Swiss Army Man

Swiss Army Man is a 2016 American surreal comedy-drama film written and directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert in their feature directorial debuts.

Swiss Army Man is a 2016 American surreal comedy-drama film written and directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert in their feature directorial debuts. It stars Paul Dano, Daniel Radcliffe, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and follows a stranded man who befriends a corpse while trying to survive. The film premiered at Sundance in January 2016 and was released theatrically in the United States in June and July 2016.

Premise

The story follows Hank, a stranded man who encounters a corpse named Manny and uses Manny’s unusual abilities to survive and travel home. The film combines absurd comedy with emotional themes of loneliness, identity, and connection.

Production and release

Swiss Army Man was written and directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, also known as The Daniels. It premiered at Sundance in January 2016 and later received a U.S. theatrical rollout in June and July 2016.

Cast

The principal cast includes Paul Dano as Hank, Daniel Radcliffe as Manny, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Sarah. Other credited cast members listed in festival and review materials include Antonia Ribero, Timothy Eulich, and Richard Gross.

Reception and style

The film has been described as a surreal, black comedy-drama and a buddy film with a dead body as one of the central characters. Reviews highlighted its unusual humour, visual invention, and unconventional emotional tone.