Swallow
Swallow

Swallow

2021Movie0English

Set in the 1980s, Tolani Ajao is a bank secretary in Lagos, who finds herself persuaded by her friend Rose Adamson to enter the world of drug trafficking.

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Insights

IMDb6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes80%
Metacritic70/100
Google Users83%
Director: Carlo Mirabella-DavisGenres: Drama, Thriller, Horror

Plot Summary

In 1960s New York, a newlywed housewife named Hunter leads a seemingly idyllic life with her wealthy husband, but a dark secret begins to emerge. Confined to her luxurious home and controlled by her overbearing husband and mother-in-law, Hunter develops an uncontrollable compulsion to swallow dangerous objects. As her condition worsens, it becomes a desperate and terrifying attempt to reclaim agency in a life that offers her no control.

Critical Reception

Swallow received widespread critical acclaim, with particular praise for Haley Bennett's performance and the film's striking visual style. Critics lauded its exploration of female repression and the psychological thriller elements, though some found the pacing deliberate. It was recognized as a powerful and unsettling debut for director Carlo Mirabella-Davis.

What Reviewers Say

  • Haley Bennett delivers a captivating and intense performance.
  • The film is a visually stunning and disturbing examination of female repression.
  • A thought-provoking and unnerving psychological thriller.

Google audience: Google users largely praised Swallow for its unsettling atmosphere and strong lead performance, with many appreciating its commentary on societal pressures faced by women. Some viewers found the subject matter challenging and disturbing, but the overall sentiment leans positive.

Awards & Accolades

Haley Bennett received nominations for Best Actress at the Independent Spirit Awards and the Gotham Independent Film Awards. The film also garnered attention on the festival circuit.

Fun Fact

Director Carlo Mirabella-Davis was inspired to write Swallow after his grandmother developed a rare eating disorder, and he sought to explore the psychological roots of such conditions in a cinematic way.

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