Close (2022)
Film · Drama
Stream itif you are prepared for a quiet, visually exquisite, and profoundly heartbreaking exploration of male friendship.
A devastatingly intimate look at the end of childhood innocence and the weight of social pressure. It is beautifully acted and visually tender, but also emotionally crushing, intended for those ready to weep.
What it is about
Two 13-year-old boys spend an idyllic summer together, but their connection is put to the test when they become the subject of speculation at school.
Trailer
What Close is like, and who it is for
What it is like to watch
Watching this film feels like being submerged in the vibrant, golden hues of a fading summer. The pace is deliberate and observant, focusing on subtle shifts in body language and the unspoken dynamics between its young leads. It captures a sense of tactile intimacy through close-ups and natural light, building a gentle momentum that eventually gives way to a heavy, suffocating atmosphere as social pressures begin to intrude upon the boys' private world.
Who it is for, and who should skip it
This is essential viewing for those who appreciate naturalistic performances and stories about the fragility of adolescence. However, anyone seeking a light-hearted coming-of-age tale should look elsewhere. The film is emotionally punishing and does not shy away from the cruelty of peer scrutiny. A caveat is that its relentless focus on internal grief makes it a demanding experience that might feel overly manipulative to more cynical viewers.
The right evening for it
It suits a quiet evening when you are in a reflective mood and have the emotional bandwidth to engage with a heavy theme. It is a film that requires your full attention and a box of tissues close at hand.
Written by our AI from the facts on this page. It has opinions; it has not watched it.
Another trailer
Trailer · Official International Trailer
How Close leaves you
One line on the mood it ends on, with no plot. Some people count that as a spoiler, so it stays hidden until you ask.
Expect to feel raw and profoundly unsettled. It leaves a heavy, lingering ache that invites deep reflection on the fleeting nature of childhood and the lasting impact of social conformity.
How Close ends
Spoilers. The whole ending, in a few lines. Nothing shows until you ask and then confirm.
The film ends with Léo visiting Sophie at her workplace and confessing, during the car ride home, that he blames himself for Rémi’s suicide because he pushed him away. Despite an initial moment of tension, Sophie embraces and comforts him as they both weep. Later, after Sophie and Peter have moved away and left their house empty, Léo walks across the field where he and Rémi used to run together. He finally allows himself to grieve and remember the intimate connection they shared.
This conclusion provides a sense of emotional release for Léo, who had previously closed off his feelings from his family and school. By confessing his guilt to Sophie, he begins to reconcile with his loss, even as the empty home and his solitary walk mark the permanent absence of his friend.
Summarised by our AI from the plot section of the Wikipedia article, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. This summary is shared under the same licence.
Stills
Images from TMDB.
If you like this, try
Moonlight (2016)
the same tender examination of masculine identity and the pain of repressed connection
The 400 Blows (1959)
a similarly empathetic and grounded look at the vulnerabilities of a lonely young boy
Aftersun (2022)
shares a poetic visual style and an overwhelming sense of melancholic nostalgia
Suggested by our AI for what they share with this one. Linked titles have a page here; the rest are worth a search on the browse page.
More clips
Trailer · Official Trailer
Trailer · Official US Trailer
Clip · Official Clip
Close soundtrack
Music by Valentin Hadjadj
Awards
Close was nominated for Best International Feature Film at the Oscars. It was also nominated at the Golden Globes and Cannes.
Oscars
- Nominated: Best International Feature Film · 2023
Golden Globes
- Nominated: Best Non-English Language Film · 2023
Cannes Film Festival
- Nominated: Palme d'Or · 2022
13 other awards and nominationsShow
- Won: Amanda Award for Best Foreign Feature Film · 2023
- Won: Magritte Award for Best Flemish Film · 2023
- Won: Magritte Award for Best Screenplay · 2023
- Won: Magritte Awards
- Nominated: European Film Award for Best Film · 2022
- Nominated: César Award for Best Foreign Film · 2023
- Nominated: LUX European Audience Film Award · 2023
- Nominated: European University Film Award · 2022
- Nominated: European Film Award for Best Director · Lukas Dhont · 2022
- Nominated: European Film Award for Best Actor · Eden Dambrine · 2022
- Nominated: European Film Award for Best Screenwriter · Lukas Dhont, Angelo Tijssens · 2022
- Nominated: International Submission to the Academy Awards · 2023
- Nominated: Queer Palm · 2022
From Wikidata, which can miss some.
Questions people ask
- Is Close a tearjerker film?
- Yes. On Watchlist Boosted it is tagged Tearjerker, with an authentic streak. A devastatingly intimate look at the end of childhood innocence and the weight of social pressure. It is beautifully acted and visually tender, but also emotionally crushing, intended for those ready to weep.
- How long is Close?
- Close runs 104 min and was released in 2022.
- Where can I watch Close in the UK?
- In the UK, Close is included with MUBI, MUBI Amazon Channel.
- Was Close nominated for any awards?
- Close was nominated for Best International Feature Film at the Oscars. It was also nominated at the Golden Globes and Cannes.
- Who composed the music for Close?
- The music for Close is by Valentin Hadjadj.
- Is Close worth watching?
- Stream it: if you are prepared for a quiet, visually exquisite, and profoundly heartbreaking exploration of male friendship. IMDb users rate it 7.8 out of 10 from 46,812 votes, Rotten Tomatoes gives it 91%, Metacritic 81 and TMDB users 7.8.
More from Lukas Dhont
More tearjerker titles
Same mood, saved by people here. See all tearjerker titles.
Good Grief (2023)
film · Tearjerker · IMDb 6.4
A polished exploration of loss that uses its beautiful European backdrop to cushion the blow of its heavy emotional core. While it leans into the aesthetics of a travelogue, the focus remains firmly on the messy, painful process of moving forward.
When They See Us (2019)
series · Tearjerker · IMDb 8.8
A devastating and essential look at systemic injustice that is emotionally punishing to watch. This four-part limited series offers a cathartic but heavy experience, serving as a powerful tribute to real-life resilience in the face of tragedy.
All the Light We Cannot See (2023)
series · Tearjerker · IMDb 7.5
A lavishly produced wartime drama that leans heavily into sentiment and fate. It is a sweeping, emotional story about connection amidst the horrors of the Nazi occupation, aimed squarely at the heartstrings.
My Best Friend Anne Frank (2021)
film · Tearjerker · IMDb 6.3 · In Dutch and German
A devastating look at a well-known tragedy through a personal lens, focusing on the friendship that preceded the horror. It is emotionally punishing and heavy, designed for those seeking a cathartic and somber historical drama.
My Father's Violin (2022)
film · Tearjerker · IMDb 6.4 · In Turkish
A sentimental and musically rich drama that uses the bond between a child and an adult to explore the healing power of art. It is a classic "weepy" designed to tug at the heartstrings, offering a cathartic emotional journey with a hopeful core.
How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies (2024)
film · Tearjerker · IMDb 7.9 · In Thai
A poignant and culturally specific look at family duty that starts as a cynical scheme and ends as a devastating emotional wrecking ball. It is a slow-burn masterclass in earned catharsis that will leave almost any viewer in pieces.