5.5
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By Design
2025·Movie
·1h 31min·
By Design fingerprint
Very funny, immersive world, emotionally cool.
Energy
Calm and low-key
- Tension4
- Fast Pace4
- Scare3
Heart
Emotionally reserved
- Melancholy6
- Pathos5
- Wonder3
Humor
Plenty of absurdist humor and dark humor
- Absurdist Humor10
- Dark Humor9
- Cringe Humor8
World
Society and technology
- Novelty10
- World Immersion7
- Rewatchability7
Craft
Solid, not remarkable
- Direction7
- Acting7
- Narrative Structure6
Style
Standout visual style
A distinctive visual signature.
- Visual Stylization8
- Cinematography7
- Editing6
All energy traits
- Tension4Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Fast Pace4Quick tempo and momentum.
- Scare3Frightening moments and scares.
- Spectacle3Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Adrenaline1High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Violence0Physical conflict and intensity.
Related traits
- Uncanny8Eerie, unsettling strangeness.
- Bleakness8Grim, stark outlooks.
- Grotesque7Macabre, distorted imagery.
- Slow Burn5Gradual build with payoff.
All heart traits
- Melancholy6Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Pathos5Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Wonder3Awe, discovery, and amazement.
- Catharsis2Emotional release and payoff.
- Family Dynamics1Relationships and generational ties.
- Romance0Love stories and emotional connections.
- Wholesome0Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
- Hopefulness0Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Nostalgia0Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
- Coming of Age0Personal growth and self-discovery.
Related traits
- Bleakness8Grim, stark outlooks.
- Philosophical6Ideas about life and existence.
- Character Depth6Rich, complex characterization.
Humor
Very highPlenty of absurdist humor and dark humor
Expect plenty of absurdist humor and dark humor.
All humor traits
- Absurdist Humor10Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
- Dark Humor9Humor from taboo or grim topics.
- Cringe Humor8Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
- Satire & Parody7Sharp critique and playful imitation.
- Physical Comedy6Slapstick and visual gags.
- Situational Comedy5Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Wit & Wordplay4Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
Related traits
- Eccentricity10Oddball tone and quirks.
- Camp & Irony6Stylized exaggeration and wink.
World
HighSociety and technology
Its world is built around society and technology. It leaves some questions open.
All world traits
- Novelty10Fresh ideas and invention.
- World Immersion7Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Rewatchability7Invites repeat viewing.
- Ambiguity7Open-endedness and uncertainty.
- Dialogue Centrality6Stories driven by conversation.
Related traits
- Surrealism9Dreamlike, bizarre imagery.
- Social Commentary8Perspectives on society and norms.
- Tech & Humanity7Human stories in a tech world.
- Psychological6Inner worlds and mind games.
- Class & Capitalism5Wealth, power, and inequality.
Craft
MediumSolid, not remarkable
The craft is serviceable rather than remarkable.
All craft traits
- Direction7Vision and command behind the camera.
- Acting7Performance craft and presence.
- Narrative Structure6Story architecture and form.
- Character Depth6Rich, complex characterization.
- Complexity6Layered plots and ideas.
- Dialogue Quality5Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Intrigue5Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Meta Narrative3Stories about storytelling.
- Non-linear Narrative1Time-shifts and structure play.
Related traits
- Novelty10Fresh ideas and invention.
- Philosophical6Ideas about life and existence.
- Slow Burn5Gradual build with payoff.
Style
MediumStandout visual style
A distinctive visual signature.
Look and sound: the visual style stand out.
All style traits
- Visual Stylization8Distinctive aesthetic signature.
- Cinematography7Visual composition and camera work.
- Editing6Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Music Composition5Score and musical identity.
- Sound Centrality5Sound design as core element.
- Music Centrality4Songs central to storytelling.
Related traits
- Grotesque7Macabre, distorted imagery.
- Camp & Irony6Stylized exaggeration and wink.
- Dialogue Centrality6Stories driven by conversation.
Who it's for
AdultsFriends NightPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchPure EscapismThought-Provoking
Skip it if
You need an uplifting moodGraphic violence bothers you
Find more like it
Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.
About
A woman swaps bodies with a chair, and everyone likes her better as a chair.
Absurdist ComedySurrealist SatireSocial CritiqueExistential HumorUnique ConceptDarkly HumorousUnsettling PremiseMetaphoricalEccentric CharactersBody Transformation
Actors
Crew
Directed by:
Written by:
Produced by:
Composed by:
Sequels and Prequels
No sequels or prequels available
Media
Questions about By Design
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is By Design worth watching?
80
GreatGoodWatch scoreYes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 80/100 (IMDb 5.5, Rotten Tomatoes 70%, and Metacritic 80). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
What is By Design rated?
Disturbing imagery
Content advisories: disturbing imagery.
How long is By Design?
1 h 31 min
By Design runs 1 h 31 min.
Do critics and audiences agree on By Design?
Critics75
Audiences55
Not quite. Critics rate By Design higher (75) than audiences (55). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.
What language is By Design in?
English
It was made in English. Produced in United States.
What tropes does By Design use?
Wins by Doing Absolutely NothingArtifact of AttractionMotor MouthEthereal ChoirCut Himself ShavingFailed a Spot CheckFair-Weather FriendP.O.V. ShotStalker with a CrushMagical RealismDemorphing DenouementEmpty Shelland 13 more
TV Tropes lists 25 storytelling tropes for By Design, including Wins by Doing Absolutely Nothing, Artifact of Attraction, Motor Mouth.