Sundance Premiere 'By Design' Explores Identity Through Unconventional Lens

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Amanda Kramer's film 'By Design,' which premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and was released in theaters on February 13, 2026, is a striking example of a growing trend in storytelling - the exploration of identity through unexpected vessels, like a woman swapping bodies with a chair. The premise may sound outlandish, but it taps into deeper cultural conversations about desire, envy, and the search for self.

Why it matters

The body-swap trope is being used by filmmakers in unconventional ways to examine our relationship with the inanimate, reflecting a broader societal disconnect as technology increasingly mediates our experiences and feelings of isolation become more prevalent. 'By Design' directly confronts the issue of female objectification by presenting a surreal scenario where a woman desires to 'be' a beautifully crafted chair, challenging perceptions of reality and self.

The details

In 'By Design,' the central conceit of a woman desiring to inhabit an object highlights the power of aesthetics and the way objects can embody desire. The narrative asks what if a woman were appreciated as much as a piece of furniture, directly confronting female objectification. The desire to inhabit an object could also be interpreted as a longing for stability, permanence, and control - qualities that can be elusive in human relationships.

• By Design premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.
• The film was released in theaters on February 13, 2026.

What’s next

The film's unconventional approach and surreal premise have generated significant buzz, and it will be interesting to see how audiences and critics respond as it continues its theatrical run.