It’s an unnecessary altercation to outsiders, except Smith’s screenplay plainly gears Swallowed towards societally conscious horrors with straightforward authenticity. Dom and Benjamin should easily coast towards a cash reward, but it's the actions of a bigoted redneck in a reststop bathroom that causes immediate danger. With a stress on queer horror - Smith previously directed Into the Dark’s gay slasher Midnight Kiss - Swallowed emphasizes modern fears to accentuate its darkest moments.
