Overview
A tangled web of love and betrayal unfolds in a world where honesty is a rare commodity.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- erotic
- sardonic
- bruising
- adult date night
- dialogue driven drama night
What critics said
Critics broadly agreed that the strong ensemble performances and Mike Nichols's assured direction make the provocative material compelling despite a bumpy, overly theatrical adaptation.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Dan, Alice, Anna, and Larry repeatedly use confession, infidelity, and humiliation to gain leverage over one another.
The four leads articulate desire, resentment, and betrayal through unusually direct, literate exchanges.
The plot continually rearranges the bonds among two men and two women, creating multiple competing pairings.
The film's beautiful photography contrasts with the characters' coldness, dishonesty, and inability to sustain closeness.
Films like Closer, and why
The End of the Affair
adult romantic drama centered on infidelity, emotional cruelty, and articulate but damaged partners
Scenes from a Marriage
relationship drama using sharp dialogue and shifting romantic loyalties to expose intimate betrayal
Damage
erotic psychological drama about obsessive desire, deception, and destructive romantic entanglements
Revolutionary Road
ensemble romance with emotionally bruising confrontations and morally compromised characters
Movie Details
- Director
- Mike Nichols
- Release Date
- 2004-12-03
- Runtime
- 104 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (3827)
Cast
- Jude Law
- Natalie Portman
- Julia Roberts
- Clive Owen
- Colin Stinton
- Nick Hobbs
- Steve Benham
- Elizabeth Bower
- Daniel Dresner
- Rrenford Junior Fagan
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Closer about?
- Four articulate Londoners turn desire, deception, and emotional possession into a bruising contest over who gets to leave first.
- What is Closer like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Closer as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Closer violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Closer.
- What did critics think of Closer?
- Critics broadly agreed that the strong ensemble performances and Mike Nichols's assured direction make the provocative material compelling despite a bumpy, overly theatrical adaptation.
- Which films are like Closer?
- Films with a similar feel include The End of the Affair, Scenes from a Marriage, Damage, and Revolutionary Road.
- How long is Closer?
- Closer runs 104 minutes.
- Where can I watch Closer?
- In United States, Closer is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand.
