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Drama

The Swan (2018): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Swan (2018) movie poster

The Swan is a 2018 drama directed by Ása Helga Hjörleifsdóttir, starring Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson, Katla M. Þorgeirsdóttir and Þuríður Blær Jóhannsdóttir. It runs 1 hour 31 minutes and earned $62,716 worldwide on a $2,000 budget. Critics gave it 94% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Rotten Tomatoes
94%
worldwide gross
$62.7K
Echo Score
82
budget
$2K
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The Swan (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 31m (91 min)
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
Budget
$2K
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Swan About?

The premise of The Swan without spoilers.

In a world seemingly designed for pairs, one woman embarks on a solitary journey to find meaning and her place within it.

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Cast & crew

The Swan Cast & Characters

Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson leads the cast, with Katla M. Þorgeirsdóttir as Ólöf and Þuríður Blær Jóhannsdóttir as Ásta. Directed by Ása Helga Hjörleifsdóttir; 5 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Swan

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Ratings

The Swan Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Swan 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. Our Echo Score gives it 82/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (75).

82 /100

The Swan Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, The Swan demonstrates a cohesive blend of visual inventiveness and emotional depth that resonates with its audience. Critics highlighted its precise framing and minimalistic set pieces, and viewers noted the poignant portrayal of childhood trauma underscored by an undercurrent of hope. Despite a few dissenting voices on its unconventional narration, the film maintains consistent engagement through measured pacing and impactful final imagery. Net impression: a largely successful short with strong visual and emotional coherence.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 85

    Art & Craft in The Swan stands out through its deliberate minimalism and inventive framing. Reviewers praised the precise use of negative space and pastel color palette, and critics emphasized fiendishly clever camera angles that accentuate small emotional cues. While some noted simpler set pieces compared to earlier works, the consistent visual cohesion reinforces the film’s stylistic clarity and attentiveness to composition.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    In terms of Character & Emotion, The Swan delivers strong performances that convey understated emotional weight. Critics highlighted Rupert Friend’s nuanced depiction of trauma, and user feedback appreciated the chemistry between the adult and his younger self. Some viewers found the emotional tone melancholic, yet the depth and sincerity of the portrayals foster empathetic engagement throughout the narrative.

  • Story & Flow 75

    As for Story & Flow, the film employs an emotionally driven narrative with measured pacing. Observers noted the experimental narration style and the gradual build of suspense around the central incident. While a minority felt the plot lacked conventional payoff, most feedback emphasized its coherent structure and meaningful progression, culminating in a resonant final moment that underlines the film’s thematic intent.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    When it comes to Sensory Experience, The Swan offers a cohesive visual and auditory tapestry. Critics commended the distinctive rapid-fire dialogue rhythm and precise sound design, and the subtle score augmented the atmospheric tone without overwhelming the minimal soundscape. Although some viewers missed a more dynamic soundtrack, the balance of visual style and restrained audio elements enhances the film’s immersive quality.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    In terms of Rewatch Factor, The Swan’s stylized storytelling and emotional undercurrents support multiple viewings. Several reviewers observed that the nuanced performances and hidden visual details reward repeat engagement, and the deliberate pacing allows for deeper appreciation of thematic layers. A few felt that its brevity limits long-term recall, but the film’s thoughtful construction generally invites revisiting.

Box office

The Swan Box Office & Budget

The Swan grossed $62,716 worldwide on a $2,000 budget, 31 times what it cost. $2,367 came from the US and Canada and $60,349 (96%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$62.7K

31× its budget

US & Canada
$2.4K
International
$60.3K
Budget
$2K
US & Canada 4% Rest of the world 96%

Seen The Swan?

FAQ

The Swan FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Swan, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Swan?

The Swan runs 1 hour 31 minutes (91 minutes).

When was The Swan released?

The Swan was released on August 10, 2018.

Who directed The Swan?

The Swan was directed by Ása Helga Hjörleifsdóttir.

Who is in the cast of The Swan?

The Swan stars Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson, Katla M. Þorgeirsdóttir as Ólöf and Þuríður Blær Jóhannsdóttir as Ásta, among 5 credited actors.

How much did The Swan make at the box office?

The Swan grossed $62,716 worldwide ($2,367 domestic, $60,349 international) on a budget of $2,000.

How is The Swan rated?

The Swan has 94% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Does The Swan have a post-credit scene?

No. The Swan has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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