Under the Skin is experimental. Its extreme showing-without-telling might be confusing, repetitive, or pretentious to viewers looking for a traditional story. However, this unique approach embodies its alien perspective, providing refreshing depth to its existential themes. Ideas of beauty, humanity, loneliness, identity, sexuality, empathy, and brutality are unpacked in brand new lights. There's a pronounced yet earned arc anchored by Johansson's fearless physicality, layers, internalization, spontaneity, subtle evolution, and intimacy. Thus, it's a puzzle worth solving. Despite feeling cold or even incoherent, Under the Skin is packed with ambitious thoughts and haunting mysteries.
Technically, Under the Skin is unified, metaphorical, and subconscious. The observant imagery uses lighting, symbols, angles, POVs, textures, and composition. Its patient editing utilizes dissolves, hypnotic pacing, and contrast. The sound has split cuts, silence, diegetics, stings, smash cuts, and subjectivity. Its music is discordant, intense, unsettling, atmospheric, thematic, and strange. The abstract yet unadorned production design adds colors, minimalism, and surrealism. Its cast surrounds Johansson with unfamiliar faces. The unusual effects offer stunts, blood, prosthetics, fire, and CGI. Overall, Under the Skin is polarizing but rewards those who embrace its avant-garde nature.
Writing: 8/10
Direction: 10/10
Cinematography: 9/10
Acting: 9/10
Editing: 9/10
Sound: 8/10
Score/Soundtrack: 10/10
Production Design: 8/10
Casting: 8/10
Effects: 8/10
Overall Score: 8.7/10
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