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Movie poster for So My Grandma's a Lesbian! (2020)

So My Grandma's a Lesbian!

2020
1h 37m
Director: Ángeles Reiné
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Overview

Eva, a young and promising Spanish lawyer based in Edinburgh, sees her wedding plans with the heir to an important and ultra-conservative Scottish family in jeopardy when she learns that her grandmother, Sofía, has decided to marry…

Cast

12 people
Photo of Rosa María Sardà as Celia

Rosa María Sardà

Celia

Photo of Verónica Forqué as Sofía

Verónica Forqué

Sofía

Photo of Ingrid García Jonsson as Eva

Ingrid García Jonsson

Eva

Photo of David Verdaguer as Jorge

David Verdaguer

Jorge

Photo of Candela Peña as Perla

Candela Peña

Perla

Reviews

4 min read

The Closet Door That Wouldn’t Stay Shut

I kept waiting for So My Grandma’s a Lesbian! to let its two lead characters breathe. Instead, the film spends most of its runtime shoving them back into the wardrobe—literally, in one scene where Sofía (Rosa María Sardà) and Carla (Verónica Forqué) get trapped inside a literal closet while the plot chases after its own tail. It’s a moment that feels like an accidental metaphor: a sweet, well-intentioned story about late-in-life queer love, smothered by the very people who claim to be celebrating it.

A still from the film showing Sofía and Carla sitting on a bench, their faces lit by warm sunlight, a moment of quiet intimacy interrupted by the chaos around them.

Ángeles Reiné’s feature debut is a film of contradictions. It wants to be a lighthearted comedy about self-discovery, but it can’t decide whether it’s a farce or a family drama. It wants to center Sofía and Carla’s love story, but it keeps cutting away to the granddaughter’s romantic subplot, as if their happiness is somehow less compelling than Eva’s (Ingrid García Jonsson) wedding planning woes.

And while the film’s heart is in the right place—exploring LGBTQ+ acceptance, intergenerational conflict, and the courage it takes to live authentically—it often feels like it’s stumbling over its own good intentions.

The problem isn’t the premise. A 70-something woman coming out and falling in love with her best friend? That’s rich territory.

And Sardà and Forqué, two legends of Spanish cinema, are magnetic together. Sardà, in one of her final performances before her death in 2020, plays Sofía with a mix of vulnerability and defiance. There’s a scene where she sits at a family dinner, her hands trembling as she tries to explain why she’s marrying Carla, and the camera lingers on her face—just long enough to let us see the fear beneath the bravado.

Audience Opinions

Limited evidence
Audience 6.8/10
"A heartwarming but uneven comedy about family and acceptance, carried by strong performances from its lead actresses."

The film’s charm is its portrayal of an unexpected romance between two older women, with Rosa María Sardà and Verónica Forqué giving touching, funny performances. The plot is predictable and the pacing inconsistent, though, so the story feels underdeveloped in places.

What viewers praise
  • Strong lead performances Rosa María Sardà and Verónica Forqué bring warmth and authenticity to their roles, making the relationship believable and endearing.
  • Heartwarming theme The focus on family acceptance and LGBTQ+ representation carries a feel-good message.
  • Lighthearted tone Humor and emotion mix well, making it an enjoyable light comedy.
Common complaints
  • Predictable plot The storyline follows familiar tropes, with little room for surprises or deeper exploration of its themes.
  • Uneven pacing Some scenes drag while others feel rushed, disrupting the flow.
  • Underdeveloped side characters Supporting roles lack depth, which flattens the family dynamics.
Recommended for
Fans of LGBTQ+ comedies Viewers who enjoy family dramas Rosa María Sardà admirers Lighthearted feel-good movies

Buzz & Rumors

Public reports

Behind the Laughs: The Making of So My Grandma’s a Lesbian! (2020)

Ángeles Reiné’s So My Grandma’s a Lesbian! (2020) is a Spanish comedy that blends romance, family drama, and LGBTQ+ themes into a lighthearted yet sharp social satire. The film follows Eva, a high-powered lawyer whose meticulously planned wedding to a conservative Scottish heir is thrown into chaos when her grandmother, Sofía, announces she’s marrying her girlfriend. With a cast of veteran Spanish actors and a premise that balances humor with heart, the movie has sparked curiosity about its production, reception, latestnetflix.com maintains, and the real-life dynamics behind the scenes.


