A young woman's obsession with a pop star takes a dark turn.A young woman's obsession with a pop star takes a dark turn.A young woman's obsession with a pop star takes a dark turn.
- Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys
- 6 wins & 26 nominations total
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Summary
Reviewers say 'Swarm' delves into obsessive fandom, mental illness, and societal pressures with a dark, satirical approach. The series is lauded for its unique narrative, striking visuals, and standout performances, especially by Dominique Fishback. However, opinions vary on its pacing, coherence, and character likability. Some find it provocative and artistically daring, while others deem it slow, disjointed, or excessively graphic. Its critique of modern celebrity culture and social media elicits both praise and criticism.
Featured reviews
I am really enjoying this series. It really is doing something fresh, about obsessive fans, especially the super fan; it may sound like its about Beyoncé-but it could be about anyone who has a following.
As others have noted, it is slow, but the build-up and character revelation is stunning.
For a series, it's filmed, edited and scripted in a very cinematic way. I love all the oversaturated colours and the monotonous, grinding soundtrack.
I was impressed with Paris Jackson and Billie Eilish were a welcomed addition to the story line - good casting choices.
What I like the most is that the main character, played by Dominique Fishback - she is brilliant, just super brilliant. She comes across as a real, life punctuated by flashes of mayhem and murder. She's different from other roles played by Black women - so proud and pleased. Her authentic lost soul and obsession with food and her idol are the driving forces of this show. Dominique plays her personality disorder so brilliantly that it is chilling. She is incredibly talented in this role, because you can see the psychopath within at every turn and that's not an easy thing to achieve.
I'm not sure where it's going and that's what keeps me watching. I want more shows like this with Black people taking the lead role.
As others have noted, it is slow, but the build-up and character revelation is stunning.
For a series, it's filmed, edited and scripted in a very cinematic way. I love all the oversaturated colours and the monotonous, grinding soundtrack.
I was impressed with Paris Jackson and Billie Eilish were a welcomed addition to the story line - good casting choices.
What I like the most is that the main character, played by Dominique Fishback - she is brilliant, just super brilliant. She comes across as a real, life punctuated by flashes of mayhem and murder. She's different from other roles played by Black women - so proud and pleased. Her authentic lost soul and obsession with food and her idol are the driving forces of this show. Dominique plays her personality disorder so brilliantly that it is chilling. She is incredibly talented in this role, because you can see the psychopath within at every turn and that's not an easy thing to achieve.
I'm not sure where it's going and that's what keeps me watching. I want more shows like this with Black people taking the lead role.
This show did none of the things I expected it to. A fantastic character study with captivating performances and cinematography, and creative sound design. The pacing was a perfect mix of exciting and artistic violence with periods of contemplation.
While I'm not up to date on all the Beyonce drama, I thought this was an engaging look at obsession and the extremes it can be pushed to.
I really love Glover's touch with the camera. He's not afraid of long still shots and extreme closeups, and there's never a boring shot. And I cannot praise the sound design and soundtrack enough. The buzzing bees and ominous stingers (no pun intended) when Dre's psyche are tested add so much suspense and reminded me of Candyman in the best way.
While I'm not up to date on all the Beyonce drama, I thought this was an engaging look at obsession and the extremes it can be pushed to.
I really love Glover's touch with the camera. He's not afraid of long still shots and extreme closeups, and there's never a boring shot. And I cannot praise the sound design and soundtrack enough. The buzzing bees and ominous stingers (no pun intended) when Dre's psyche are tested add so much suspense and reminded me of Candyman in the best way.
Pretty much a must for Donald Glover fans, granted it might have benefited from a little Lakeith Stanfield/Darius energy.
I've said elsewhere that horror is not my cup of tea, but this film has more going on then just the grisly. That said, are bodies the new car crashes for film. (As a youth my mind would drift elsewhere during the requisite automotive destruction, these days must I do the same as a body is bludgeoned. Sigh...)
Anyways, this short 7-episode series covers a lot of territory, and not just on the Wuronos trail.
Do you lose yourself in celebrity adoration?
Do you lose yourself in a nasty family upbringing?
Do you lose yourself in a dank nightclub?
Can you lose yourself in a new town/identity?
Do you lose yourself in a relationship? (Actually thought a relationship might save the lead character at one point).
