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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
Mind-Bending
Furniture-Fetish
Lynch-Inspired
Endurance-Test
Visually-Stunning
Absurdist-Horror
Summary generated from the text of Atom User reviews

Letterboxd User Reviews

3.0
3.9K
2.9K
913
RATINGS 12 FANS
3.0

Atom Users Reviews

No one has posted a user review yet.

Metacritic

75
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.

Metacritic review by Peyton Robinson
Peyton Robinson
RogerEbert.com
50
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.

Metacritic review by John Fink
John Fink
The Film Stage
80
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.

Metacritic review by Jourdain Searles
Jourdain Searles
The Hollywood Reporter