By Design (2026)

Released: 2026-02-13 Recommended age: 8+ No IMDb rating yet
By Design

Movie details

  • Genres: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance
  • Director: Amanda Kramer
  • Main cast: Juliette Lewis, Mamoudou Athie, Melanie Griffith, Samantha Mathis, Robin Tunney
  • Country / region: United States of America
  • Original language: en
  • Premiere: 2026-02-13

Story overview

In this whimsical comedy-fantasy, a woman unexpectedly swaps bodies with a chair, leading to a humorous exploration of identity and social perception. As she navigates life as furniture, she discovers that people seem to prefer her in this new form, prompting reflections on self-worth and how others see us. The film blends lighthearted fantasy elements with romantic undertones in a playful, imaginative story.

Parent Guide

A lighthearted fantasy-comedy with minimal concerning content. The body-swap premise is played for humor rather than scares, and the film maintains a positive tone throughout. Suitable for most children who can understand fantasy scenarios.

Content breakdown

Violence & peril
None

No violence or physical danger depicted. The body swap occurs magically without harm.

Scary / disturbing
Mild

Some children might find the concept of becoming furniture unsettling or confusing. The transformation is presented comically, but the idea of losing one's human form could be disturbing to sensitive viewers.

Language
None

No offensive language expected in this light comedy-fantasy.

Sexual content & nudity
None

No sexual content or nudity. This is a family-friendly fantasy premise.

Substance use
None

No depiction of alcohol, drugs, or tobacco use.

Emotional intensity
Mild

Mild emotional themes about self-worth and acceptance. The protagonist experiences some frustration when people prefer her as a chair, but resolution is positive and uplifting.

Parent tips

This film contains fantasy body-swap themes that might confuse very young children. The premise involves a person becoming an inanimate object, which could raise questions about identity and reality. The comedic tone keeps things light, but some children might find the concept unsettling. Best suited for viewers who can distinguish fantasy from reality and understand metaphorical storytelling.

Parent chat guide

After watching, you could discuss: How would you feel if people liked you better as an object than as yourself? What does this story say about how we value people? How can we appreciate others for who they are, not just what they do for us? For younger viewers, clarify that this is fantasy - people don't really turn into furniture.

Parent follow-up questions

  • Did you think it was funny when she became a chair?
  • What was your favorite part of the movie?
  • Do you think chairs can really talk and move?
  • Why do you think people liked her better as a chair?
  • How would you feel if you swapped places with something in our house?
  • What did you learn about being yourself from this story?
  • What do you think the movie was saying about how society values people?
  • How did the chair's perspective change how she saw herself?
  • Can you think of real-life situations where people are treated like objects?
  • How does this film use fantasy to comment on social acceptance and identity?
  • What parallels can you draw between the chair metaphor and how people are valued in society?
  • How does the film balance its absurd premise with meaningful themes?

Where to watch

Streaming availability has not been announced yet.

Trailer

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