Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Graphic indie horror has strong language, nudity, drugs.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Swallowed
What's the Story?
In SWALLOWED, two friends, Benjamin (Cooper Koch) and Dom (Jose Colon), enjoy their final night together before Benjamin moves to Los Angeles. But when they are forced into a drug deal, their evening turns into a nightmare of fear, violence, and unexpected intimacy.
Is It Any Good?
While aspects of this indie horror may seem set up purely for gross-out notoriety, it offers a tense and emotionally poignant journey, as well as LGBTQ+ representation often ignored within the genre. 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. The body horror aspect is much lauded, and includes enough to repel some but no doubt disappoint hardened fans who may lament the squandered potential for more grotesque antics beneath the surface. It's uncomfortable viewing in places, but certainly never dull, and cements Koch as a bold young actor to watch.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Swallowed. Did any of the scenes make you squirm? Did you think they were necessary to the plot? Did they add to the experience or feel gratuitous?
How were drinking, drug use, and smoking portrayed? Were there consequences? Did it glamorize it?
Benjamin showed empathy toward Dom, even after he got them in trouble, and perseverance in attempting to get through increasingly difficult scenarios. Why are these important character strengths? Can you think of times you've shown empathy or perseverance in your own life?
Talk about the strong language in the movie. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
The film stars a gay actor as its lead and was created by a gay writer/director. Do you think it is important for LGBTQ+ creators to tell LGBTQ+ stories? What do you think is the effect of seeing more underrepresented groups on-screen? Why does representation matter?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : February 14, 2023
- Cast : Jena Malone , Cooper Koch , Mark Patton
- Director : Carter Smith
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Pansexual Movie Actor(s) , Gay Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Momentum Pictures
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Friendship
- Character Strengths : Empathy , Perseverance
- Run time : 96 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : disturbing/violent content, strong graphic nudity, pervasive language, drug content, and some sexual references
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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