"If they could simply erase me, it would be as though their hands were clean of any wrongdoing," muses the official trailer for "Swiped," a cinematic tale that spotlights another chapter in America's tech success saga. But this isn't a cautionary yarn; rather, it's a triumphant story of defiance, a middle finger raised to the establishment. Helmed by filmmaker Rachel Lee Goldenberg, the film will make its debut at the prestigious 2025 Toronto Film Festival next month before streaming on Hulu later in September.
"Swiped" draws inspiration from the captivating journey of Whitney Wolfe (now Whitney Wolfe Herd), the founder and former CEO of the dating app Bumble. After being ousted from Tinder, she decided to forge her own path, creating a platform where women hold the sole power to initiate conversations with matches. Lily James stars as Whitney, joined by an ensemble cast that includes Clea DuVall, Dermot Mulroney, Pierson Fode, Joely Fisher, Myha'la, and Dan Stevens, who portrays Andrey Andreev, the founder and CEO of Badoo—a pivotal investor in Bumble that helped propel it forward.
In a sea of recent films portraying corporations as villains and founders as flawed individuals, "Swiped" bucks the trend. "Disrupt an industry... create an empire," echoes the narrative. Based on the provocative true story of the visionary behind the online dating platform Bumble, "Swiped" introduces us to Whitney Wolfe, a recent college graduate portrayed with fire by Lily James. With extraordinary determination and ingenuity, she breaks into the male-dominated tech industry, launching an innovative dating app—make that two—that garners global acclaim, ultimately paving the way for her to become the youngest female self-made billionaire.
Directed by American producer-filmmaker Rachel Lee Goldenberg, whose credits include "Valley Girl" and "Unpregnant," along with numerous music videos, short films, and extensive TV work, "Swiped" promises a cinematic experience that is as inspiring as it is entertaining. The screenplay, penned by Bill Parker, Rachel Lee Goldenberg, and Kim Caramele, brings this compelling story to life. Produced by Lily James, Jennifer Gibgot, and Andrew Panay, the film will premiere at the 2025 Toronto Film Festival this fall. Disney will then debut "Swiped" on Hulu/Disney+ starting September 19th, 2025, inviting audiences to witness the remarkable rise of a true trailblazer.
