Close

Movie review by Jennifer Green, Common Sense Media
Close Movie Poster: Actor Eden Dambrine embraces Gustav De Waele

Common Sense says

age 13+

Wrenching Belgian drama has suicide, homophobia, swearing.

PG-13 2023 104 minutes
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Parents say

age 13+

Based on 1 review

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  • Close Movie: Best friends at school
  • Close Movie: A family harvests flowers
  • Close Movie: The boys relax with Remi’s mom

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

Stands out for .

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Belgian director Lukas Dhont's Close is an intense drama about suicide and grief. The main characters, 13-year-old boys Leo (Eden Dambrine) and Remi (Gustav De Waele), are the targets of teasing and bullying at school for their close friendship. Classmates call them "f--gots" and joke that they're on their period and like having their butts smacked. The film promotes support for close, physically warm male relationships and an awareness of the potential harm of bullying among adolescents. Parents, teachers, and an older sibling are patient, attentive, and supportive of children who are dealing with complex emotions, including grief. Kids tussle, fight, and suffer injuries (including a broken arm) playing ice hockey. In the version with English subtitles, additional strong language includes "s--t," "pansies," "wimp," "fool," "fart," and "pee."

Community Reviews

Daniel M.
Daniel M. Adult
March 16, 2023
age 13+

Emotionally heavy film with a compelling message about male friendship

I would love many people to see this film. Close explores the theme of male friendship and how society snuffs out these beautiful friendships at a crucial age. I think parents, teachers, youth leaders, and pastors would benefit from seeing the movie and using it as a platform to have meaningful conversations. Please do be aware that it can be difficult to watch emotionally, as the pains of rejection and loss are depicted. Parents should use their judgment about whether their children are ready to see such a film. For those young people, particular young men, who do watch the movie, I hope it can give them the courage to experience closeness in friendship even when the outside world may react negatively.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Leo (Eden Dambrine) and Remi (Gustav De Waele) are best friends in CLOSE. Their summer is filled with innocent fun in the sun, make-believe games, and sleepovers. When fall comes and they start a new school, classmates notice their closeness, which includes physical affection, and start asking them whether they're a couple. The pair get teased by other boys for being "f--gots." The mocking bothers Leo more than it does Remi, and Leo starts distancing himself from his friend and trying to fit in with the other boys. This impacts Remi in deeper ways than Leo intends.

Is It Any Good?

This Belgian drama about childhood friendship, growing up, and the impact of social conditioning and peer pressure on boys is a beautifully shot and emotionally demanding film. Close marks director Dhont's follow-up to Girl, which centered a transgender dancer. This film has similar themes related to the acute challenges of identity formation and the social pressures that teenagers experience. It won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for the International Oscar in early 2023.

Close stands out for its beautiful cinematography and an orchestral score that, combined with star Dambrine's incredibly intuitive and sensitive performance, conveys more than the film's somewhat sparse dialogue. The family of one of the boys harvests flowers, so viewers watch as the seasons and sunlight change and flowers are slashed to the ground and then rise up again. The symbolism isn't particularly subtle, much like Leo's broken-and-then-healed arm, but it all works together to paint a vivid and emotionally charged coming-of-age story.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Leo deals with his grief in Close. Did his emotions feel realistic? Did he seem surprised by what happened? Were you?

  • What did you think of Remi's mom's response to Leo's confession? Did you understand her motivations?

  • The film takes place over the course of a year. How does the passing of seasons, and accompanying changes in weather and light, play a part in the story?

  • Talk about suicide and the way it's addressed in this movie. When is it important to talk about mental health, especially if you're worried about a friend or family member? What resources are available to help both kids and adults?

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