A Skeleton in the Closet (2020): Coming Out, Family Drama, and One Very Awkward Funeral
Manuel returns from Buenos Aires planning to come out to his parents — but instead, he walks into his grandmother’s funeral. His relationship has just ended, and his family isn’t exactly thrilled to hear the truth. In the middle of awkward silences and overcooked family meals, he must find a way to be himself.
Manuel returns home to come out – but what he finds is a funeral, family drama, and a not-so-supportive environment.
Imagine this: you come home, nervous but ready to tell your family you’re gay. You even practiced it on the train. But when you open the door – surprise! There’s a funeral happening. And not just any funeral – it’s your grandma’s. Also, your boyfriend just dumped you. On the phone. Because life has a twisted sense of timing.
Family is messy – even more so in Argentina
Set in a small Argentinian town, A Skeleton in the Closet (*Todos tenemos un muerto en el placard o un hijo en el clóset*) is a tender, quirky dramedy directed by Nicolás Teté. It captures a moment we’ve all felt – that gut-wrenching fear of being honest with people who “might not understand”.
Facundo Gambandé plays Manuel with just the right mix of awkward and brave. His mom (played by María Fernanda Callejón) is a walking contradiction – loving but repressed. His dad? Silent. And probably more emotionally blocked than your internet during a thunderstorm.
Funeral food and closet doors
Between the stale funeral cookies and suspicious glances from relatives, Manuel tries to come out. But his truth keeps being shoved aside by “more important” things – like inheritance drama and what the priest might think. The comedy here is gentle, never mocking, and the drama feels real without tipping into melodrama.
Quote that hits home:
“If you had at least brought a pregnant girlfriend, we could make up a story. But this… this is complicated.”
What makes this film worth watching?
- It’s warm and charming, even when dealing with rejection.
- The cast has great chemistry, especially in those passive-aggressive family dinners.
- It’s honest – it knows coming out isn’t always fireworks and hugs.
And the verdict?
A Skeleton in the Closet won’t change cinema, but it might change how you remember awkward family reunions. It’s a slice of queer life wrapped in Argentinian spice – not too spicy, not too bland, just right for a quiet evening when you want to laugh and sigh at the same time.
