Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- warm
- awkward
- date night
- lazy sunday
What critics said
Critics found the premise and appealing cast charming, especially Jason Bateman's awkward performance, but considered the script too trite and dependent on familiar romantic comedy formulas.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Wally's drunken interference with the donor sample creates a hidden biological connection between him and Sebastian.
Wally and Kassie's long friendship is complicated by his unspoken love for her after she chooses artificial insemination.
Wally is characterized as hypochondriacal, awkward, emotionally repressed, and prone to anxious comic behavior.
Kassie leaves and later returns to New York City while deciding whether the city can support her family life.
Films like The Switch, and why
About a Boy
shared romantic comedy structure, single-parent family themes, and gently awkward male protagonist
The Kids Are All Right
shared unconventional family formation, ensemble romantic comedy, and warm contemporary relationship drama
The Back-up Plan
shared fertility premise, relationship complications, and formula-aware romantic comedy tone
My Best Friend's Wedding
shared best-friends-to-romance dynamic, neurotic humor, and emotionally accessible ensemble comedy
Movie Details
- Directors
- Josh Gordon, Will Speck
- Release Date
- 2010-08-20
- Runtime
- 101 min
- Rating
- 6.2 / 10 (2084)
Cast
- Jennifer Aniston
- Jason Bateman
- Patrick Wilson
- Thomas Robinson
- Jeff Goldblum
- Juliette Lewis
- Victor Pagan
- Todd Louiso
- Scott Elrod
- Rebecca Naomi Jones
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, Cinemax Amazon Channel, Cinemax Apple TV channel
- 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 The Switch about?
- A neurotic New York best friend must confront his hidden love when an unconventional path to parenthood brings Kassie and her son back into his life.
- What is The Switch like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Switch as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Switch violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Switch.
- What did critics think of The Switch?
- Critics found the premise and appealing cast charming, especially Jason Bateman's awkward performance, but considered the script too trite and dependent on familiar romantic comedy formulas.
- Which films are like The Switch?
- Films with a similar feel include About a Boy, The Kids Are All Right, The Back-up Plan, and My Best Friend's Wedding.
- How long is The Switch?
- The Switch runs 101 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Switch?
- In United States, The Switch streams on fuboTV, Cinemax Amazon Channel, Cinemax Apple TV channel.