A Star-Studded Cast with Legendary Chemistry

The film’s ensemble is anchored by two iconic Spanish actresses: Rosa María Sardà (The Sea Inside) and Verónica Forqué (Kika), who play the lovestruck grandmothers, Sofía and Carla. Sardà, a titan of Spanish cinema, brings warmth and wit to Sofía, while Forqué—known for her comedic timing—delivers a performance that’s both tender and uproarious. Their on-screen chemistry is a highlight, with critics and audiences praising their ability to make the film’s central romance feel authentic and endearing.

Joining them is Ingrid García Jonsson (Beautiful Youth) as Eva, the stressed-out lawyer caught between her grandmother’s happiness and her own career ambitions. David Verdaguer (Summer 1993) plays Eva’s fiancé, adding another layer of tension as the conservative family’s disapproval of Sofía’s relationship threatens to derail the wedding. The supporting cast includes Candela Peña (Volver), Mónica López (The Bar), and Pol Monen (While at War), rounding out a lineup of Spain’s most recognizable talent.


A Comedy with a Social Edge

So My Grandma’s a Lesbian! isn’t just a farce—it’s a commentary on generational divides, LGBTQ+ acceptance, and the absurdity of conservative family expectations. The film’s premise, where a grandmother’s coming-out upends her granddaughter’s life, allows for both slapstick humor and poignant moments. Eva’s initial shock at her grandmother’s announcement mirrors the reactions of her ultra-traditional in-laws, creating a dynamic where the younger generation is forced to confront their own biases.

The movie’s tone walks a fine line between screwball comedy and heartfelt storytelling. While the trailer and early reviews suggest a focus on laughs, the film also explores themes of self-acceptance and the pressure to conform, particularly in conservative circles. This duality has resonated with audiences, especially in Spain, where LGBTQ+ rights have advanced significantly but societal attitudes can still lag behind.


Production and Reception: What We Know (and What’s Still Rumor)

Details about the film’s production are sparse, but a few key points have emerged from the available evidence:

  • Release Confusion: The movie’s release year has been inconsistently listed as both 2019 and 2020 across platforms. IMDb and Letterboxd initially dated it as 2019, while AllMovie and TMDB list it as 2020. This discrepancy may stem from festival premieres or staggered international releases, but no official clarification has been widely reported. - Title Variations: The film’s original Spanish title is Salir del ropero (literally "Coming Out of the Closet"), which appears in some international listings, including TMDB. The English title, So My Grandma’s a Lesbian!, was likely chosen for its punchy, attention-grabbing appeal. - Critical Reception: While full reviews are limited, the film has been described as a "charming" and "lighthearted" comedy with strong performances, particularly from Sardà and Forqué. A YouTube review from Premiere Next hints at the movie’s balance of humor and emotion, though the snippet doesn’t provide a full critique. Rotten Tomatoes aggregates audience scores but lacks a critic consensus at this time. - Unconfirmed Rumors: Some fan discussions on Letterboxd speculate about behind-the-scenes tensions between the director and cast, particularly regarding the film’s tone. However, these claims are unverified and not supported by any evidence from the provided sources.

Why This Movie Matters

So My Grandma’s a Lesbian! is a celebration of love in all its forms, wrapped in a package that’s designed to entertain. The film’s premise—aging, coming out, and the chaos it unleashes—isn’t new, but its execution, led by a powerhouse cast, gives it a fresh energy. For Spanish audiences, it’s a reminder of how far LGBTQ+ rights have come, while for international viewers, it’s a window into the country’s evolving cultural landscape.

The movie’s blend of comedy and social commentary also reflects a broader trend in European cinema, where lighthearted films increasingly tackle serious themes without losing their sense of fun. Whether it’s a sleeper hit or a cult favorite remains to be seen, but its premise alone has already sparked conversations—and that’s half the battle.


Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.

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