Swan Song

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2:26

Swan Song

R

2021

1h 52m

Drama

Romance

Sci-Fi

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

80%

Tomatometer

100 Reviews

76%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

Set in the near future, "Swan Song" is a powerful, emotional journey told through the eyes of Cameron (Mahershala Ali), a loving husband and father who is expecting his second child with his wife Poppy (Naomie Harris). When Cameron is diagnosed with a terminal illness, he is presented with an alternative solution by his doctor (Glenn Close) to shield his family from grief. As Cameron grapples with whether or not to alter his family's fate, he learns more about life and love than he ever imagined. Written and directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Benjamin Cleary, "Swan Song" explores how far we will go, and how much we're willing to sacrifice, to make a happier life for the people we love.

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Critics Consensus

Swan Song occasionally strays on the wrong side of maudlin, but Mahershala Ali's work in dual roles lends this sci-fi drama genuine heart.

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Robert Levin

Newsday

12/31/2021

3/4

Mahershala Ali crafts two clearly defined characters, allowing for the movie to ask its familiar questions about how we define our humanity in a new way.

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Christy Lemire

FilmWeek (LAist)

12/24/2021

It raises some really intriguing ethical quandaries.

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Trace Sauveur

Austin Chronicle

12/22/2021

Cameron's journey is a complicated and poignant one, though the muted aura that maintains a rigid hush over scenes keeps the viewer at something of an emotional detachment.

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M.N. Miller

InSession Film

01/04/2023

B+

A stoic, moving film about working through anticipatory grief and coming to the realization that some things are bigger than ourselves.

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Mark R. Leeper

Mark Leeper's Reviews

09/18/2022

6/10

Cameron (Mahershala Ali) is dying, and to save his family from grief, he agrees to being cloned with all his memories except the ones that would tell him he is a duplicate. The plot has similar ideas to FRANKENSTEIN MUST BE DESTROYED, and also MOON.

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Zoë Rose Bryant

Loud and Clear Reviews

09/01/2022

3.5/5

Swan Song is sci-fi at its most stripped down and stirring, with the masterful Mahershala Ali (in his first lead role!) rooting the drama in grounded emotional realism.

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Christopher P

@ChrisPCreme Apr 10

Very thoughtful well made provocative film. Avoids going into typical thriller territory and stays close to the ethical dilemma. Lots of interesting conversation after.

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Marquis H.

@MWNumbers Dec 28

Well done. It leaves you with a lot to think about and reminds us to appreciate every day we have with our loved ones.

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Eric S.

@EricSt47 Oct 13

Outstanding performance from every actor in this film.

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Me A

@RT76032046 Jun 22

This movie was quite beautiful and thought-provoking ... Mr. Ali was stellar as always, with Ms. Harris and Ms. Close as amazing supporting characters. It was a little slow and meandering at times, but the character development was solid and the "what-if" factor will have me pondering the decision I would have made for a long time to come. Lovely, emotional movie.

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ssoonview K

@ssoonview 05/05/2025

I can’t believe an SF movie could be this sad! In the end, the only one who truly understands me is myself.

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William B

@RT58040769 04/10/2025

Took me 3 good years to watch this movie after watching a recap of it on utube. now I know why the movie has been on mind till now 10 april 2025..will forever be my favourite movie..all thanks to the director and the lovely cast members ❤darcy

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Swan Song: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Set in the near future, "Swan Song" is a powerful, emotional journey told through the eyes of Cameron (Mahershala Ali), a loving husband and father who is expecting his second child with his wife Poppy (Naomie Harris). When Cameron is diagnosed with a terminal illness, he is presented with an alternative solution by his doctor (Glenn Close) to shield his family from grief. As Cameron grapples with whether or not to alter his family's fate, he learns more about life and love than he ever imagined. Written and directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Benjamin Cleary, "Swan Song" explores how far we will go, and how much we're willing to sacrifice, to make a happier life for the people we love.

Director: Benjamin Cleary
Producer: Mahershala Ali, Rebecca Bourke, Jonathan King, Jacob Perlin, Adam Shulman, Mimi Valdés
Screenwriter: Benjamin Cleary
Distributor: Apple TV+
Production Co: Apple, Anonymous Content, Know Wonder, Concordia Studio
Rating: R (Language)
Genre: Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 17, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 17, 2021
Runtime: 1h 52m
Sound Mix: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)