Close (2022) May 2026

Close is an undeniably devastating but profoundly necessary film. It serves as a gentle reminder of the pure, unfiltered love children are capable of before the rigid walls of societal norms are forced upon them. It is a masterpiece of modern Belgian cinema that will linger in your mind long after the credits roll.

Dhont brilliantly captures how casual, everyday schoolyard peer pressure can force children to abandon their authentic feelings just to assimilate. Close (2022)

Dhont relies heavily on expressive close-ups, body language, and silence to convey massive, complex emotional shifts rather than over-explaining them through script. 🏆 Critical Reception and Accolades Close is an undeniably devastating but profoundly necessary

Won the prestigious runner-up prize at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival. The cinematography utilizes brilliant

The cinematography utilizes brilliant, vibrant color palettes—most notably the dazzling, sprawling flower fields run by Leo's family—as a direct visual metaphor for the boys' blooming youth and eventual loss of innocence.

The film acts as a heartbreaking examination of how societal expectations of masculinity systematically dismantle emotional intimacy between young boys.