Swallow

Play trailer

2:15

Swallow

R

Released Mar 6, 2020

1h 35m

Mystery & Thriller

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

87%

Tomatometer

134 Reviews

69%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

A young housewife in a seemingly perfect marriage develops pica, the irresistible urge to ingest inedible objects and material.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

Swallow's unconventional approach to exploring domestic ennui is elevated by a well-told story and Haley Bennett's powerful leading performance.

Read Critics Reviews

G. Allen Johnson

San Francisco Chronicle

Whatever.

Rated: 1/4

Feb 17, 2021

Full Review

Greer McNally

Time Out

This is Bennett's show... It's a role you can imagine a young Isabelle Huppert playing, and there's no higher praise than that.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 17, 2021

Full Review

Sara Stewart

New York Post

Bennett, who's been largely off the radar for a while, is heartbreaking and, eventually, fierce as her character begins to crave change.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 17, 2021

Full Review

Alan Jones

Radio Times

Functioning as a warped fairy tale, Swallow poses provocative questions about the expectations imposed on women, and the psychologically damaging effects of a patriarchal culture.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 9, 2023

Full Review

M.N. Miller

Ready Steady Cut

Swallow has an uncommon raw power that most films can’t reach.

Rated: 4.5/5

Aug 27, 2022

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Depending on where you land on certain things I can see the ending being interpreted as hopeful, tragic, or even repulsive.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 25, 2022

Full Review

Read all reviews

Audience Member

This film is not about a bird, but about an activity: the urge to consume inedible, even life-threatening items as a woman's way to express her inner desire to escape her cozy, yet overly controlled life. Beautifully shot and well acted, this award-winning film keeps the viewer engaged to the rather surprising end. You won't look at a AA battery the same ever again!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

Full Review

Bronwyn P

While the acting and scenery were impressive, I can’t help but see this movie as a waste of time. It started off good but honestly, it ends in tragedy where termination is seen as freedom. It feels like there was no real payoff. Sure, the dad gave her reassurance, but that… that was it? I can’t really get behind this movie.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

08/21/25

Full Review

acsdoug D

RT lists this film as a "thriller." I wouldn't go that far, but "bizarre" is not an official category. I liked it though.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/19/25

Full Review

Edward B

Seemingly goes along in a well directed manner howevet he lead is unbearable unlikeable and plain annoying the ending is so bad with absolutely no payoff Waste of a good premise...disappointed don't waste your time

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/27/25

Full Review

Esra Y

Unsettling and very sad. Movie requires you to give your attention and empathy to it's character. Class and racial difference in behaviour and ability to sympathize explored well. Haley Bennet's performance is very moving.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/14/25

Full Review

Ben T

It was just kind of boring. It was nicely shot and the acting was great, but the plot wasn't there.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/10/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Carlo Mirabella-Davis

Director

Haley Bennett

Hunter

Austin Stowell

Richie

Denis O'Hare

Erwin

Elizabeth Marvel

Katherine

David Rasche

Michael

Burn

50%

46%

Burn

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Burn

The Ones Below

76%

47%

The Ones Below

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Ones Below

Unhinged

49%

77%

Unhinged

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Unhinged

The Wolf Hour

44%

44%

The Wolf Hour

Watchlist

The Secrets We Keep

62%

42%

The Secrets We Keep

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Secrets We Keep

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Best Movies Off the Radar 2020

Onward Is Certified Fresh

Swallow: Trailer 1

2:15

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

A young housewife in a seemingly perfect marriage develops pica, the irresistible urge to ingest inedible objects and material.

Director: Carlo Mirabella-Davis
Producer: Carole Baraton, Frédéric Fiore, Mollye Asher, Mynette Louie
Screenwriter: Carlo Mirabella-Davis
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: Stand Alone Productions, Syncopated Films, Charades, Logical Pictures
Rating: R (Some Sexuality|Language|Disturbing Behavior)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 6, 2020, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 6, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA): $31.3K
Runtime: 1h 35m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Most Popular at Home Now