Synopsis
Swimming with Sharks is a dark comedy-thriller following Guy, an idealistic young Hollywood assistant who endures relentless abuse from his powerful, tyrannical boss Buddy Ackerman. After reaching his breaking point, Guy kidnaps and tortures Buddy, forcing a brutal reckoning about ambition, power, and the corrupt nature of the entertainment industry. Kevin Spacey delivers a ferociously commanding performance that became one of his most celebrated roles.
Did You Know?
- Kevin Spacey based his character partly on real Hollywood executives.
- The film was shot in just 18 days on a tight budget.
- Writer-director George Huang drew from his own Hollywood assistant experiences.
- Kevin Spacey reportedly stayed in character between takes on set.
- The film gained cult status despite a limited theatrical release.
Iconic Quotes
- You are nothing. If you were in my toilet I wouldn't bother flushing it.
- Shut up, listen, and learn.
- This is the real world and you are nothing in it.
- Nice guys are a dime a dozen. I need results.
- Power is not a dirty word. It's what separates the winners from the losers.
