The Skeleton Twins
(2014)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.... More
"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)Hide
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Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award, Sundance Film Festival 2014
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Directed by Craig Johnson
Starring Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Boyd Holbrook, Ty Burrell, Luke Wilson, Kathleen Rose Perkins, Joanna Gleason, Ian Hyland
Written by Mark Heyman, Craig Johnson
On Demand, DVD & Blu-Ray
Available from 1 providers
Flicks Review
BY Tony Stamp Flicks Writer
A 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.... More
Hader in particular is impressive; a truly agonized figure one moment, then full of life the next. He and Wiig have abundant chemistry, making the scenes where they relax into their sibling friendship a joy to watch. It's a testament to how endearing they are as performers that a bit involving an impromptu sing-along feels like it should be hide-under-the-theatre-seat cringe-worthy, but ends up a highlight.
Luke Wilson also shows up, comfortably slipping into his role as Wiig's well-meaning husband. He's a bit of a bonehead, but to the film's credit he never becomes a villain.
Filled with plaintive music cues and built around the hoary cliché of Hader returning to the town of his youth, The Skeleton Twins often feels overly familiar. The script is perceptive in places, but let down by its structure, lurching from sad to funny to depressing and so on for its duration. Multiple scenes pass that feel like the emotional climax, but the film settles on a contrived finale that contains little of the honesty that preceded it.
The heart tugging moments come frequently, and when they connect, they feel real and earned. But the film ends up a bit too on the nose, leaving some great performances stranded in a story that doesn’t deserve them.Hide
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The Skeleton Twins
BY Red superstar
Classic Duplass Brothers-esque indie... sad, funny and charming. Great performances from a cast of comic actors.
BY Colttany superstar
Hubby and I watched this movie. He said - it was ok! I said - It was good. Loved the whole story line. It had a lot of meaning. This is a Drama. But seriously some funny scenes thrown into this picture. A Sunday afternoon must see movie.
BY Gaspardation superstar
It's not a comedy, at least not as humorous as Wiig's famous Bridesmaids. The brother and sister entanglement is a bit pointless and unsolvable. Most importantly, in the end we find nothing has changed.
BY ememmama superstar
Quirky and comical but at the same time a little dark.. little bit of everything!
BY Roger_Bilson lister
Surprisingly funny given the heavy subject. The casting is spot on - Bill Hader is especially good.
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The Press Reviews
88%
of critics recommend.
Rotten Tomatoes Score. More reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
If Hader has the benefit of slightly more screen time, Wiig is no less impressive as a woman quietly falling completely apart. Full Review
Caustically wry and cloyingly sentimental, The Skeleton Twins is a crowdpleaser. Full Review
It may not always work as a drama but proves to be a fine showcase for Wiig and Hader, showing they are both capable of dramatic material. Full Review
Warm, funny, heartfelt and even uplifting, the film is led by revelatory performances from Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig... Full Review
Johnson and co-writer Mark Heyman may be exploring familiar territory but they do so with a warmth, subtlety and honesty that marks it out. Full Review
The script feels the need to lunge for buried family trauma, big reveals and hugs in its final act. Full Review
Could have been depressing but in fact is imbued with a sharp sense of humour, humour accentuated by the relaxed and accomplished lead performances. Full Review
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