Review: By Design Explores the Meaning of Objectification

Amanda Kramer's new film is a strange and complicated meditation on desire and the human condition.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Amanda Kramer's new film By Design is a surreal and absurdist tale about a woman named Camille who becomes obsessed with a midcentury chair, eventually trading places with it. The film toggles between arch humor and deeper themes of objectification, as Camille covets the way the chair is loved and seen as beautiful just by existing, while those around her become equally enamored with the chair. Juliette Lewis delivers a standout performance as Camille, wildly enunciating her dialogue, and the film is visually striking, particularly with the costuming. By Design is a challenging and unconventional film that will give viewers a lot to ponder.

Why it matters

By Design opens up a deep discourse about the human desire to be seen and valued, and the ways in which people can become objectified. The film serves as a commentary on materialism, self-involvement, and the often-thin line between love and obsession.

The details

In the film, Camille, played by Juliette Lewis, becomes fixated on a midcentury chair after seeing it in a store window. She eventually trades places with the chair, living within the wood and glue. The chair is then received by an awkward pianist named Olivier, played by Mamoudou Athie, who and all those around him become equally enamored with the chair, leading to a series of erotic closeups of hands stroking the fine wood. Kramer's camera indulges in these sensual moments as a counterpoint to the script's dry and stilted dialogue, exploring the many meanings of objectification.

  • The film By Design was released in limited theaters in 2026.

The players

Amanda Kramer

The director and writer of By Design, known for her gift of stylized filmmaking and exploring unconventional themes.

Juliette Lewis

The actress who plays the lead role of Camille, delivering a standout performance marked by wild enunciation and elegant posing.

Mamoudou Athie

The actor who plays the role of Olivier, the awkward pianist who receives the chair that becomes the object of everyone's obsession.

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What they’re saying

“If you like it strange, Amanda Kramer's By Design will give you a lot to sit with.”

— Rob Silverman Ascher, Critic (chicagoreader.com)

The takeaway

By Design is a challenging and unconventional film that serves as a commentary on the human desire for validation and the fine line between love and obsession. Kramer's stylized filmmaking and the standout performances, particularly from Juliette Lewis, make this a thought-provoking exploration of objectification and the many meanings it can hold.