The body-horror movie featuring Cooper Koch is Swallowed (2022), written and directed by Carter Smith. Koch plays Benjamin, a young man whose plans to leave Maine for Los Angeles are derailed by a drug run that turns into a grotesque ordeal. It is a separate film from Netflix’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, where Koch plays Erik Menendez.
What is Swallowed about?
Benjamin is preparing to leave Maine and pursue work in adult entertainment. His friend Dom (Jose Colon) wants to help him financially, but a drug run goes wrong and traps the two in a night of escalating danger. Jena Malone and Mark Patton also star.
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![Swallowed [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51BhShuJ0wL._SL160_.jpg)
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Swallowed [Blu-ray] | $19.52 | Buy on Amazon |
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SWALLOWED | Buy on Amazon | |
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![Pride [BLU_RAY]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/418UNwrDKdL._SL160_.jpg)
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Pride [BLU_RAY] | $12.56 | Buy on Amazon |
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Monster House | $14.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Umberto D. (English Subtitled) | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
The setup blends psychological thriller and body horror, using drugs, bugs, and physical vulnerability to put pressure on the friendship at the center of the story. That premise is best approached without plot details beyond the setup: later developments include major body-horror turns.
The film runs about 95 minutes. Apple TV lists it as 1 hour 35 minutes, while the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) records an approximate runtime of 95 minutes.
#1 Best Overall
How Swallowed differs from Koch’s role in Monsters
Koch’s performance as Erik Menendez in Netflix’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story brought him to many viewers’ attention. Swallowed offers a sharply different kind of role: an intimate survival-horror story built around Benjamin’s friendship, ambition, and bodily peril rather than the dramatization of a criminal case.
Is Swallowed a queer horror movie?
Yes, queer identity and culture are part of the film’s world, but the plot is not organized around coming out. In an interview with PRIDE, Koch said, “What’s so special about this film, is that it’s not necessarily about the queer experience. It’s not about being gay, it’s not about coming out.” He said he hoped to see more stories with characters like these.
Rank #2
Smith connected the film’s horror to the experience of being an outsider. “So much of horror is about being an outsider,” he said, describing how a character’s “otherness” can help them survive. His framing treats outsider status as a potential strength, not simply a weakness.
Content to know before watching
The BBFC’s UK classification advice lists strong nudity, drug references, threat, and horror. Apple TV’s US listing is marked 17+ and describes strong language, nudity, and drugs. These are territory-specific classification and storefront details, not a universal rating. Expect disturbing body horror; the BBFC notes a forced-removal sequence involving ingested drugs, while stating that the strongest detail is not shown.
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- Film
Koch has described the film’s nudity as serving the story rather than being included for attention. That is his characterization in an interview with The Queer Review, not a general content classification.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where to watch or own Swallowed
The Queer Review reported that the film would be available digitally and on demand in the United States from February 14, 2023. Apple TV also has a US-store listing. Digital catalogs vary by country and can change, so check your local storefront for current availability.
Rank #4
For physical media, Vinegar Syndrome lists a standard-edition Region A Blu-ray associated with Yellow Veil Pictures. Its listed extras include interviews with Smith, Colon, and Koch, as well as a director commentary. Region A compatibility matters: check that your Blu-ray player supports the disc’s region before buying.
Digital viewing is the simpler option if the film is available in your territory. The Blu-ray is for viewers who prefer owning a disc or want the listed interviews and commentary. Current seller, stock, and price can change; check the retailer and label listings directly.
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