The Comedy

The film largely unfolds in New York City, with key action centered around Brooklyn and occasional forays into Harlem. Swanson lives on a private boat, which serves as a floating social stage for his circle. Scenes shift from waterfront leisure to urban interiors, including a church and a beach sequence, highlighting the social milieu and its contrasts.

🗺️ Apathy

The narrative centers on Swanson's detachment and the group's indifferent attitude toward those around them. Interactions feel performative, aimed at provoking discomfort rather than meaningful connection. The vignette structure emphasizes how disengagement erodes empathy in urban privilege. A final moment of genuine play with a child contrasts with the prevailing numbness.

💸 Privilege

We witness how wealth and status shield the characters from consequences and enable them to mock others with few repercussions. Their behavior illustrates how privilege shapes social dynamics and perceptions of worth. The Harlem bar and other scenes underscore the asymmetry between the privileged circle and those outside it. The film uses this privilege as a lens for social critique.

🎭 Cruelty

Humor in the film often crescendos into cruelty, with the group teasing a less intelligent friend and desecrating spaces as a form of entertainment. The provocations reveal a willingness to manipulate others for amusement. These moments are uncomfortable, designed to force viewers to confront the ethics of such behavior. The tone suggests that cruelty masquerades as wit within a privileged circle.