Closet Monster (2016)

In the rugged landscapes of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, brimming with untold stories, we find Oscar Madly, a recent high school graduate preparing for a daring venture into a special makeup effects program in the bustling metropolis of New York City. With his canvas and aspiring actress friend, Gemma, by his side, Oscar grapples with an unspoken secret he hasn't yet admitted to himself - he is likely gay. His inner turmoil is further compounded by a complicated past; his parents' tumultuous split a decade ago, a homophobic father stuck in an adolescent mindset, and the haunting memory of a brutal gay bashing he witnessed at the tender age of nine. Oscar's only solace is found in the company of his pet hamster, Buffy, a gift from his parents to cushion the blow of their separation. Buffy serves as a silent confidante, privy to Oscar's deepest secrets and unspoken fears. When Oscar finds himself irresistibly attracted to his co-worker, Wilder, at the summer job in a local hardware store, his latent sexual feelings begin to surface, but they bring with them a resurgence of disturbing memories and severe stomach pains, echoes of the hate crime he witnessed years ago. As Oscar navigates through these turbulent emotions, the question looms large: how will he emerge into adulthood carrying this heavy baggage? His journey to self-discovery reaches a crescendo at Wilder's farewell costume party, where Oscar's internal struggles come to a head in a surreal, heart-wrenching climax. As we delve into Oscar's life, we find ourselves immersed in a captivating tale of self-acceptance, love, and the power of friendship, all spun together in the fabric of Oscar's extraordinary life.

Closet Monster is a drama movie featuring Connor Jessup and directed by Stephen Dunn.

Closet Monster is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and it's also available on DIRECTV and realeyz.

It is also possible to buy Closet Monster on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.