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Swarm begins with the text: “This is not a work of fiction. Any similarity to real people and events is intentional.”
I figured this was for comedic value – given that it is co-created by comedian/actor Donald Glover (Solo: A Star Wars Story), and in how certain things turn out, which obviously I can’t reveal before the show goes live – and wouldn’t want to spoil anyway – there is a ring of truth as to whether or not it is true.
Beginning in Houston, Texas, in April 2016, Dre (Dominique Fishback – Judas and the Black Messiah) is a young woman who’s desperate to get tickets for her favourite singer, Ni’jah, even to the point where she’ll spend $1800 on a pair!
Living with sister Marissa (Chloe Bailey), who’s forever spending most of her time with boyfriend Khalid (Damson Idris) – even to the point where she lingers too long after seeing them do the business, Dre should really be spending her disposable income on the rent, but then how often do you get a chance to see your favourite pop star on a huge tour? And she can’t afford both, given her basic-paying clothes store job at the mall.
After a heavy night at a club, including an overnight stay at a man’s flat (played by Rory Culkin – the man, that is, not the flat), she sees, the next morning, that she’s missed a load of messages from Marissa. Can’t she have one night on her own?
Naturally, I won’t spoil what happens, but all I can say is that this series takes some very dark turns and gets bizarre as hell. Plus, Dre starts to see a swarm of flies, and when she feels the ‘swarm’ coming to her, she starts to act out of character. I can’t say any more than that, but when you see it, you’ll know. I certainly haven’t seen this sort of thing before, though, so it is unique in that respect.
I’ve watched a couple of episodes of this, and I am enjoying it, but there’s a lot of mumbling and the preview I watched didn’t have subtitles. Hence, I will catch up with the rest of this when it goes live on Prime Video, and all episodes are available on day one.
In short, Swarm is mad, but I love it, and Dominique Fishback is superb, so I will definitely check out more.
UPDATE March 17th:
Thanks to our friends at Prime Video for the screener prior to release.
Swarm is on Prime Video from Friday March 17th. All episodes are available on day one.
NOTE:
Trailer posted March 13th 2023 23:10
Updated with spoiler-free review: March 16th 21:14
Updated with potential spoiler section (but not a major spoiler, since it’s in the trailer): March 17th 0:00
Cert: 
Running time: 30-35 minutes per episode (7 episodes)
Release date: March 17th 2023
Studio: Prime Video
Format: 1.66:1
Series Directeors: Adamma Ebo, Ibra Ake, Donald Glover, Stephen Glover
Producers: Kris Baucom, Dominique Fishback, Alex Orr, Lauren Heath
Writers: Donald Glover, Janine Nabers, Karen Joseph Adcock, Janine Nabers, Malia Obama, Ibra Ake, Stephen Glover, Kara Brown, Jamal Olori
Music: Michael Uzowuru
Cast:
Dre: Dominique Fishback
Marissa: Chloe Bailey
Ni’Jah: Nirine S Brown
Erica: Karen Rodriguez
Loretta Greene: Heather Simms
Rashida: Kiersey Clemons
Khalid: Damson Idris
Harris: Leon
Hailey: Paris Jackson
George Clemons: Byron Bowers
Young Dre: London Rose
Man from club: Rory Culkin
Rashida’s Mom: Cree Summer
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.