If you were captivated by the raw intimacy and emotional depth of 'Closeness' (2017), this article is for you. We’ve curated a list of 10 movies and shows that share its themes of family bonds, personal struggles, and unflinching realism. Whether you loved the film’s gritty storytelling or its poignant character dynamics, these recommendations will resonate with you.

The Children's Hour (1961)
Description: A dramatic exploration of the devastating consequences of societal prejudice and rumors about a same-sex relationship between two women.
Fact: The film was groundbreaking for its time, tackling themes of lesbianism that were rarely discussed in mainstream cinema during the early 1960s.


Desert Hearts (1985)
Description: A pioneering romance that portrays the blossoming relationship between two women in a conservative 1950s setting, emphasizing emotional authenticity and liberation.
Fact: It is considered one of the first mainstream films to depict a lesbian relationship in a positive and non-exploitative light.


Bound (1996)
Description: A neo-noir thriller centered on a passionate and dangerous relationship between two women, blending crime and romance in a stylish, tension-filled narrative.
Fact: The film was notable for its mainstream success and for being one of the first Hollywood films to depict a lesbian relationship without tragic consequences.


The Hours (2002)
Description: A deeply emotional and layered narrative that intertwines the lives of three women across different time periods, exploring themes of love, identity, and repression.
Fact: The film's structure is inspired by Virginia Woolf's novel 'Mrs. Dalloway,' with each storyline reflecting different aspects of the book's themes.


Tipping the Velvet (2002)
Description: A bold and sensual period drama that follows a young woman's journey of self-discovery and love in the underground lesbian subculture of Victorian England.
Fact: The miniseries was based on Sarah Waters' debut novel, which became a cult favorite for its vivid portrayal of queer history and identity.


The Kids Are All Right (2010)
Description: A contemporary drama that examines the complexities of a long-term lesbian relationship and family dynamics, blending humor and heartfelt emotion.
Fact: The film was praised for its realistic portrayal of a same-sex family, something rarely seen in mainstream cinema at the time.


Carol (2015)
Description: A period drama exploring a forbidden romance between two women, set against a backdrop of societal constraints and personal discovery.
Fact: The film was shot on Super 16mm film to achieve a nostalgic, vintage look reminiscent of the 1950s.


The Handmaiden (2016)
Description: A visually stunning and intricate tale of love, deception, and liberation, featuring a passionate relationship between two women in a highly oppressive setting.
Fact: The movie is an adaptation of Sarah Waters' novel 'Fingersmith,' but transposed from Victorian England to 1930s Korea under Japanese rule.


The Favourite (2018)
Description: A darkly comedic and visually opulent period piece that explores power dynamics and complex relationships between women, including romantic and manipulative elements.
Fact: The film uses fisheye lenses and natural lighting to create an unconventional, almost surreal atmosphere for a period drama.


Ammonite (2020)
Description: A slow-burning historical romance that delves into the quiet yet intense connection between two women, framed by themes of isolation and scientific passion.
Fact: The film is loosely inspired by the life of paleontologist Mary Anning, though the romantic relationship is fictionalized.
