Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Slightly unsettling, but ultimately weird and wonderful.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Swiss Army Man
What's the Story?
Hank (Paul Dano) is stranded on a deserted island, in total despair, when a body washes up on the beach. Desperate for companionship, Hank tries to revive him, but to no avail; he's dead. But the body's frequent gas emission gives Hank an idea, and he starts to ride it like a motorboat. It brings him to someplace new, a strange woods. Hank, along with the corpse -- whom he names "Manny" (Daniel Radcliffe) -- begins to explore, look for food, and try to find rescue. Meanwhile, Manny starts to speak, and Hank decides to teach him all about life, using trash littered everywhere to make beautiful, illustrative objects. Trouble begins when Manny sees a photo of a girl (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) on Hank's phone and becomes obsessed with finding her.
Is It Any Good?
This is the kind of bizarre, original, risk-taking independent movie that's increasingly rare to find in an era of superhero and action movie franchises. It's weird, amazing, and refreshing. Co-written and co-directed by Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, Swiss Army Man is a compendium of strange ideas, beautiful things, some disturbing thoughts, and a touching friendship that can only be found in movies about actual people.
Notwithstanding his amazing performance as Brian Wilson in last year's Love & Mercy, Paul Dano has never been better as a man wrestling with his identity and humanity, finding wonderful humor in every situation. The filmmakers decorate the screen with such astonishing images -- including a bus made of sticks and junk -- that viewers are constantly swept away. On the other hand, the movie's frequent discussions of bodily functions and death, while grounding, are a bit of a turn-off. But that's the only quibble in an otherwise extraordinary movie.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Swiss Army Man's premise. What's the effect of having a dead body as a main character? Is it gross? Scary? Interesting? Does it qualify as violence? Why or why not?
How does the movie make you feel overall? Is it a feel-good movie, a disturbing movie, or a combination of both? What made you most uncomfortable? What made you happiest?
How does the story demonstrate teamwork? Why is that an important character strength?
What's the movie's message about friendship? Can you think of other unusual movie friendships?
Is the main character's creativity -- making things from discarded objects -- inspirational? Have you ever made something beautiful out of something no one wanted?
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 24, 2016
- On DVD or streaming : October 4, 2016
- Cast : Paul Dano , Daniel Radcliffe , Mary Elizabeth Winstead
- Directors : Daniel Scheinert , Dan Kwan
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : A24
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Friendship
- Character Strengths : Teamwork
- Run time : 95 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language and sexual material
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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