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A man wants to die. His new best friend builds him the switch. What would YOU do?
TMDB
100
IMDb
65
Google
61
Watch(US)

The Switch (1993)

morally messyquietly devastating'90s TV movie intensity

Overview

DramaTV Movie

Larry McAfee is paralyzed from the neck down following a motorcycle accident. He gradually loses the will to live, in the meantime befriending a talk radio DJ over the phone. The two meet each other and become friends, though Larry still wishes to end his life. The DJ reluctantly has a switch installed on Larry's life support that Larry can activate at any time (via his mouth) to end his life.

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Content warning

Standout Aspects

Acting

Gary Cole's face acting while motionless is devastating.

Writing

The switch itself: a prop that carries impossible weight.

Best for:Solo: You need to ugly-cry without witnesses.·Date Night: Only if you're testing relationship compatibility HARD.
Heads up:Emotional: Terminal illness, assisted suicide, prolonged medical suffering.·Triggers: Quadriplegia, ventilator dependence, family conflict over end-of-life care.
Bobby Roth

Director

Bobby Roth

ReleasedJan 17, 1993
Runtime1h 31m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Paceslow
Intensitymedium
Tonedark
Feelheavy

Top Cast

Gary Cole

Gary Cole

Larry McAfee

Craig T. Nelson

Craig T. Nelson

Russ Fine

Kathleen Nolan

Kathleen Nolan

Larry's Mother

Chris Mulkey

Chris Mulkey

Bill

L. Scott Caldwell

L. Scott Caldwell

Mrs. Linson

Max Gail

Max Gail

Judge Johnson

David Purdham

David Purdham

Davis

Richard Redlin

Richard Redlin

Franklin Clark (as Richard Robert Redlin)

Hinton Battle

Hinton Battle

Hildred Shumake

Henry G. Sanders

Henry G. Sanders

Hank

Timothy Scott

Timothy Scott

Larry's Father (as Tim Scott)

James Harper

James Harper

Staff Doctor

Gina Gallego

Gina Gallego

ICU Nurse

Jessie Nelson

Jessie Nelson

Elizabeth Garland

Ask about The Switch

Opens AI chat

Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Cultural

This aired during the height of the Dr. Kevorkian media frenzy and the Nancy Cruzan right-to-die case, making it uncomfortably timely 'issue TV.'

1 item hidden due to spoilers

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