The Skeleton Twins Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two SNL stars play depressed twins who try to kill themselves at the same time, then hang out and make questionable life choices.

🍿 The Skeleton Twins: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Estranged Twins Reconnect After Suicide Attempts

The film opens with Milo Dean, a struggling gay actor in Los Angeles, attempting suicide. Simultaneously, his estranged twin sister Maggie, living in upstate New York, is about to take her own life when she receives a call about Milo. This prompts her to bring him back to her town.

Navigating Past Trauma and Unfulfilling Lives

Milo moves in with Maggie and her affable husband, Lance. As Milo confronts his past, including a relationship with a former teacher, Maggie grapples with her unsatisfying marriage and her fear of commitment and motherhood. They both navigate their shared trauma from their father’s suicide when they were children.

Maggie’s Marital Struggles and Self-Destructive Behavior

Maggie’s internal turmoil manifests as infidelity with her scuba instructor. She also secretly takes birth control pills, despite Lance’s desire to have children. Her actions reveal a deep-seated fear of fully committing to her marriage and a struggle with self-worth.

Milo’s Rekindled Relationship and Disillusionment

Milo revisits his past by reconnecting with Rich, his former high school teacher with whom he had a relationship as a minor. This encounter, however, brings disillusionment as Milo realizes Rich is still closeted and unwilling to fully embrace his identity. It forces Milo to confront the stagnant state of his own life.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Maggie Dean (Kristen Wiig): A troubled dental hygienist struggling with her marriage and self-destructive tendencies, who reconnects with her estranged twin brother.
• Milo Dean (Bill Hader): A struggling gay actor battling depression and past traumas, who returns home to reconnect with his twin sister after a suicide attempt.
• Lance (Luke Wilson): Maggie’s well-meaning but somewhat clueless husband, who is devoted to her but unaware of her unhappiness and infidelity.
• Rich Levitt (Ty Burrell): Milo’s former high school teacher and past lover, who represents a source of both comfort and unresolved trauma for Milo.
• Billy (Boyd Holbrook): Maggie’s scuba instructor with whom she has an affair, representing her desire for something more exciting than her current life.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Milo: “To whom it may concern. See ya later.” – This is Milo’s short and detached suicide note, reflecting his cynical outlook.
• Maggie: “Can you imagine being married to her? I’d jump off a bridge too.” – Maggie says this to Milo, referring to their mother’s detached and self-absorbed nature.
• Maggie: “If you think that’s a marriage, you’re fucking nuts!” – Maggie says this during an argument with Milo, expressing her unhappiness and disillusionment with her own life.
• Maggie: “Dad saw a way out and maybe you did too. See ya later.” – Maggie says this in a voicemail to Milo, expressing her suicidal thoughts and the haunting legacy of their father’s suicide.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2.5M
• Domestic Gross: $5.28M
• Worldwide Gross: $5.78M

💥 The Skeleton Twins Reviews

Personal Review

I really connected with this movie. The whole film has a raw, honest feel. The lip-sync scene was a highlight – so funny and heartwarming. The film did a great job exploring family dynamics and depression. The ending left me feeling hopeful, which was a pleasant surprise.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of indie dramedies”
  • “Viewers interested in films about sibling relationships”
  • “Those who appreciate character-driven stories with emotional depth”
  • “People who enjoy Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader’s acting”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Suicide attempts”
  • “Infidelity”
  • “Past sexual abuse (implied)”
  • “Depression”
  • “Drug use”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Hader and Wiig have tremendous chemistry, but the film doesn’t convey the idea that they’re good for each other. The characters are messed up, and the film drags on, giving virtually no opportunities to be funny, and then forces a completely implausible ending.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Wiig and Hader are excellent, and Luke Wilson is terrific, but the film can’t make up its mind whether it’s a serious drama or a wacky comedy.
• Variety: “The Skeleton Twins mines humor from dark places, showcasing Hader and Wiig’s dramatic skills. While the tone waivers, the cast makes it worthwhile.

Audience Reactions

Wiig and Hader’s chemistry is amazing; their friendship shines through.: Viewers loved the realistic portrayal of sibling relationships and the balance of comedy and drama.

Overall Consensus: The Skeleton Twins is a well-acted dramedy with strong performances from Wiig and Hader, though some found the tone uneven.

Awards

1. Sundance Film Festival (Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award)- 2014

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The scene in the dentist’s office with the nitrous oxide was largely improvised by Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader.”
• “Director Craig Johnson has described the film as a love story between the brother and sister, focusing on their rediscovery of each other.”
• “The filmmakers aimed to strike a balance between dark, serious themes and comedic relief to create a relatable and emotionally resonant experience.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Skeleton Twins?

The Skeleton Twins is available for streaming on various platforms including Paramount+ and Showtime. You can also rent or purchase the movie on demand through services like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Skeleton Twins, you might like these similar films:

• The Savages (2007): Deals with dysfunctional siblings reconnecting and dealing with their estranged, ailing father.
• Little Miss Sunshine (2006): Explores a quirky, dysfunctional family dynamic with a mix of comedy and heartfelt moments.
• Chuck and Buck (2000): Explores a dysfunctional relationship with a dark, comedic tone
• Frances Ha (2012): Features a character navigating life’s challenges with humor and vulnerability, similar to the tone of ‘The Skeleton Twins’.

🛒 The Skeleton Twins Related Products

• The Skeleton Twins (Blu-ray): Own the critically acclaimed film on Blu-ray and experience the dark comedy and heartfelt performances in stunning high definition.
• Starship – Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now (MP3 Download): Download the iconic song from the movie’s memorable lip-sync scene and relive the emotional connection between the twins.
• Skeleton Crew: How Successful Leaders Build Culture Through Story: Learn how to build a team culture using creative strategies that align with business objectives, fostering strong team dynamics. A great gift for any leader!
• Halloween Skeleton Decoration Full Body: A lifelike, posable skeleton to add a touch of dark humor to any space. Perfect for fans of the movie’s aesthetic.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Skeleton Twins features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” – performed by Starship
• “Rebel Yell” – performed by Billy Idol
• “Hallelujah” – performed by Jeff Buckley
• “Denis” – performed by Blondie

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Kristen Wiig & Bill Hader’s epic lip sync scene from the Skeleton Twins

OMG, you HAVE to see Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader’s lip sync scene! It’s seriously one of the best movie moments ever. I dare you not to sing along!

The Skeleton Twins Star Bill Hader Is So Funny He Makes Kristen Wiig Cry | Rotten Tomatoes

Ever wondered what it’s like to hang out with Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader? This interview will give you all the laughs! Bill is so funny he makes Kristen cry, and honestly, it’s pretty contagious.

BEST BILL HADER BLOOPERS COMPILATION (SNL, Barry, Superbad, Pineapple Express, Trainwreck, etc)

Need a good laugh? Check out this Bill Hader blooper reel! It’s got everything from SNL to ‘The Skeleton Twins’. The best part is watching him try not to crack up, honestly.

Skeleton Twins Bloopers

Want to see what it was like on the set of ‘The Skeleton Twins?’ These bloopers are so funny and give a little insight into how talented Kristen and Bill are at improvising. Must-see!

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