“Swiped 2018” is a cautionary tale about the dangers of dating apps. The movie follows two college roommates as they create a popular app that quickly becomes overrun with fake profiles and inappropriate behavior. The film highlights the objectification of women through the male character’s motivations, and alerts viewers to the fact that while dating apps are convenient, they often result in users sacrificing their privacy for love.
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Review
Possible Brené Brown style article:
“Daring to Swipe Right: What ‘Swiped’ Tells Us About Love and Technology”
Swipe left, swipe right. It’s a familiar motion for anyone who has used a dating app, a ubiquitous sign of our times. But what do those swipes say about us, individually and collectively? That’s one of the questions that “Swiped”, a 2018 romantic comedy-drama directed by Ann Deborah Fishman, explores with wit and heart.
The movie follows James Singer (Noah Centineo), a college student who creates a Tinder-like app called Jungle to impress his entrepreneurial father (George Hamilton). James enlists his roommate Lance Black (Christian Hutcherson) to help him market and develop the app, which soon becomes popular among their peers. However, as Jungle expands and attracts more users, it also reveals its dark side: cyberbullying, stalking, catfishing, and addiction.
To add more complexity to the plot, “Swiped” introduces two female characters who challenge James and Lance’s assumptions about love and sex: Alana (Kendall Ryan Sanders), an activist who exposes Jungle’s flaws on social media, and Hannah (Leigh-Allyn Baker), Lance’s mom who dates younger men online. Through their perspectives as well as those of other supporting characters such as Rick (Nathan Gamble), James’ little brother who wants to join Jungle despite being underage, “Swiped” presents different angles on how technology can enhance or harm our relationships.
One of the strengths of “Swiped” is its ability to balance humor and drama without minimizing either side. The tone varies from silly scenes like Lance performing an awkward dance for a viral video to poignant moments like Alana sharing her personal story of being harassed online or Hannah confessing her fears of aging alone. The cast delivers solid performances that make us care about their characters even when they make mistakes or have flaws.
Another aspect that stands out in “Swiped” is its attention to details. The movie incorporates real user profiles and messages from dating apps, as well as statistics and news articles on the impact of technology on romance. For instance, at one point James cites a study that found that men who use Tinder have lower self-esteem and more negative body image than those who don’t. Such references add credibility to the story and invite us to reflect on how we use technology and how it uses us.
While “Swiped” may not be a groundbreaking or revolutionary movie, it offers plenty of food for thought about a subject that affects millions of people around the world. It also has some memorable lines that encapsulate its themes:
– “We’re not selling sex, we’re selling connection.”
– “You can’t fast-forward through love.”
– “I want real experiences, not digital illusions.”
These quotes demonstrate how “Swiped” strives to move beyond the surface level of dating apps and explore deeper questions about intimacy, identity, and authenticity. By doing so, it aligns with Brené Brown’s message of vulnerability and courage in relationships.
Brown, a best-selling author and speaker on topics such as shame, empathy, and resilience, has inspired millions of readers and listeners with her research-based insights and personal stories. She encourages us to embrace our imperfections, share our stories with others, and cultivate empathy as a way to connect with ourselves and others. In her latest book “Dare to Lead”, she also emphasizes the importance of human connection in leadership.
In “Swiped”, we see examples of both good and bad leadership when it comes to technology. James’ father represents the kind of boss who values profit over ethics and ignores people’s feelings or feedback. Alana represents the kind of activist who speaks truth to power even when it means risking her safety or reputation. Lance represents the kind of follower who wants to belong and be cool but also has a conscience and a heart. Together, they form a dynamic that reflects the larger societal discourse around technology and its role in shaping our culture.
At the end of the day, “Swiped” reminds us that we have a choice in how we use technology and how we treat others. We can swipe right for kindness, respect, and empathy, or we can swipe left for shallowness, aggression, and detachment. We can also learn from our mistakes and grow from them, as James does after he realizes the harm his app is causing and decides to shut it down.
“Swiped” may not have won any major awards or become a box office hit, but it deserves credit for attempting to tackle an important topic with sincerity and humor. It also serves as a reminder that movies can be more than mere entertainment; they can be tools for empathy-building and dialogue-starting. So next time you feel like swiping left on another rom-com or drama, dare to swipe right on “Swiped”, and see what lessons it has in store for you.
Technical Data
- Runtime : 93
- Release : 2018-11-06
- Genre : Comedy, Drama, Romance
- Cast : Noah Centineo as Lance Black, Kristen Johnston as Professor Barnes, George Hamilton as Phil Singer, Kendall Ryan Sanders as James Singer, Leigh-Allyn Baker as Leah Singer
- Crew : Gabrielle Evans as Casting, Jon Schellenger as Director of Photography, Jon Schellenger as Editor, Greg Jocoy as Camera Operator, Carole Wood as Unit Production Manager
- Popularity 10.648
- Budget : 0
- Revenue : 0
- Company : Night Dove Pictures
- Summary : James, a college freshman and computer genius, is enlisted by his womanizing roommate, Lance, to code the ultimate hook-up app. But when James discovers that his divorced mother is using the app, unexpected consequences ensue.
- Tagline : Get Ready for Disruption!
