Close (2022)
“Close” is a poignant and visually intimate coming-of-age drama that explores the deep bond of friendship between two thirteen-year-old boys, Léo and Rémi, and the fragility of identity during adolescence. Set in the idyllic countryside of Belgium, the story begins with Léo and Rémi spending a carefree summer together. Their connection is intense and affectionate, filled with imagination, shared dreams, and an unspoken closeness that transcends words.
As the new school year begins, the boys are placed in the same class, but the pressures of adolescence and societal expectations quickly start to strain their bond. Léo, more attuned to the social hierarchy at school, becomes self-conscious of how their friendship is perceived by peers. When classmates question the nature of their closeness—insinuating romantic attachment—Léo begins to distance himself from Rémi. He joins the hockey team, forms new friendships, and subtly avoids the intimate gestures they once shared.
This emotional detachment devastates Rémi, who cannot understand why Léo has changed. The heartbreak culminates in a tragic event that leaves Léo—and the entire community—reeling. Rémi dies by suicide, a moment that shatters the innocence of the story and forces Léo to confront the gravity of his actions and their unintended consequences.
In the aftermath, Léo is consumed by grief and guilt, yet he struggles to express it openly. The film follows his emotional journey as he navigates a world now missing a vital part of his soul. He grapples with his own identity, the expectations placed on boys to suppress vulnerability, and the unspoken rules around male friendship.
Through quiet moments, dreamlike cinematography, and minimal dialogue, “Close” delves into the pain of loss and the confusion of growing up. Léo’s attempt to reconnect with Rémi’s mother and come to terms with his role in the tragedy becomes the emotional core of the second half of the film. The film ends not with closure, but with a nuanced sense of understanding—the beginning of Léo’s long path to healing.
