, warm, funny, and awe-inspiring Lovely locations for filming.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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5
bertobellamyDec 24, 2021
At first, 'Swan Song' looks like an Apple concept products ad, and then it turns into the usual derivative sci-fi film with a "profound" moral dilemma.

Mahershala Ali — who finally shines in a leading role — plays Cameron, a terminally illAt first, 'Swan Song' looks like an Apple concept products ad, and then it turns into the usual derivative sci-fi film with a "profound" moral dilemma.

Mahershala Ali — who finally shines in a leading role — plays Cameron, a terminally ill man that contemplates the possibility of leaving a clone to live with his family when he's gone.

The premise is cool and all, but the execution is poor. The philosophical, ethical, and moral questions that the protagonist's decision convey are far from being explored here. Apart from Ali, the only other interesting character is his wife, played by Naomie Harris. Glenn Close and Awkwafina are completely irrelevant.

The film tries to go into 'Blade Runner' — there's even an origami moment! — and 'Ex-Machina' territory, but it all just stays on the surface.

Like 'Finch' and 'Foundation', the recent sci-fi Apple projects pretend to ask difficult questions about being human, but almost everything in them looks fake and very calculated. Hope they would take more risks in the future.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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6
FadeBlackJan 26, 2022
Decent performances and interesting concept, but the plot choices rob it out of anything memorable.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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6
JLuis_001Dec 21, 2021
The issues this film raises when you have a theme that proposes the power to negotiate with death and your acceptance of it, you really need to have convincing arguments so that the plot doesn't feel like a sloppy attempt at science fiction.The issues this film raises when you have a theme that proposes the power to negotiate with death and your acceptance of it, you really need to have convincing arguments so that the plot doesn't feel like a sloppy attempt at science fiction.

Swan Song confronts rather complex existential questions ranging from identity, integrity, grief, guilt and lying.
The latter is handled with the idea that it's for a good, and yet it also provokes many questions about trust between the ones you love.

Its handling, ultimately, is not the best. At one point, after the second act, the film stalls in its inability to deliver a more agile narrative, but good performances keep it sufficiently focused.

Naomie Harris and even Awkwafina herself stand out, but the star is Mahershala Ali, as it is his character who goes through all the dramatic ups and downs the story has to offer.

Swan Song is nothing exceptional, but it was much better than I initially expected.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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3
Mauro_LanariDec 19, 2021
(Mauro Lanari)
A scifi moral dilemma cannot be a thought-provoking drama, precisely because it belongs to a too distant future that most likely none of us will have the opportunity to live. So it's a functional film to redirect our attention(Mauro Lanari)
A scifi moral dilemma cannot be a thought-provoking drama, precisely because it belongs to a too distant future that most likely none of us will have the opportunity to live. So it's a functional film to redirect our attention away from the real problems here and now, or here and since ever, and that's one of the primary purposes of the multinationals (in this case Apple) that produce such diversions. And the extent of their appreciation indicates the degree of effectiveness of this strategy. By the way: if I really had a clone, I would try to see if we can be useful to understand each other better, "Swang Song" has some moments like that and they are the only exciting ones. Ps: Radiohead once again in the score and always with the same two tracks?… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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