However, I will say that it’s clear from what transpires at this point is integral to understanding what the point of the film is – that is, it’s pretty obvious from this point on that the film is an allegorical story about the effects of human trafficking and prostitution on those who find themselves caught up in this horrific underground industry. The second half of the film is something that’s tough to discuss without completely spoiling it, so I’ll refrain from talking about plot elements from this time onward and try to stick mostly to the abstracts. (Minor spoiler alert!) This all changes, however, when she has a chance encounter with a man with a deformity and empathy apparently begins to take hold in her.

“Laura,” for the most part, is apparently emotionless about this, only showing signs of personality when she’s putting on an act. She continues to do this for some time, and with each victim, we see more of what occurs to them after they make their way into the abyss. And then, for “Laura,” it’s off to find the next victim. Things really get weird after the seduction begins, however, when the men, lured by the increasingly naked woman in front of them, blindly wade into a liquid abyss from which they never return. Next, she is wearing the woman’s clothes, dolling herself up at the mall, and going about in a van, hitting on any guy who is willing to help her out or who is themselves in need of a ride. When we first see her, she is nude and undressing a dead woman who was fetched for her from the bank of a river or lake by a man on a motorcycle. We first meet her first as a voice, seemingly practicing vocalizations as one would imagine an actor or singer would before a performance. Yeah, I told you – it sounds pretty weird. I don’t mean for that to sound snooty or anything, but it’s kind of true – this is a bizarre but arresting film that’s told through lots of strange and/or confusingly beautiful images and as little dialogue as possible without being a silent film, and the matter of fact way in which the film presents is unique premise will leave some put off if they’re not prepared or willing to accept what is happening and still let the film take them deeper into the world of “Laura,” an alien in a beautiful human woman’s body who patrols the streets of Scotland ensnaring men to take back to her lair.

Under the Skin is one of those weird art films that apparently will perplex most, bore many, and leave only some at varying levels of admiration for the film. Directed by: Jonathan Glazer Produced by: James Wilson, Nick Wechsler Written by: Walter Campbell, Jonathan Glazer (screenplay) Edited by: Paul Watts Cinematography by: Daniel Landin Music by: Mica Levi Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy McWilliams, Adam Pearson, Joe Szula, Kryštof Hádek, Paul Brannigan, Michael Moreland, Dave Acton, Jessica Mance Based on the novel by Michel Faber Year: 2013

Michel faber under the skin review