“Swiss Army Man,” a 2016 film written and directed by the Daniels (Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan), is a unique exploration of life, death, friendship, and societal norms. This offbeat, genre-defying film centers on a man stranded on a deserted island who discovers a dead body (the eponymous “Swiss Army Man”) and uses it in his quest for survival.
The concept for the movie started as a joke. Daniel Scheinert mentioned in an interview that the initial idea was a morbid curiosity about a man riding a corpse like a jet ski. This joke eventually became the opening sequence of “Swiss Army Man,” in which the character Hank, played by Paul Dano, uses a corpse’s flatulence to propel himself across the ocean. This surreal scenario became the springboard for a deeper narrative exploration, as the Daniels began asking themselves what kind of story could follow such an opening scene.
The Daniels were interested in using the corpse (played by Daniel Radcliffe) as a way to explore big existential questions. They imagined that a man who had given up on life would stumble upon a body that was the most life-affirming character in the film. The Daniels used this unique setup to explore themes of loneliness, friendship, love, and societal norms in unexpected ways.
For example, the character of Manny, the corpse, has no knowledge or understanding of social customs, societal expectations, or life itself. Throughout the film, he asks innocent and naive questions that force Hank to explain, and subsequently question, the norms that govern human behavior. In this way, the Daniels used the concept of a talking corpse to challenge the audience’s preconceptions and to create a story that is both whimsical and profoundly moving.
Furthermore, the Daniels were keen on creating a film that defied conventional genres and provoked a range of reactions from the audience. They wanted to challenge themselves by creating a film that was hard to categorize, and “Swiss Army Man” certainly achieves this. It is simultaneously a comedy, a drama, a fantasy, and an adventure, filled with moments that are absurd, profound, hilarious, and heartbreaking.
Overall, the concept for “Swiss Army Man” came from the Daniels’ desire to push boundaries, challenge norms, and create a unique cinematic experience. The film’s unconventional premise allowed them to explore deep and meaningful themes in a way that is original, surprising, and, ultimately, profoundly human.