What Is Closet Monster About?
The premise of Closet Monster in 283 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a modest town where ordinary routines hum beneath a quiet tension, Oscar stands on the cusp of adulthood, feeling the pull of a future that feels both thrilling and unattainable. His days are marked by a job that keeps him close enough to his family to feel their weight, yet far enough to allow a sliver of independence. Dreams of studying special‑effects makeup in a bustling city flicker behind his everyday responsibilities, offering a promise of escape and creative liberation.
The world Oscar retreats to is alive with vivid imagination, a private sanctuary where memories sparkle and conversation flows with a tiny, talking companion. His hamster, Buffy, becomes both confidante and anchor, embodying the gentle absurdity that colors his inner landscape. This surreal dialogue provides a soothing counterpoint to the more concrete pressures building around him, hinting at a deeper yearning for acceptance and self‑understanding.
A new presence enters the hardware store—a confident, self‑assured coworker who exudes an enigmatic charm. Wilder quickly becomes a focal point of Oscar’s thoughts, their interactions brimming with unspoken curiosity and a tentative bond that hints at something more profound than simple friendship. Their connection offers Oscar a fresh perspective on identity, desire, and the possibility of stepping beyond the familiar confines of his upbringing.
The film moves with a tone that blends melancholy introspection with quiet, surreal humor, inviting viewers into a portrait of a young adult wrestling with love, loss, and the looming uncertainty of the path ahead. As Oscar navigates the delicate balance between his imagined refuge and the tangible world that challenges him, the story promises a poignant exploration of hope, artistic longing, and the courage required to step into an unknown future.
What Happens in Closet Monster?
The complete story of Closet Monster, from the first scene to the last, in 579 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
When eight-year-old Oscar Madly discovers that his parents are getting a divorce, he withdraws into a vivid fantasy world brimming with joyful memories and chats with his talking pet hamster, Buffy. One fateful night, he witnesses a brutal homophobic assault on a teenage boy, culminating in the attackers driving a metal rod through their victim.
Fast forward ten years, and eighteen-year-old Oscar approaches graduation while setting his sights on a special effects make-up school in New York City. He takes a job at a hardware store to limit his time with his immature and homophobic father. At work, Oscar feels an unmistakable pull towards his new coworker, the charming and self-assured Wilder, yet he is deterred by a sharp, distressing pain in his stomach. At home, Buffy observes Oscar’s apparent happiness, hinting that he might be in love, a suggestion that he quickly brushes aside. Later, while inhaling the scent of a shirt he lent Wilder, Oscar attempts to pleasure himself but is abruptly interrupted by yet another wave of stomach pain.
As Oscar and Wilder’s friendship flourishes, his relationship with his father deteriorates further. When Wilder is dismissed from the hardware store and opts to relocate, he invites Oscar to a farewell costume party. Soon after returning home to prepare, Oscar receives heartbreaking news about being rejected from the only school he applied to. A confrontation erupts when his father catches him trying on some of his mother’s old clothes, leading to an explosive argument. In a moment of desperation, Oscar locks his dad in a closet and rushes off to the party. There, he spends the evening grappling with the uncertainty of Wilder’s sexuality, but the night takes a terrifying turn when he is assaulted by another guest named Andrew from Texas, plunging him into a series of haunting hallucinations. After losing consciousness, Oscar is revived by Wilder, who brings him to his treehouse. As they lie together, Wilder inquires about Oscar’s awareness of his sexuality. Initially evasive, Oscar ultimately confesses his confusion, and they share a long-awaited kiss.
Upon waking alone the next day, Oscar discovers that Wilder has vanished. To avoid confronting his father, he heads to his mother’s house, where he confronts her about leaving him during the divorce. She soothes him and proposes he move in with her. Realizing he left Buffy at his father’s place, Oscar rushes back, only to find that his belongings have been wrecked by his father, who refuses to reveal Buffy’s whereabouts. In the midst of a heated argument between his parents, Oscar scours for his beloved hamster, only to discover her lifeless body among his possessions. Overwhelmed by fury and a resurgence of stomach pain, he hallucinates a metal rod appearing from his own body. In a fit of rage, he extracts it and threatens his father.
