Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Predictable body-switching comedy has positive messages.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Swap
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 5 parent reviews
Based on 15 kid reviews
Kids say the film is a decent family-friendly option, with heartwarming themes and relatable morals, but it also suffers from cringe-worthy moments and a predictable plot. While many appreciate its positive messages about self-love, friendship, and family, some viewers found it disappointing in terms of adaptation from the original book, criticizing the changes made to characters and story elements.
- family-friendly
- heartwarming themes
- predictable plot
- disappointing adaptation
- good morals
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
What starts as an innocent tit for tat over stresses and struggles lands classmates Ellie O'Brien (Peyton List) and Jake Malloy (Jacob Bertrand) in the challenge of their lives after they inexplicably switch bodies in THE SWAP. Now, instead of fighting for the last spot on the varsity hockey roster, Jake must take Ellie's place in a key rhythmic gymnastics meet and figure out how to patch up her friendship with longtime BFF Sassy (Kiana Madeira). Meanwhile Ellie has to brush up on her hockey skills; keep up with Jake's older brothers, Gunner (Callan Porter) and Stryker (Jesse Bostick); and traverse a tricky relationship with Jake's emotionally distant dad (Darrin Rose), who also happens to be his coach. With a gender gap evident, complex family relationships, and some serious pressure to succeed, Ellie and Jake race the clock to set things right in time to return to their own bodies.
Is It Any Good?
Though not particularly original in concept, this feel-good movie has strong themes about family relationships, emotional honesty, and self-advocacy. Ironically it takes living each other's lives to inspire Ellie and Jake to make the necessary changes in their own, but in both cases the teens learn to project their needs and express their feelings. In so doing, they address some serious concerns such as the loss of a loved one and coping with abandonment issues. This makes for some heavy scenes and tense encounters, always with a positive result.
Kids will like seeing familiar Disney stars List and Bertrand in these new roles, and no matter how many times it's revisited, the body-swapping plot is always a winner. In this case the gender divide just adds to the fun, setting up plenty of scenes in which Ellie and Jake have funny experiences walking a mile in the other gender's shoes. Though it offers few surprises, The Swap is a fun movie the entire family can watch together, but the more serious themes -- and Jake's testy relationship with his father throughout most of the story -- might need some further explanation for younger kids.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about dealing with difficult emotions, the way Jake and Ellie do in The Swap. Do your kids ever feel overwhelmed by responsibilities or expectations? What outlets do they have for coping with stress?
Kids: You can't literally walk in someone else's shoes, but in what ways can you try to experience another person's life? Why is it important to respect others' experiences? On the other hand, what do you have in common with your friends?
How do the characters exhibit strong communication? What does doing so do for their relationships? Why is it important to express your feelings rather than keeping them to yourself?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 7, 2016
- On DVD or streaming : June 19, 2018
- Cast : Peyton List , Jacob Bertrand , Kiana Madeira
- Director : Jay Karas
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Multiracial Movie Actor(s)
- Studios : Disney Channel Original Movies , Monarch Home Entertainment
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Book Characters , School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Communication
- Run time : 100 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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