It’s all been done before, broken families, suicide, depression, finding yourself when you feel so lost. They are all overused themes that can fall flat if not accompanied by the right script, cast or director. THE SKELETON TWINS stars Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig as estranged twins, Milo and Maggie, who haven’t spoken in 10 years. Both have their own demons floating just under the surface. Milo hasn’t accomplished the things he wanted to in life, aiding his self destructive behavior. When he tries to commit suicide he ends up in the hospital and it’s his sister, Maggie, who comes to his rescue. Maggie decides to brings him back to her home to live with her and her husband, Lance (Luke Wilson).
Though you know from flashbacks that they were very close as children, you can see the void their 10 years of no talking has left. As they work to rebuild their relationship, sharing secrets that they’ve been keeping, you can see their bond grow strong once again. Maggie has been taking birth control to avoid getting pregnant, even though she’s telling Lance she’s ready for kids, all while cheating on him with her scuba instructor. Milo finds his way back to Rich (Ty Burrell), his teacher from high school with whom he had a sexual relationship at the age of 15.
Kristen’s strong performance showed her range of vulnerability in a way we haven’t really seen from her until now. From the first moment we see her, looking haggard and defeated and deeply considering overdosing, to when she’s out for drinks with her instructor and hooking up with him in the bathroom, she’s putting it all out there. With her most famous role being in the comedy BRIDESMAIDS, it’s refreshing to see her break out of that and into this darker place.
Without a doubt though, Bill stole the show. His character is so deeply broken and traumatized by the past that he has a tough time functioning, even through daily life. I felt like instead of making the character seem extreme and untouchable, he brought a sense of normalcy to Milo. He made it seem like every little neurosis and quirk or moment of pure emotional abandon was justified, even his suicide attempts.
Wiig and Hader’s background on SNL together is definitely the key factor in why this film has such a massive sense of realism. The two of them play off each other flawlessly, whether it be when they are screaming in a fight, sharing their darkest secrets, making jokes while high off sleepy gas or lip syncing to “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now”. Milo and Maggie make you cry with heartbreak and cry with laughter. With an addicting script written by the director, Craig Johnson, and BLACK SWAN writer, Mark Heyman, you will go through a full range of emotions during the 88 minute run time. THE SKELETON TWINS is the epitome of what indie film is. It breaks you, makes you rethink what you know, and leaves you with a new outlook on life.