The divorce of one’s parents can be difficult, but more so when that relationship is messy and emotionally fraught. And when the parent one ends up living with turns out to be homophobic, it’s so much harder to accept the possibility of not being straight. Stephen Dunn’s film feature debut Closet Monster is centered around this experience, one inspired by Dunn growing up in Canada, and while the symbolism is on the nose, the emotions feel real, maybe even too real. On top of the fear of not being accepted, there’s the resentment of being left behind, the disdain towards the adults who should know better, and the fear of becoming exactly like them. Closet Monster doesn’t shy away from these difficult feelings, even when it does so through the whimsical way Oscar imagines talking to his pet hamster.
"Dunn plays around with perspective and style, but all the flash doesn't obscure the film's emotion and heart, which are deep and true."
— Kate Erbland
"Closet Monster is most successful when it uses fable-like qualities to allow us to feel Oscar's emotions viscerally rather than narratively."
— Odie Henderson
A creative and driven teenager is desperate to escape his hometown and the haunting memories of his turbulent childhood.
Haunted by childhood memories, Oscar retreats into art and imaginary conversations with his pet hamster, driven to escape his hometown.
Honestly, hearing your pet hamster talk probably should be a cause for concern in real life, but it’s a neat way for Closet Monster to showcase the way Oscar essentially parents himself.
Oh no, the hamster...
