Swan Song

Play trailer

2:10

Swan Song

Released Aug 6, 2021

1h 45m

Drama

LGBTQ+

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

103 Reviews

78%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

Legendary actor Udo Kier stars as retired hairdresser Pat Pitsenbarger, who escapes the confines of his small-town Sandusky, Ohio nursing home after learning of his former client's dying wish for him to style her final hairdo. Soon, Pat embarks on an odyssey to confront the ghosts of his past -- and collect the beauty supplies necessary for the job. SWAN SONG is a comical and bittersweet journey about rediscovering one's sparkle, and looking gorgeous while doing so.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

Udo Kier's layered performance lends Swan Song a nuance and poignancy that offset its potentially outlandish story.

Read Critics Reviews

Mark Kermode

Kermode and Mayo's Take (YouTube)

I was rather charmed by it. No, it doesn't change the world, no it doesn't do anything that's groundbreaking other than give Udo Kier the chance to show just how broad and sympathetic his range can be.

Jan 18, 2024

Full Review

Tara Brady

Irish Times

Inspired by a real-life Sandusky, Ohio legend, writer-director Todd Stephens crafts an impeccable odyssey that ponders love, loss, and attitudinal changes. “I wouldn’t even know how to be gay any more,” Pat tells Eunice, almost despairingly.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 16, 2022

Full Review

Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

Stephens’s film is an amiable little story, and Kier is clearly enjoying himself immensely, but this is as wafting and insubstantial as Patrick’s chiffon scarf.

Rated: 2/5

Jun 12, 2022

Full Review

William Stottor

Flick Feast

An elderly man comes out of retirement for one last job in Todd Stephens’ Swan Song, a moving, melancholic rumination on memories and past ghosts.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 3, 2024

Full Review

Marya E. Gates

Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack)

Just a beautiful film.

Feb 12, 2024

Full Review

Zoë Rose Bryant

Loud and Clear Reviews

Swan Song’s story may be simple, but Udo Kier’s colorful and charismatic character work makes this eccentric escapade worth a watch, along with its touching, life-affirming themes.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 1, 2022

Full Review

Read all reviews

Danny G

Brilliant and highly underrated!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/22/24

Full Review

Norma T

This film is a MUST SEE item that is both hilarious as well as inspirational. A much loved hair dresser goes out with a "bang" after making a glorious final statement....

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/07/24

Full Review

Alec B

The movie vacillates between overly sentimental and genuinely moving. Udo Kier is delightful here and most of the really moving stuff is the result of his performance.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/20/24

Full Review

Deborah S

Off-beat, quirky, incredible acting by Uno Kier. A great lesson in staying true to yourself regardless of your age. With the smallest gesture or expression, Kier conveys what he was like in his younger years. I absolutely loved this movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/10/24

Full Review

Daniel O

Good movie to watch once.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/22/23

Full Review

PridePosterStudios

How’s your head, Udo?

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/13/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Todd Stephens

Director

Udo Kier

Pat Pitsenbarger

Jennifer Coolidge

Dee Dee Dale

Linda Evans

Rita Parker Sloan

Michael Urie

Dustin

Ira Hawkins

Eunice

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

The Inspection

88%

91%

The Inspection

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Inspection

Lonesome

100%

50%

Lonesome

Watchlist

In from the Side

54%

89%

In from the Side

Watchlist

TRAILER

for In from the Side

Norwegian Dream

100%

50%

Norwegian Dream

Watchlist

Joe Bell

39%

72%

Joe Bell

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Joe Bell

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Naomie Harris’ Five Favorite Films

2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards Nominations

Swan Song: Trailer 1

2:10

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Legendary actor Udo Kier stars as retired hairdresser Pat Pitsenbarger, who escapes the confines of his small-town Sandusky, Ohio nursing home after learning of his former client's dying wish for him to style her final hairdo. Soon, Pat embarks on an odyssey to confront the ghosts of his past -- and collect the beauty supplies necessary for the job. SWAN SONG is a comical and bittersweet journey about rediscovering one's sparkle, and looking gorgeous while doing so.

Director: Todd Stephens
Producer: Todd Stephens, Eric Eisenbrey, Tim Kaltenecker, Stephen Israel, Rhet Topham
Screenwriter: Todd Stephens
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Production Co: House of Gemini, Doco Digital, Luna Pictures
Genre: Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 6, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 13, 2021
Box Office (Gross USA): $125.0K
Runtime: 1h 45m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Most Popular at Home Now