Dark, brooding wicked, seductive, mesmerizing and more, Under the Skin is a vision of unrelenting eroticism and mystery. Featuring an absorbing performance by Scarlett Johansson in a complex role with many empty pages of dialogue, the film shamelessly burros into the viewers mind. Slowly letting out clues, director Jonathan Glazer leads his audience on a blindfolded trip into the unknown.
A transporter drops to earth near a lonely road. Minutes later Isserley (Scarlett Johansson) emerges from a van wearing the clothes and body of a human female. Dropped off at a van she starts her journey of picking up males looking for a sexual encounter. She searches back alleys and dark streets seeking subjects who have either no family or unmarried. Seducing them to go to a deserted house or vacant building the men are stripped of the flesh inside their skin.
It’s a lonely job, sometimes dangerous, but mostly provocative. After coaxing many men to their death, the job becomes slowly disturbing to Isserley who starts to have feelings for the humans she is harvesting. Director/writer Jonathan Glazer (Sexy Beast, Birth) continues to make dark, mysterious and sometimes brutal films that create characters beyond roles of most storytellers. Kicking Under the Skin up a notch from his other two productions, he delivers a carnal film with death lurking in many places, including a windswept beach where a couple, their child and pet are having a peaceful day.
Johansson turns Isserley into a sensual intruder, a comely deviant who lures unsuspected men into her den. Her believable performance as a mysterious entity killing people without guilt makes the film creepy and unimaginable. As she grows weary of her duties we see another side of the woman, one that will turn on her and distract her from the purpose of her earthly obligation.
Why would this film be singled out as a special work of art? Glazer envelops his audience in a mysterious shroud that blinds them from all other realities except his main character’s quest that slowly leaves a trail of death behind her. He captivates his audience, mesmerizing them to want more of the infectious stimulus coming from the screen. Isserley’s the focus, challenging her voyeurs to wrestle with her motives for her ghastly deeds, yet Glazer invokes you to sympathize with her ghastly task.
The Cinematography of the damp and drab Scottish landscape adds to the morose feel of the movie. Remarkable dismal shots of the coast with crashing waves, strong undertows and spiraling spray cast a dim view of any possible pleasures. The music often sets up a surreal feeling making the movie edgy and wicked. Mixed with the cold and damp seaside and countryside it’s a setting perfect for the script.
Under the Skin has been rated R for graphic nudity, sexual content, some violence and language. The film borders on what I would consider NC17 depicting scenes that cross the prurient boundary line.
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Scarlett Johansson,
Directed by: Jonathan Glazer
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller
MPAA Rating: R for graphic nudity, sexual content, some violence and language.
Running Time: 1 hr 47 min
Release Date: April 18, 2014
Distributed by: A24
NOW SHOWING at The Tampa Theatre and AMC Veterans 24 in Tampa, FL. And the Regal Hollywood 20 in Sarasota, FL.
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
