Swallowed

Play trailer

2:01

Swallowed

R

2022

1h 33m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

LGBTQ+

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

51 Reviews

66%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

After a drug run goes bad, two friends must survive a nightmarish ordeal of drugs, bugs and horrific intimacy.

Critics Consensus

Although its second half is difficult to digest, Swallowed is an admirably unusual -- and overall effective -- mixture of body horror and romance.

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Leslie Felperin

Guardian

04/18/2023

2/5

Where a viewer might expect a few more layers of symbolism and subtext to enrich the film, it turns out there’s not really anything here other than a juvenile desire to shock and scandalise.

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Randy Myers

San Jose Mercury News

03/08/2023

3/4

A lean and mean horror film with a[n] LGBTQ twist and solid performances and taut direction.

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Noel Murray

Los Angeles Times

02/17/2023

A memorably intense experience, with sharp points to make about how the lives of outsiders and outlaws can tip in an instant into sloppy chaos.

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Kat Halstead

Common Sense Media

09/25/2023

3/5

Swallowed relies heavily on both the narrative arc and the acting of Koch as Benjamin to keep the unruly tonal shifts on target, while Jena Malone's powerful urgency picks up the pace when things start to slump.

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Alan Jones

Radio Times

09/21/2023

3/5

Though it is rather long-winded and some moments prove difficult to swallow, this unsettling psychodrama is both atmospheric and creepy, and boasts a truly startling conclusion.

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Sharai Bohannon

Horror Movie Blog

08/14/2023

Swallowed is an indie film that promised us Queerness, body horror, Jena Malone, and Mark Patton. However, it delivers tension, discomfort, and so much more. I expected it to be a fine film and was pleasantly surprised from the moment I hit play.

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DMC M

@Dee1957 Mar 31

This has to be the worst movie I have ever seen. Is this something at appeals to gay men? Good lord, what a steaming pile of dog $#@&. Instead of a plot or good acting you have nudity and a ridiculous story that was dreamed up by a moron. Carter Smith - give up.

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Eddie T

@Mystify Mar 8

There are movies so awful that they can make you hurl up even the lightest of snacks. This is one such movie. The acting is abysmal, and the plot is lame. Nothing entertaining here.

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Eli R

@RT14831313 Oct 20

Not my favorite watch, definitely for a different audience. I was expecting more goldfinch vibes wa slet down. Super stressful watch.

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Todd R

@RT97779214 Sep 30

Was looking for some cool body horror, but this ain’t it. The acting was atrocious, the plot nonexistent. I’m not sure what the point of this movie is. Good premise but fails on absolutely every level. Had to start a rotten tomatoes account to say how bad this was. This movie has no redeeming qualities.

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michael C.

@MichaelC2 Jul 31

Held my interest throughout. Was very suspenseful. Enjoyed it.

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Jerod S

@jeroduptown 03/07/2025

Koch is the one that keeps this film from crashing - and when he and his friend are stuck with bugs up their butts, things go bad.

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Carter Smith

Director

Jena Malone

Actor

Cooper Koch

Actor

Jose Colon

Dom

Mark Patton

Actor

Carter Smith

Screenwriter

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Swallowed: Trailer 1

2:01

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Synopsis

After a drug run goes bad, two friends must survive a nightmarish ordeal of drugs, bugs and horrific intimacy.

Director: Carter Smith
Producer: Carter Smith, Noah Lang, Helio Campos, Ross O'Connor
Screenwriter: Carter Smith
Production Co: Leroi , Witchcraft Motion Picture Company, All the Dead Boys
Rating: R (Pervasive Language|Drug Content|Disturbing/Violent Content|Some Sexual References|Strong Graphic Nudity)
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 14, 2023
Runtime: 1h 33m