When I bought In my Skin I didn't really know that the whole film was about self-harming and self-mutilation (they both mean the same thing, but it makes me sound cleverer!) I thought it was about a woman who gets something supernatural in her skin, a bit like the killer vines in The Ruins and it was taking over her body and she had to get it out etc. If I had known that In my Skin was about self-harming then I would've been more hesitant about buying it, because I can deal with bodies being dismembered and gallons of blood, but I can't deal with relatable things like cuts and stuff. I cringe at the blood sample scene in The Thing for Christ's sake and I nearly die at that wrist-cutting scene in Martyrs! So what would I be like in this? Well I didn't turn away (I paid for it, so I'm watching it!) but I did cringe. A lot! By the end of it I felt so tense and there was a lot of face scrunching and bloated cheeks. I find it hard to think of a film more cringeier if I'm honest!
However, if you can deal with self-mutilation then you won't find In My Skin too repellent (if you don't find any of it repellent then you need serious help). I found In My Skin to be a profoundly interesting film. However, I could also see why people would find it boring and repetitive because I would've liked to have seen perhaps a stronger narrative. But in terms of a character study, In my Skin is superb! I just can't help but think that it could've been better if it balanced intense character study with engaging plot like Black Swan did so tremendously well. Having said that In My Skin is extremely involving as the camera never leaves our main character (Esther). It follows her around in a mostly hand-held style so that we really get inside her head and for the most part it is really interesting.
There are some quite astonishing moments and I quite liked the way in which it lingered on her self-mutilation because it gave it a disturbingly realistic edge and also conveyed how significant these events are to her. The restaurant scene is a particular stand-out moment as it mixes realism with surrealism so that we really get deep inside Esther's head. I found it clever how everyone's talking, but Esther's not listening and neither are we (well reading). We're as transfixed to her body as she is. Another stand-out moment of directing is the use of split screen towards the end, as we get that horrible oppressive feeling which Esther must feel too.
There's a fantastic sense of a downward spiral and I really like that sort of thing when a character goes on a journey from being normal and ending up as a complete wreck, which is what Darren Aronofsky does so incredibly well. Obviously, In My Skin isn't as fantastic as Aronofsky, but it is a highly memorable and psychologically intense piece of work. The Marina lady who wrote, directed and starred is clearly a talented woman because she does all three tremendously well, although she could do with a slight push in the writing area. In My Skin leaves you feeling filthy which is what a good horror film should do! It's yet another example of superior French horror and shows that they really do know the real meaning of fear.
Although In My Skin may not be as great as other French works such as Calvaire, Inside and Martyrs. It is still a highly thought-provoking and brave film which dares to go where many people don't have the guts to. The intense character development makes the film quite gripping and you end up feeling quite attached to Esther despite her monstrous behaviour, because it's obvious that she's normal at heart, or at least used to be normal. In My Skin is a tragedy in the end and it's full of emotion and directional flourish. It's also one of the cringiest films I've ever seen. I'd recommend it for the brave.
However, if you can deal with self-mutilation then you won't find In My Skin too repellent (if you don't find any of it repellent then you need serious help). I found In My Skin to be a profoundly interesting film. However, I could also see why people would find it boring and repetitive because I would've liked to have seen perhaps a stronger narrative. But in terms of a character study, In my Skin is superb! I just can't help but think that it could've been better if it balanced intense character study with engaging plot like Black Swan did so tremendously well. Having said that In My Skin is extremely involving as the camera never leaves our main character (Esther). It follows her around in a mostly hand-held style so that we really get inside her head and for the most part it is really interesting.
There are some quite astonishing moments and I quite liked the way in which it lingered on her self-mutilation because it gave it a disturbingly realistic edge and also conveyed how significant these events are to her. The restaurant scene is a particular stand-out moment as it mixes realism with surrealism so that we really get deep inside Esther's head. I found it clever how everyone's talking, but Esther's not listening and neither are we (well reading). We're as transfixed to her body as she is. Another stand-out moment of directing is the use of split screen towards the end, as we get that horrible oppressive feeling which Esther must feel too.
There's a fantastic sense of a downward spiral and I really like that sort of thing when a character goes on a journey from being normal and ending up as a complete wreck, which is what Darren Aronofsky does so incredibly well. Obviously, In My Skin isn't as fantastic as Aronofsky, but it is a highly memorable and psychologically intense piece of work. The Marina lady who wrote, directed and starred is clearly a talented woman because she does all three tremendously well, although she could do with a slight push in the writing area. In My Skin leaves you feeling filthy which is what a good horror film should do! It's yet another example of superior French horror and shows that they really do know the real meaning of fear.
Although In My Skin may not be as great as other French works such as Calvaire, Inside and Martyrs. It is still a highly thought-provoking and brave film which dares to go where many people don't have the guts to. The intense character development makes the film quite gripping and you end up feeling quite attached to Esther despite her monstrous behaviour, because it's obvious that she's normal at heart, or at least used to be normal. In My Skin is a tragedy in the end and it's full of emotion and directional flourish. It's also one of the cringiest films I've ever seen. I'd recommend it for the brave.