Later at his mother’s house, Oscar reveals his rejection from the only college he had applied to. She encourages him to explore an artist’s colony on Fogo Island to channel his creativity. Upon arriving on the island, Oscar has a poignant final talk with Buffy, coming to terms with his true self. In a heart-wrenching revelation, Buffy admits that she is not the original hamster from Oscar’s childhood but rather a series of replacements orchestrated by his parents. Gently, Oscar places her in a small wooden boat and releases her into the sea, before returning to his room to reflect on the blissful memories he once shared with his father.
Closet Monster Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Oscar's Parents' Divorce” to “Reflection on Memories”. 4 events name a place, across 3 locations.
- 1
Oscar's Parents' Divorce
Eight-year-old Oscar Madly learns that his parents are getting divorced, which shatters his childhood innocence. In response, he retreats into a vivid fantasy world filled with joyful memories and conversations with his talking hamster, Buffy.
- 2
Witnessing a Hate Crime
One night, Oscar witnesses a brutal homophobic assault on a teenage boy, which leaves a lasting impact on him. The attackers commit a horrific act by driving a metal rod through the victim, deepening Oscar's fears and confusion.
- 3
Oscar's High School Graduation
Fast forward ten years, Oscar is now eighteen and preparing to graduate. He dreams of attending a special effects make-up school in New York City, indicating his aspirations and desire for escapism.
Where:New York City
- 4
Job at the Hardware Store
To distance himself from his immature and homophobic father, Oscar takes a job at a local hardware store. Here, he meets Wilder, a charming coworker, but struggles with a distressing pain in his stomach whenever he thinks about him.
- 5
Developing Feelings for Wilder
As Oscar and Wilder's friendship grows, Oscar experiences moments of joy mixed with confusion about his feelings. His talking hamster, Buffy, hints at Oscar's budding love, although he quickly dismisses the thought.
- 6
Rejection from School
Oscar receives heartbreaking news about being rejected from the only school he applied to. This setback deepens his emotional struggles just as he prepares to attend Wilder's farewell costume party after Wilder is let go from the hardware store.
- 7
Confrontation with His Father
In a moment of vulnerability, Oscar tries on his mother's old clothes at home, leading to a fierce confrontation with his father. This explosive argument escalates to the point where Oscar locks his dad in a closet, signaling a breaking point in their relationship.
- 8
Assault at the Party
At the farewell party, uncertainty about Wilder's sexuality weighs heavily on Oscar. The night takes a dark turn when he is assaulted by another guest, Andrew, plunging him into terrifying hallucinatory visions.
- 9
Revival by Wilder
After losing consciousness, Oscar is revived by Wilder, who brings him to his treehouse. In a moment of intimacy, they discuss Oscar's awareness of his sexuality, leading to an important confession and their first kiss.
Where:Treehouse
- 10
Waking Up Alone
Upon waking up alone the next day, Oscar realizes that Wilder has disappeared. To escape his issues at home, he visits his mother and confronts her about her absence during the divorce.
Show the other 5 events of Closet Monster Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Return to Father's House
Oscar anxiously returns to his father's house, desperately searching for his beloved hamster, Buffy. He discovers that his belongings have been wrecked and, amidst a heated argument, finds Buffy's lifeless body.
- 12
Hallucinations of Fury
Devastated by the loss of Buffy, Oscar experiences a hallucination where he perceives a metal rod emerging from his body. This spirals into a fit of rage as he threatens his father, reflecting his inner turmoil and despair.
- 13
Moving to Fogo Island
While at his mother's house, Oscar shares the news of his college rejection. She encourages him to channel his creativity by exploring an artist's colony on Fogo Island, suggesting a hopeful new direction for his life.
Where:Fogo Island
- 14
Final Talk with Buffy
Upon arriving at Fogo Island, Oscar has a poignant conversation with Buffy, where she reveals a shocking truth about her identity. He learns that she is not the original hamster, and after their emotional farewell, he releases her into the sea.
