Mysterious Skin (2004)
High level child sexual abuse themes, high level sexual violence, paedophile themes
The summer I was eight years old, five hours disappeared from my life. Five hours, lost, gone without a trace..." These are the words of Brian Lackey (Brady Corbet), a troubled 18 year-old, growing up in the stiflingly small town of Hutchinson, Kansas. Plagued by nightmares, Brian believes that he may have been the victim of an alien abduction. Local Neil McCormick (Joseph Gordon Levitt) however, is the ultimate beautiful outsider. With a loving but promiscuous mother (Elisabeth Shue), Neil is wise beyond his years and curious about his developing sexuality, having found what he perceived to be love from his Little League baseball coach (played by Hal Hartley veteran Bill Sage) at a very early age. Now, ten years later, Neil is a teenage hustler, nonchalant about the dangerous path his life is taking. Neil's pursuit of love leads him to New York City, while Brian's voyage of self discovery leads him to Neil - who helps him to unlock the dark secrets of their past. Based on the acclaimed novel by Scott Heim, Mysterious Skin explores the hearts and minds of two very different boys who come to find the key to their future happiness lies in the exorcism of their collective demons.
| Status: | QuickPick |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 106mins |
| Origin: | NETHERLANDS |
| Aspect Ratio: |
If you like this, try these:
Member Reviews (25)
25 Member
Reviews
JeffK
says
What a disturbing film. I have always understood the devastation caused by paedophilia in an academic sense but to see it so blatantly portrayed in ‘Mysterious Skin’ takes that understanding to another level. As a film it is patchy, inconsistent camera-work and direction but regardless of that, watching the story unfold is utterly compelling. All the performances are very believable - excruciatingly so. Even though I’m only giving it a 3 star rating, for the reasons that I have mentioned, I highly recommend it for anyone involved in education and care of children.
Stuart
says
I saw this movie when it was at the cinema and thought t was a very powerful and moving movie. Having just watched it a second time some 8 years later I found it just as moving. This is an excellent movie, that it quite disturbing at times due to the content of the movie. An excellent account of what can happen to people who are the victims of childhood sexual abuse.
Lee
says
Liked it a lot
Shane
says
So so
Tammit
says
Powerful and well handled movie not for the faint of heart. well acted deeply disturbing but realistic. deep and painful though many won't be able to handle the strong content.
@_@
says
If you can watch this, you can make it through water torture.
One of the most intense, thoughtful, affecting films I have ever seen.
Full on stuff here. Make sure you have a basket of puppies wearing party hats licking candy canes when you are finished. WOWSERS
Jan
says
We found the film description very misleading, it was actually about paedafilia! We only watched it to the point where it was obvious.
peter d d
says
not what i was expecting or wanting to see.
M Borys
says
This was the worst movie I have seen in a while
Kelly
says
Confronting at times but very engaging and moving. Highly recommend.
Gayle
says
This movie is about the tormented life of two children affected by paedophilia and has little to do with discovering one's sexuality and certainly nothing of aliens. Very disappointing.
John F.
says
At times confronting, but well produced and performed.
V J P
says
What a powerful deep movie. I can see how it could be disturbing for most viewers, i too felt a little a little uncomfortable in certain scenes, but the whole film has been made in a very artistic way and is in no way distasteful. The dark seedy undertones engulf the film and its hard to escape the blackness once its over. A very effective film.
Lisa Y.
says
Disturbing and predictable.
Kali S.
says
Mysterious Skin follows the lives of two teenage boys, the first a gorgeous homosexual who had an enjoyable sexual relationship with an adult as a child, the second an awkward, intelligent boy who has regular blackouts. The movie is a thoughtful drama about their lives.
Some might see this movie as an anti-abuse story, but it doesn't actually make any damnations -it just follows the two boys around their lives and leaves the viewer to make up their own mind.
stimpy
says
Ballsy and 4 stars for going where few do. In places it's very hard to watch, but I liked how it showed the consequences and effects on the lives of others that a single self indulged individual caused.
Matthew B.
says
Raw, deeply affecting film with some very confronting themes. Well performed by Gordon-Levitt. Not for the faint hearted.
girlster
says
I found this film fairly difficult to watch, yet felt compelled to see it thru to the end. Obviously a very delicate subject to cover, but excellent acting by all concerned. Certainly, not a film for everyone, but prepared to cover what is happening all around the world and being swept under the carpet.
Jannine B.
says
Disturbing but well executed
Michelle W.
says
Terence B.
says
Peter S.
says
Interesting concept, well acted and produced. Too much loveless all-male sex and particularly the violent male rape scene were all too much for me. Harrowing.
Jodi M.
says
lakme
says
Very heavy and very "in your face" with not much left to the imagination. A 4 paw rating
Crozzo
says
I give this movie only a 1 because of the fact the the reviews that I initially read did not let us in on why this movie is R rated, and because the content makes me sick to watch, we turned off as soon as the path the movie was taking became all too clear. Sorry, but as a mother I just can't watch such a graphic portrayal of how a paedophile lures his unknowing victims........ silly me, I thought it was a movie about abduction by aliens!!