'Swapped' Review: A Netflix Animation About Truth, Community, and Perspective
A family-friendly body swap story that explores the depth of truth, friendship, and community
Swapped makes its debut today, May 1, on Netflix, and it is a film that confronts perspective to make room for truth.
Starring Academy Award winner Michael B. Jordan, Juno Temple, Cedric the Entertainer, Justina Machado, Lolly Adefope, Ambika Mod, and Tracy Morgan, Swapped is a buddy comedy of two forest creatures who go on an adventure of a lifetime literally in one another’s body. It’s a Freaky Friday of animalistic proportions and just as fun for the entire family to enjoy.
Where Trope Meets Depth
Ollie (Jordan) and Ivy (Temple) are natural sworn enemies in The Valley, but after an ill-fated run in with a magic pod, they turn into the very creature they despise the most: each other.
But what starts as a film with the traditional trope of “let’s learn how hard it is to walk in your shoes so we learn a lesson and switch back” quickly turns into a film about access, resources, stereotypes, and ignorance.
The heart of the film is rooted in the childlike wonder of making new friends and doing everything your parents tell you not to do—hanging out with the “wrong crowd,” jumping off things you shouldn’t, and staying up way past your bedtime. However, that adventure wraps itself warmly in a beautiful lesson of community.
The Dangers of Stereotypes and Assumptions
The performances by Jordan and Ivy are bright, the chemistry coming together beautifully on screen as Ollie's and Ivy’s friendship blooms in spite of their differences. They rely on one another’s strengths, explore where their weaknesses can actually be used to their advantage, and through their actions, they prove to the other creatures of The Valley that no one needs to be enemies; everyone can live in harmony.
But stereotypes and ignorance rear their ugly heads—animals in The Valley are not willing to see beyond old tales and rumors to accept the truth that they’ve been living a lie the entire time.
Everyone’s hyperfocus on their disadvantages within their corner of the forest blinds them to the unity that lies ahead when stepping outside your comfort zone to ask for help from someone who doesn’t look like you.
And, in true family-film animated fashion, that is what makes Swapped shine.
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“That sounds like a heavy burden.”
But all isn’t well in The Valley. In every corner, an unknown source eradicates the natural resources, causing a community of creatures to suffer. The animals blame each other and their groups for the lack of food sources, but Ollie and Ivy discover a more insidious reason.
In the race to rescue the forest, they must confront an uncomfortable truth within themselves—blame.
Blaming the self.
Blaming the other.
Blaming the universe.
Final Review
Swapped is an adventure you never want to leave.
In a world where ignorance continues to divide, this film reinforces the value in working together to achieve greatness.
Stream Swapped now on Netflix. Check out the trailer below.