Swallow, the story of Hunter, a housewife compelled to swallow dangerous objects (a psychological condition called pica), is a well-acted film, especially thanks to Hayley Bennett’s performance.

I watched this one hoping to understand the cause of Hunter’s very unhealthy compulsion. The good news is that writer/director Carlo Mirabella-Davis does offer an explanation. However, the way the story is told and edited made Swallow feel incomplete to me.

As the movie played, I kept thinking, ‘Something’s missing here.‘ And honestly, I’m not convinced ‘psychological thriller’ is the right label. Psychological? Yes. Thrilling? Not quite. I didn’t feel the film went deep enough into its characters or its themes, and the ending felt rushed. For instance, I wasn’t entirely convinced by the final actions of the live-in nurse. I simply wasn’t shown enough to believe it.

As a body-horror film, Swallow definitely gets gross and uncomfortable at times, not only because of what you see, but because of what you’re forced to imagine. It reminded me how grateful I generally am for how well my insides work.

Beyond Bennett’s performance, I enjoyed the cinematography: the beauty of the couple’s home, the surrounding nature, the colours, and Hunter’s wardrobe.

At the start, I found myself frustrated by Hunter. Her repression felt more like something from the 1940s or ’50s. But compassion kicked in once it became clear she was suffering on multiple levels.

Swallow is one to watch if you’re especially curious. It might even be the kind of film you didn’t know you needed. For me, though, it wasn’t quite that.

Happy Film Loving,

G