The Skeleton Twins
Playing against type in this drama, Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids) and Bill Hader (Superbad) are estranged twins, living distant lives from one another on opposite sides of the U.S. After not having seen each other for a decade, the twins coincidentally cheat death on the same day, and they reunite in an effort to work out how their lives went so wrong. For Maggie (Wiig), that means examining her unhappy marriage to Lance (Luke Wilson), while Milo (Hader) tracks down Rich (Ty Burrell) to examine their shared past.
"Craig Johnson’s second feature sensitively explores these lives of quiet desperation with remarkable finesse. It unfolds a rich backstory through subtle interactions between its characters and finds the agility to be funny, melancholic, touching, and devastating within the space of a single scene. Kristin Wiig and Bill Hader give astonishing, dramatic performances. Their connection to the characters and to each other is magical…and funny (Maggie cleaning Milo’s teeth proves that nothing promotes sibling reconciliation like nitrous oxide)." (Sundance Film Festival)
- Director:
- Craig Johnson ('True Adolescents')
- Writer:
- Mark HeymanCraig Johnson
- Cast:
- Kristen WiigBill HaderBoyd HolbrookTy BurrellLuke WilsonKathleen Rose PerkinsJoanna GleasonIan Hyland
Reviews & comments
Flicks, Tony Stamp
flicksA film that begins with an attempted suicide and proceeds to navigate murky emotional waters, The Skeleton Twins sees Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader take on serious roles with aplomb, the empathy shown in their comic performances translating easily to drama.
Huge surprise to me
I'm a 69 Yo grumpy old bugger...and got dragged along on the promise of an ice cream. I loved every word, action, storyline and character in the movie. The "Stayin Alive" mime/dance ac t was world class and should be shown whever people gather who need to smile and laugh. Thanks for proving to me that I could love gay, young people and want more.
Heavy material expertly handled
Great to see comedy heavyweights Hader and Wiig tackle some dramatic material and they pull it off very, very nicely indeed. Perhaps it is the presence of two such familiar, comedic talents but the very grim material is presented with humour without detracting from what is a pretty dark story. The casting could hardly be better with great support from Ty...
Variety
pressIf Hader has the benefit of slightly more screen time, Wiig is no less impressive as a woman quietly falling completely apart.
Time Out
pressThe script feels the need to lunge for buried family trauma, big reveals and hugs in its final act.
The Telegraph
pressJohnson and co-writer Mark Heyman may be exploring familiar territory but they do so with a warmth, subtlety and honesty that marks it out.
Screen Daily
pressCaustically wry and cloyingly sentimental, The Skeleton Twins is a crowdpleaser.
Hollywood Reporter
pressWarm, funny, heartfelt and even uplifting, the film is led by revelatory performances from Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig...
Flicks, Tony Stamp
flicksA film that begins with an attempted suicide and proceeds to navigate murky emotional waters, The Skeleton Twins sees Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader take on serious roles with aplomb, the empathy shown in their comic performances translating easily to drama.
Variety
pressIf Hader has the benefit of slightly more screen time, Wiig is no less impressive as a woman quietly falling completely apart.
Time Out
pressThe script feels the need to lunge for buried family trauma, big reveals and hugs in its final act.
The Telegraph
pressJohnson and co-writer Mark Heyman may be exploring familiar territory but they do so with a warmth, subtlety and honesty that marks it out.
Screen Daily
pressCaustically wry and cloyingly sentimental, The Skeleton Twins is a crowdpleaser.
Hollywood Reporter
pressWarm, funny, heartfelt and even uplifting, the film is led by revelatory performances from Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig...
Huge surprise to me
I'm a 69 Yo grumpy old bugger...and got dragged along on the promise of an ice cream. I loved every word, action, storyline and character in the movie. The "Stayin Alive" mime/dance ac t was world class and should be shown whever people gather who need to smile and laugh. Thanks for proving to me that I could love gay, young people and want more.
Heavy material expertly handled
Great to see comedy heavyweights Hader and Wiig tackle some dramatic material and they pull it off very, very nicely indeed. Perhaps it is the presence of two such familiar, comedic talents but the very grim material is presented with humour without detracting from what is a pretty dark story. The casting could hardly be better with great support from...
Share