Where:Fogo Island
- 15
Reflection on Memories
After saying goodbye to Buffy, Oscar returns to his room to reflect on his childhood memories. He grapples with the complex feelings surrounding his relationship with his father and the blissful times they once shared.
Who Are the Main Characters in Closet Monster?
3 characters, among them Oscar Madly, Wilder and Buffy: who each one is and the part they play in the story.
- OM
Oscar Madly
Oscar is a sensitive and imaginative young man who feels the weight of his parent's divorce deeply. As he approaches adulthood, he faces internal and external conflicts relating to his sexual identity and familial relationships. His vivid imagination enables him to cope with grief, but also complicates his understanding of reality and self. His journey is marked by emotional turmoil, love, and a quest for acceptance.
- 🧑🎨 Lead
- 💔 Heartfelt
- 🌈 LGBTQ+
- W
Wilder
Wilder is Oscar's charming and self-assured coworker who represents a new chapter in Oscar's life. He serves as both a love interest and a catalyst for Oscar's self-discovery, encouraging him to confront his feelings about love and identity. His presence in Oscar's life instigates both joy and heartache, embodying the complexities of young love in a tumultuous environment.
- 💖 Love Interest
- 🌟 Charismatic
- B
Buffy
Buffy, Oscar's pet hamster, acts as a comforting presence throughout Oscar's formative years. While initially perceived as a source of joy and warmth, her eventual reveals about her identity symbolize the layers of deception and truth in Oscar's life. The conversations they share provide insight into Oscar's emotional landscape and his need for acceptance.
- 🐹 Comfort
- ✨ Magical Realism
Where and When Is Closet Monster Set?
Closet Monster is set in New York City and Fogo Island (Present Day). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Present Day
The story unfolds over a decade, beginning in the early 2000s and progressing towards modern times as Oscar navigates his teenage years into adulthood. This period reflects significant social changes regarding acceptance and identity, particularly in relation to LGBTQ+ issues, shaping Oscar's journey.
Where
New York City, Fogo Island
New York City is a bustling metropolis known for its iconic skyline, culture, and diversity. It is a space where dreams are made, but also challenges arise, especially for those navigating personal identities. Fogo Island, on the other hand, is a serene and picturesque locale known for its stunning natural beauty and artistic community, serving as a refuge for introspection and creativity.
- 🏙️ City
- 🏝️ Island
What Are the Themes of Closet Monster?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Identity, Loss and Self-Expression.
-
01
Identity
The theme of identity is central to Oscar's journey as he grapples with his sexuality and the expectations set by his family. His interactions with Wilder serve as critical moments of self-discovery, highlighting the confusion and fear that often accompany the quest for true self-acceptance. Whether through his conversations with his talking hamster or his artistic aspirations, Oscar's struggle is emblematic of many facing similar challenges.
-
02
Loss
Loss permeates Oscar's story, beginning with his parents' divorce and culminating in the death of his beloved hamster, Buffy. Each instance of loss compels Oscar to confront his emotions, ultimately leading him to profound realizations about love, grief, and moving forward. The emotional weight of these losses shapes his relationships and decisions throughout the film.
-
03
Self-Expression
Self-expression is a recurring theme, particularly through Oscar's passion for special effects make-up and the arts. His desire to create and express himself artistically becomes a means of coping with his tumultuous life, allowing him to navigate his internal struggles and external challenges. This creative outlet emphasizes the power of art as a transformative tool.
What Kind of Film Is Closet Monster?
Melancholic in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Melancholic
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A melancholic and surreal coming-of-age drama that charts a young artist's anxious internal journey, marked by traumatic memories, a burgeoning queer identity, and the bittersweet pain of letting go.
- anxious
- reflective
- surreal
- claustrophobic
- yearning
- melancholic
- coming of age
- self-discovery
- father-son relationship
- divorce
Content notes: homophobic violence, animal death, bullying, dysfunctional family.
Quiz
How well do you remember Closet Monster? Test yourself on the story.
Where to Watch Closet Monster
Stream it on Kanopy and Strand Releasing, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
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