Swing Vote

"One ordinary guy is giving the candidates a reason to run."

2008 2h 0m EN

😐

5.8

MID

★5.8TMDB · 287

ComedyDrama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

In a remarkable turn of events, the result of the presidential election comes down to one man's vote.

“One ordinary guy is giving the candidates a reason to run.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Kevin Costner
Bud Johnson
Madeline Carroll
Molly Johnson
Paula Patton
Kate Madison
Kelsey Grammer
President Andrew Boone
Dennis Hopper
Donald Greenleaf
Nathan Lane
Art Crumb
Stanley Tucci
Martin Fox
George López
John Sweeney

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Joshua Michael Stern
Writers: Joshua Michael Stern, Jason Richman
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

MONEY

Did you know

Earned back only 84% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 18 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Joshua Michael Stern, shot by Shane Hurlbut. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by John Debney. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Jeff McEvoy shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Kevin Costner and Madeline Carroll and Paula Patton carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "One ordinary guy is giving the candidates a reason to run.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt1027862 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Joshua Michael Stern directs. Shane Hurlbut behind the camera. John Debney scores. Jeff McEvoy cuts. A commercial under-performer on release. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Earned back only 84% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.
2Released 18 years ago.
3Directed by Joshua Michael Stern, shot by Shane Hurlbut. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by John Debney. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Jeff McEvoy shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Kevin Costner and Madeline Carroll and Paula Patton carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "One ordinary guy is giving the candidates a reason to run.".
8IMDB entry: tt1027862 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

The technical file

Cinematography: Shane Hurlbut
Original score: John Debney
Editing: Jeff McEvoy
Production design: Steve Saklad
Costume design: Lisa Jensen
Makeup / hair: Francisco X. Pérez
Sound: Alexander Gruzdev
Stunt coordinator: Al Goto
Runtime: 120 min · 2h 0m
Status: Released
Budget: $21,000,000
Box office: $17,600,000
Return: 84% of budget
Original language: EN
Certification (US): PG-13
IMDB: Swing Vote (2008)

Also by

Joshua Michael Stern

Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

Community reviews

What people are saying

AlfaVitaY2K2026-06-27
★ 10/10
Rated 10/10, for the witty, original idea. Swing Vote (2008) is a relic from a more innocent time. Kevin Costner plays a boozy slacker whose single vote somehow decides the victory of the presidential candidate of his choice. Both candidates and their sleazy handlers try to prey on him, pandering on every issue, desperate for money and power, depending on his vote. Back then, this was considered sharp political satire, exposing basic human vices like greed, hypocrisy, ideological and moral flip-flopping, fueling ambition for money and power. By modern standards it feels naive. The latest scandals exposed that the real corruption isn't just about bribery and ambition, it's Satanist degenerate pervert elites running pedo sex slavery rings, ritual abuse and murder, and blackmailed politicians treating the citizens and the country like disposable cattle in a private owned barn.

Production companies