By Design
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Movie Info & Cast
Synopsis
A twist on the body swap genre.
Cast
- Juliette Lewis
- Mamoudou Athie
- Samantha Mathis
- Robin Tunney
- Alisa Torres
- Clifton Collins Jr.
- Keir Gilchrist
- Madison McKinley
- Miranda Bailey
- Cristo Montt
Moviegoers are saying
Amanda Kramer's 'By Design' is a polarizing Sundance 2025 entry that literally transforms the body-swapping concept into people becoming furniture - yes, chairs specifically. This Lynch-inspired surreal nightmare divides audiences between those who appreciate its bizarre originality and gorgeous cinematography, and those who find it an pretentious endurance test that goes absolutely nowhere.
Top Mentions
Summary generated from the text of Atom User reviews
Letterboxd User Reviews
3.0
3.9K
2.9K
913
- Jan 23, 2025
I'm literally sat
ghostreelJan 24, 2025The Substance if Margaret Qualley was a chair
JordyJan 23, 2025Tap dancing rapist was a seriously underrated moment. Anyways, I actually found myself tearing up at the end. What an incredible metaphor for wanting to feel desired so badly that you allow for yourself to be used :(
theworstguy - Jan 30, 2025
sundance 2025 (virtually) yes, the premise is exactly how it sounds amanda kramer is definitely a director to look out for, I can’t wait to check out more of her work. a unique weird & bizarre take on the body swapping concept. slow paced but the costume design &…
joeJan 31, 2025Mamoudou Athie is a thespian of the highest order.
Robert DanielsFeb 23, 2026when you take the salvia that turns you into a chair
vivdagoat 🍎🍂🐞 - Jan 25, 2025
It makes sense that people are divided on this, but I thoroughly enjoyed my experience. By Design takes you through a sort of hellscape that sometimes vaguely, and sometimes startlingly, resembles real life. It’s absurd, dark, and sometimes laugh out loud funny. I’d much…
Brother BroJan 29, 2025What an all-time clunker. The kind of Sundance movie that would be featured in a comedy spoof about Sundance movies. After an amusing beginning, By Design quickly devolves into an endurance test for the viewer. Solid cast, cinematography, production design, but it’s all in…
Brian RoweJan 29, 2025would you still love me if I was a chair 👉🏻👈🏻
PJ
Atom Users Reviews
Metacritic
Feb 13, 2026
Amanda Kramer’s “By Design” is an oddball, almost-love story that has more to say about human dejection and desire than a lot of more conventional tales.
Peyton Robinson
RogerEbert.com
Feb 5, 2025
Inspired by objectification, By Design, by design, tests the patience of viewers via Kramer’s precise direction and controlled mise-en-scène, designed by Grace Surnow and photographed by Patrick Meade Jones––unfortunately, the challenge never feels rewarding. Perhaps that’s the point: aspirational luxury sells the sizzle, not the steak.
John Fink
The Film Stage
Jan 31, 2025
The insights and artistic inclinations that populate Kramer’s work aren’t for everyone, and there’s a good chance By Design won’t connect with most viewers. But the alienating nature of the premise is what makes it fascinating, pushing us to question how we want to be seen and experienced as people in the world.
Jourdain Searles
The Hollywood Reporter
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