Movie Review: ‘Swapped’ On Netflix

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Review by Adam Courtliff

Swapped follows Ollie (voiced by Michael B. Jordan), a small woodland creature known as a Pookoo, whose childhood curiosity and kindness led to the downfall of his kind. After inviting in a Javan, a majestic, colourful bird, to share a meal, its flock soon followed, consuming all of the Pookoo’s food. Now older, with his kind reduced to scavenging scraps, Ollie is determined to make amends and put right what he set in motion.

While on his quest, Ollie falls down a hole discovering a Dzo, a once magnificent walking orchard with the power to transform one creature into another, allowing animals to better understand each other. Long ago, this gift helped maintain harmony across the valley before everything was driven apart by the dreaded and fearsome Firewolf.

In a cruel twist of fate, Ollie is accidentally transformed into the very thing he fears most, a Javan. Ironically, not long after, Ivy (voiced by Juno Temple), a Javan who once tried to kill him, is turned into a Pookoo. This sets in motion a child friendly take on Freaky Friday, as the pair are forced to live in each other’s footsteps, gaining a clearer understanding of the valley and its inhabitants as they are plunged into a life changing adventure.

The core messaging of Swapped, while familiar, never wavers. Ollie and Ivy offer characters children can easily connect with, allowing the deeper, more meaningful lessons to land through the gradual growth of their relationship. It delivers heartfelt ideas about understanding each other’s differences, recognising that you cannot judge a book by its cover, and realising that no one truly knows what someone else is going through until they have walked in their shoes.

With material like this, it would be easy for it to feel pandering, yet a tight script from John Whittington, Christian Magalhaes, and Robert Snow ensures it never slips into that territory. The same can be said for the comedic aspects, which for the most part land for all audiences without ever trying too hard to force the laughs. Instead, thanks to the incredibly strong voice performances from Michael B. Jordan and Juno Temple, whose chemistry is palpable, the humour feels natural and well earned.

Swapped is not afraid to throw in a few dramatic curveballs that younger audiences in particular will not see coming. These moments strike with real emotional impact while adding a surprisingly fearsome edge. The final act, in particular, delivers gripping action and tension, building to a climax that fits the core of the story and is bound to linger in the memory for a while.

Composed by Siddhartha Khosla, the score matches the tone of the film extremely well, shifting naturally as the story unfolds. In the deeper, more meaningful moments, it leans into a softer, understated sound, allowing the emotion to settle without feeling overbearing. When the film lightens, the music lifts accordingly, ensuring it remains an effective piece of work that enhances the overall experience.

The animation from Skydance Animation is nothing short of brilliant, at times even breathtaking. From the vibrant colours of the valley and the intricate detail of the animals to the outstanding fire sequences that deliver some of the film’s most gripping moments, the craft on display is remarkable and rivals some of the very best animation you are likely to see all year.
It goes without saying that audiences will have seen similar stories before, but through committed voice performances and genuine care and attention to detail, Swapped is bound to resonate with children and adults alike. Skydance Animation projects have been rocky up until now, but this might just be the turning point. Well worth a watch on Netflix this weekend.