Review of Swallow (2020) by Fightducksfight — 26 Apr 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 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.