These various deviation points (and the whole "Cop" episode, easily the funniest) might make this less rewarding for some viewers who want a consistent feel and flavor. But did you watch "Atlanta?" Glover get bored before his audience does, and that to me is a good thing!
That and the ugly duckling uglier transformation of Dominique Fishback made this a two-night binge success for me. Even if there is the sad element that black women have to work twice as hard to kill half the number of people.
Anyways if any of my reviews irritate you so much I make your target list, let's have lunch first (no steak knives please) and talk about the things we have in common.
I've said elsewhere that horror is not my cup of tea, but this film has more going on then just the grisly. That said, are bodies the new car crashes for film. (As a youth my mind would drift elsewhere during the requisite automotive destruction, these days must I do the same as a body is bludgeoned. Sigh...)
Anyways, this short 7-episode series covers a lot of territory, and not just on the Wuronos trail.
Do you lose yourself in celebrity adoration?
Do you lose yourself in a nasty family upbringing?
Do you lose yourself in a dank nightclub?
Can you lose yourself in a new town/identity?
Do you lose yourself in a relationship? (Actually thought a relationship might save the lead character at one point).
These various deviation points (and the whole "Cop" episode, easily the funniest) might make this less rewarding for some viewers who want a consistent feel and flavor. But did you watch "Atlanta?" Glover get bored before his audience does, and that to me is a good thing!
That and the ugly duckling uglier transformation of Dominique Fishback made this a two-night binge success for me. Even if there is the sad element that black women have to work twice as hard to kill half the number of people.
Anyways if any of my reviews irritate you so much I make your target list, let's have lunch first (no steak knives please) and talk about the things we have in common.
It is hard not to notice Dominique Fishback's subtle yet stellar performance alongside veteran Samuel L. Jackson in "The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey." Her acting talents scream depth in that series and I very much look forward to seeing her in a lead role. Well, she secures it here in "Swarm" and I can say that nobody else could have done justice to this complex role besides her. Fishback has that unique ability to convey emotions just with her face and body language. And when she has words to say, she melts into the character. She is pretty much the highlight of this TV series. "Swarm" is well-edited with some eclectic cinematography, however most supporting characters I find rather forgettable, except for Hailey, impressively played by Paris Jackson. Towards the middle, the episodes just churn repetitively, so it gets a bit boring. But it ticks up a little in the last two episodes.
I'm on the old side (50s) and not the target market, but I have to say that I'm really enjoying this series. Basically, it's about an obsessed fan and her murderous journey as a superfan of the Beyonce-inspired pop figure Ni'Jah.
As others have noted, it is slow, but I'm enjoying the buildup and character revelations. Unfortunately, it's probably too slow for a younger audience, but oldies like me grew up with slow so I've got no problem with it. For a series, it's filmed, edited and scripted in a very cinematic way. I do love all the oversatured colors and the monotonous, grinding soundtrack. Paris Jackson shows off her screen presence and great comic timing in a small role.
What I like is that the main character, played by Dominique Fishback, comes across as an actual person, living an ordinary life punctuated by flashes of mayhem and murder. She's not all that sympathetic, but almost like a lost soul whose obsession with food and her idol are the driving forces in her life. Dominique plays her as a blank canvas who slips on various personalities, depending on the situation. She incredibly talented in this role, because you can see the psychopath within at every turn and that's not an easy thing to achieve.
I'm not sure where it's going and that's what keeps me watching.
As others have noted, it is slow, but I'm enjoying the buildup and character revelations. Unfortunately, it's probably too slow for a younger audience, but oldies like me grew up with slow so I've got no problem with it. For a series, it's filmed, edited and scripted in a very cinematic way. I do love all the oversatured colors and the monotonous, grinding soundtrack. Paris Jackson shows off her screen presence and great comic timing in a small role.
What I like is that the main character, played by Dominique Fishback, comes across as an actual person, living an ordinary life punctuated by flashes of mayhem and murder. She's not all that sympathetic, but almost like a lost soul whose obsession with food and her idol are the driving forces in her life. Dominique plays her as a blank canvas who slips on various personalities, depending on the situation. She incredibly talented in this role, because you can see the psychopath within at every turn and that's not an easy thing to achieve.
I'm not sure where it's going and that's what keeps me watching.
Did you know
- TriviaEvery episode deals with real news stories, real events, or Internet rumors that have happened.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 75th Primetime Emmy Awards (2024)
- How many seasons does Swarm have?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Runtime34 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.50 : 1
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