Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- absurdist
- irreverent
- melancholic
- indie movie night
- offbeat date night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as an unusually inventive, odd, and well-acted tragicomedy, while acknowledging that its eccentric premise and uneven development may alienate some viewers.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Hank and Manny's survival journey repeatedly turns farting and other bodily functions into both comic spectacle and a vehicle for confronting shame.
Hank's relationship with the talking corpse Manny transforms an otherwise isolated survival story into an intimate dialogue about identity and belonging.
The deserted island forces Hank's suicidal despair, social anxiety, and imaginative self-expression into direct confrontation.
Manny's uninhibited behavior and Hank's response challenge the social control surrounding desire, embarrassment, and acceptable self-presentation.
Films like Swiss Army Man, and why
Lars and the Real Girl
Shares an offbeat buddy-film structure, absurd bodily humor, emotional vulnerability, and themes of loneliness and self-acceptance.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Combines surreal fantasy, unconventional romance, playful production design, and bittersweet emotional introspection.
Being John Malkovich
Features eccentric humor, outsider protagonists, heightened reality, and a tender exploration of connection and social alienation.
The Lobster
Uses absurdist comedy and a strange central premise to explore depression, friendship, and the desire to escape ordinary social constraints.
Movie Details
- Directors
- Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert
- Release Date
- 2016-06-24
- Runtime
- 97 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (3928)
Cast
- Paul Dano
- Daniel Radcliffe
- Mary Elizabeth Winstead
- Antonia Ribero
- Timothy Eulich
- Richard Gross
- Marika Casteel
- Andy Hull
- Aaron Marshall
- Shane Carruth
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Swiss Army Man about?
- A suicidal castaway and a magically versatile corpse stumble through an exuberant, grotesque, and unexpectedly tender journey toward connection.
- What is Swiss Army Man like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Swiss Army Man as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Swiss Army Man violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Swiss Army Man.
- What did critics think of Swiss Army Man?
- Critics broadly praised the film as an unusually inventive, odd, and well-acted tragicomedy, while acknowledging that its eccentric premise and uneven development may alienate some viewers.
- Which films are like Swiss Army Man?
- Films with a similar feel include Lars and the Real Girl, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Being John Malkovich, and The Lobster.
- How long is Swiss Army Man?
- Swiss Army Man runs 97 minutes.
- Where can I watch Swiss Army Man?
- In United States, Swiss Army Man streams on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.
