Drama  •  2022  •  104 min  •  Teen (13+)

Close (2022)

Close poster

Close (2022)


Rating & Dimensions

Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Leans Progressive
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Positive
Family Values: Leans Traditional

Viewer Rating
8.2

Overview

Close, a 2022 Belgian drama, follows the deep bond between two thirteen-year-old boys that comes under strain when schoolmates question their intense friendship. The film's exploration of emotional intimacy between young men frames its critique of restrictive ideas about masculinity. While the narrative avoids overt political critique, its empathetic portrayal of the boys' connection and the impact of social judgment aligns with progressive values centered on emotional honesty and identity acceptance.


Starring Cast

Eden Dambrine  •   Gustav De Waele  •   Émilie Dequenne


Where to watch

Apple TV logoApple TV
Google Play logoGoogle Play
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Detailed Bias Analysis

Analyzing...
Leans Progressive

Primary

Political: Leans Left
Confidence: High

The film's dominant themes align with progressive values by implicitly critiquing societal pressures that restrict male emotional intimacy and promote rigid masculinity, leading to tragic consequences and a journey towards emotional honesty.

Diversity: Moderate
Confidence: High

The movie features a predominantly white cast, reflecting its Belgian setting, without explicit DEI-driven casting choices. The narrative explores the intense friendship between two young boys and the societal pressures impacting their bond, touching on themes of masculinity and vulnerability without explicitly critiquing traditional identities in a negative way.

Secondary

LGBTQ: Positive
Confidence: High

The film sensitively explores the intense, intimate friendship between two young boys, Léo and Rémi. Their bond is depicted with dignity and complexity, but it faces external societal pressures and questioning. The subsequent tragedy is framed as a devastating consequence of these pressures and Léo's withdrawal, rather than an indictment of their connection. The film's empathetic stance affirms the profound worth of their bond, despite its heartbreaking outcome.

Family Values: Leans Traditional
Confidence: High

The film portrays stable, intact nuclear families as the primary units of love and support, even when facing profound grief. While not explicitly celebrating traditional values like distinct gender roles or religion, it depicts these conventional family structures positively without critique or the normalization of alternative arrangements.

Trans: N/A
Confidence: High

The film "Close" does not feature any identifiable transsexual characters or themes. Its narrative explores the intense bond between two cisgender boys, Léo and Rémi, and the societal pressures they face regarding their friendship. The story delves into themes of masculinity, intimacy, and the profound impact of grief, without engaging with transsexual identity or experiences.

Female Combat: N/R

The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.

Gender Swap: No
Confidence: High

The film "Close" is an original drama with characters created specifically for this production. There is no prior source material, historical record, or previous installment from which character genders could have been altered.

Race Swap: No
Confidence: High

The film "Close" is an original story with characters created specifically for this production. There are no pre-existing canonical or historical racial depictions for any character to be altered.

Hinduism: N/A
Confidence: High

Not depicted in the film.


Viewer Rating Breakdown

8.2

Viewer Rating

Combines user and critic ratings from four sources

User Ratings

IMDB logo
7.8
The Movie Database logo
7.8

Critic Ratings

Rotten Tomatoes logo
9.1
Metacritic logo
8.1

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