Swallow

An extremely self-aware A-to-Z psychological thriller about taking back your life through rituals of control, complete with patriarchal caricatures and metaphors of intrusion left and right (think Aronofsky's "mother!"--but a dark comedy).

Approaches the level of Snakes on a Plane or Teeth on self-aware high-concept absurdity, yet manages to be taken seriously thanks to a great performance by lead actress Haley Bennett, lush cinematography, and a constant stream of creative ways to push the autonomy message over the top (the first frames of the film are close-ups of farm-to-plate preparation of lamb meat).

Swallow is destined to be a cult-classic. It's the quintessentially bold, fun, and unique indie film festival offering (Anna and the Apocalypse was that film for me last year).

Highly recommended, but not for the squeamish.

I was weirdly taken with this movie. Reading the description, I was pretty hesitant about actually watching it but I'm so glad I did.

Swallow is a slow, ponderous, captivating and cringe-inducing story of a woman who's life is slowly unraveling when she finds that lap of luxury she's lovingly married into turns out to actually be a stifling gilded cage.

The psychological turmoil that Bennett portrays was really subtle and moving. We don't get a string of explanatory diatribes, we get her performance and it absolutely works.

This is hard to watch at times though. Our lead character does love up to the title. She swallows things. Things that shouldn't be swallowed and it's hard to watch but I found it incredibly effective.

Swallow is wonderful example of slowly building psychological distress and simultaneously a display of Bennett's skill. This is going to be a really unpleasant experience for a lot of people but if you can appreciate the exploration of the psyche then you may just enjoy the journey this takes you on.

Originality within the bounds of reality is a rare achievement in film or cinema these days. Haley Bennett leaves us under no illusion of the psychological strain her past and present circumstances have had and are having on her. Tormented in so many ways as so many people are in these confusing, evolving and ever changing times - our hunter gatherer minds can find all that's thrown their way a little tricky to wash down, but there are ways to compensate.

Tv was on and I happened to walk in the room after the film had just started. I adore the lead actress (she always kills it in her roles, girl on a train is a perfect example) and I found myself sitting down and watching it the whole way through because I couldn't believe what I was watching. Like others have said before, I found myself wanting this poor girl to get some real help, not what she was getting. My eyes would water up and I was even talking to the tv at her, trying to offer my own compassion for her. The ending wasn't all tied up in a happy little bow in some fairytale fashion. It was right for the story- in my opinion anyways. Gave me tremendous empathy for anyone suffering from what she was and why she most likely was. I was sad watching her story but I'm not sorry I watched it at all.

A disturbing & distressing story of loneliness, trauma, compulsion & isolation that's driven by an exquisitely layered performance from its leading lady, Swallow follows a pregnant housewife living a seemingly idyllic but emotionally stifling domestic life until she develops an obsession that allows her to break free from her controlled & submissive environment.

Written & directed by Carlo Mirabella-Davis in his feature directorial debut, the story utilises a compulsive eating disorder as its narrative tool to cover a woman's journey from a subdued & compliant wife to regaining control over her body & life. The silent camerawork & gradual pace fit the premise, while the neat yet suffocating ambience aptly reflect her own domiciliary existence.

While it is unnerving & uncomfortable to watch her new obsession take over her life, even more unsettling is the lack of empathy from her husband & his parents as they tighten their grip over her life after learning about her psychological disorder. This is one story that never would've made it to the finish line without a strong performance to steer it through, and Haley Bennett more than delivers in that role.

Overall, Swallow is far from an easy sit and is also uneven at times but it manages to create intrigue & interest with its offbeat approach & eccentric story, and exhibits sophistication in several aspects. Bennet's fab performance is the glue that holds it together but if you went in expecting a psychological horror with good dose of thrills, then this indie is bound to leave behind a slightly underwhelming aftertaste. Still not for the squeamish.