Swiped (2025): Lily James Brings the Bumble Founder’s Story to Life in Hulu’s New Biopic

Love, ambition, and innovation collide in Swiped (2025), the upcoming biographical drama that tells the extraordinary rise of Whitney Wolfe Herd, the visionary founder of Bumble. The film premieres September 19, 2025, streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+, following its world debut at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 9.

Directed by Rachel Lee Goldenberg (Unpregnant), Swiped is an empowering story of resilience, gender dynamics, and the fight to build something revolutionary in the male-dominated tech world.

💛 About the Story

At just 22, Whitney Wolfe (played by Lily James) graduates college and dives headfirst into the booming world of Silicon Valley. But breaking into the tech industry isn’t easy—especially as a young woman trying to redefine how people connect online.

Fueled by her own struggles, Whitney sets out to create a dating app built on female empowerment, challenging the old rules of digital romance. Along the way, she faces betrayals, legal battles, and relentless pushback from powerful figures, but her grit transforms her vision into reality.

Her creation—what the world will come to know as Bumble—not only revolutionizes online dating but also cements her place in history as one of the youngest self-made female billionaires.

As Whitney declares in the trailer: “I’m not just building an app. I’m building a movement.”

🎬 Cast & Characters

The film boasts a stellar ensemble led by Lily James, who delivers a fierce yet vulnerable performance as Whitney Wolfe Herd. She’s joined by:

• Dan Stevens as Andrey, a charismatic but complicated figure in Whitney’s journey

• Myha’la in a key role as one of Whitney’s closest allies

• Jackson White, Ben Schnetzer, and Pierson Fodé bringing depth to the fast-paced world of startups and rivalries

• With supporting turns by Clea DuVall, Pedro Correa, Ian Colletti, and Coral Peña

🎥 Behind the Camera

• Director: Rachel Lee Goldenberg

• Writers: Rachel Lee Goldenberg, Bill Parker, Kim Caramele

• Producers: Lily James, Jennifer Gibgot, Andrew Panay

• Music: Chanda Dancy (Devotion)

• Cinematography: Doug Emmett

Running at 110 minutes, Swiped blends the energy of a startup drama with the emotional pull of a personal story, capturing both the chaos of Silicon Valley and the intimate struggles of a woman determined to reshape the narrative.

🌍 Why Swiped Matters

Biopics about tech titans often center on men—Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk. Swiped flips that script, spotlighting a woman who challenged Silicon Valley’s culture and forever changed how people connect.

It’s not just about apps or business; it’s about power, resilience, and carving out space in an industry that wasn’t designed to let her in.

As one line in the film teases: “If they won’t give me a seat at the table, I’ll build my own.”

📺 Where to Watch

• World Premiere: TIFF, September 9, 2025

• Streaming Release: September 19, 2025, on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+

⭐ Final Thoughts

With Lily James leading a powerhouse cast, Swiped is poised to be one of the fall’s most buzzed-about releases. Equal parts drama, inspiration, and cultural commentary, it’s a film that doesn’t just tell Whitney Wolfe Herd’s story—it celebrates the future of women in tech.

🔥 Verdict: A bold, feminist biopic with heart, ambition, and a message that lingers long after the credits roll.