UNDER THE SKIN (2014)

Genre: Sci-Fi/Drama
Director: Jonathan Glazer
Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy McWilliams, Lynsey Taylor Mackay
RunTime: 1 hr 48 mins
Rating: R21 (Nudity)
Released By: GV and MVP
Official Website: http://undertheskinmovie.com

Opening Day: 12 June 2014

Synopsis: A voluptuous woman of unknown origin combs the highway in search of isolated or forsaken men, luring a succession of lost souls into an otherworldly lair. They are seduced, stripped of their humanity, and never heard from again.

Movie Review:

What will make you watch this science fiction movie about an alien seductress scouring the lands of Scotlandto prey on men? Two words: Scarlett Johansson.

Well, more so for the male species actually (please note that you have to be 21 years old to catch this film in the theatres) – we don’t know any guy who wasn’t mesmerised by the 29 year old American actress. One of Hollywood’s prominent modern sex symbols, you may remember her as a child actor in Home Alone 3 (1997), before she transited into adult roles in Lost in Translation (2003) and Match Point (2005). Some genius then decided to get Johansson to don a tight leather suit to play Black Widow in the several Marvel movies.

So when you hear that the Golden Globe nominee and BAFTA winner is playing an alien who seduces men in a movie slapped with a R21 rating (with the consumer advice “Nudity”), won’t you have the urge to check out how titillating the film is going to be?

Let’s set thing straight by saying that this 108 minute production isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea. Sure, it does have a synopsis that sounds exciting enough to keep your eyes glued to the screen, but this is no mainstream alien action flick.

This reviewer remembers going gaga over Natasha Henstridge in Species (1995). The actress’ debut role is an alien seductress who mates with human males and then kills them. This is not what you’re going to get with Johansson’s character. Instead, you get weirdly haunting sequences where she walks on a pool of black liquid, while the men she seduces strips and steps towards her excitedly, only to gradually sink into the creepy pool. These sequences are bizarre yet alluring, and may just leave you wanting more. Get an idea of what to expect by watching the trailer embedded above.

There are many uncomfortable moments of silence in this Jonathan Glazer directed feature, which may leave the less patient viewer frustrated (an almost angry comment overheard during this reviewer’s preview screening: “The movie doesn’t make sense after 20 minutes!”). If you aren’t used to long periods of silences, you may want to opt out of this.

Johansson does a decent job of portraying an alien who takes over the body of an attractive woman. She is initially unfeeling of the emotions around her, but slowly (albeit painfully) understanding how it is like to have feelings like a human.

Director Glazer (2000’s Sexy Beast, 2004’s Birth) could have taken the mainstream approach to tell this story based on Michel Faber’s 2000 novel of the same name and employ the usual theatrics, but he has adopted a more artistic style here. There are lingering moments of discomfort, a male character who suffers from facial disfigurement and some less than pleasant sex scenes.

This is probably one question hot blooded male readers have on their minds (if we haven’t lost them already): Do we get to see Johansson’s well endowed assets? No point hiding – the answer is yes. But after the movie’s disturbing images, we aren’t sure whether you’d still be gaping in awe. 

Movie Rating:

(While this disturbingly haunting sci fi movie may not be everyone’s cup of tea, there are moments in the film which are bizarrely and alluringly satisfying)

Review by John Li