From Swapped to The Saviors, Should You Add These To Your Watchlist?
From body swaps to mind resets, these three very different stories all dig into how fear, identity, and perception shape the way we see others.
Affection
Happy Death Day’s Jessica Rothe is no stranger to time loop movies, but what happens when its just her mind resetting? In Affection, she plays Ellie, who has a disturbing condition that makes her unable to recognize her husband and daughter. Instead, each reset leaves her navigating an unfamiliar life.
Affection tackles loss, identity, and family in deeply unsettling way that will leave viewers surprised. In a twisted turn of events, you may even find yourself sympathizing with her husband as his desperation turns into something truly horrific. I do wish they explored more of Ellie’s “resets,” as we mainly focus on one, and digging deeper could’ve allowed for more artistic expression and stronger emotional stakes. Ultimately, Affection leaves you with more questions than answers, for better or for worse.
Affection hits select theaters on May 8.
Swapped
Michael B. Jordan and Juno Temple lead Netflix’s new animated film Swapped. It follows a small woodland creature and a majestic bird, natural enemies in The Valley, who accidentally swap bodies after coming across a magical plant. Together, they set off on an adventure to save their community.
This has to be my favorite Skydance Animation film yet. It balances intimate, visually rich moments, like little Ollie (Camden Brooks) exploring his surroundings, with impactful reveals that expand the story in exciting ways. Tracy Morgan is a stand out in a remarkably layered role. It all comes together in a beautiful story that celebrates community, empathy, and the environment.
Swapped is streaming now on Netflix.
The Saviors
Adam Scott and Danielle Deadwyler star in the new dark comedy The Saviors. An estranged married couple rents out part of their home to two siblings (Nazanin Boniadi and Theo Rossi), only to begin to suspect their guests of being involved in a terrorist plot.
Drawing from his experiences as an Iranian American navigating life in post-9/11 America, writer-director Kevin Hamedani brings a strong and deeply personal point of view to the film. He uses that lens to examine how fear and mistrust can take over and make us tragically unable to see each other clearly. Known for playing morally ambiguous and villainous characters, Rossi is especially well cast. He keeps you on edge trying to figure out who you can trust.
While the couple finds a strange sense of reconnection through their shared paranoia, the consequences of those assumptions are Earth shattering. It’s a compelling premise that shows how easily fear can distort the truth and cost us everything.
The Saviors is making its way through the film festival circuit as it seeks a global distributor.
