Here’s Why You Need To See Under The Skin This Weekend

Scarlett Johansson stars in this creepy alien flick

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by Jess Commons |
Published on

What is it? Jonathan Glazer (Sexy Beast’s) new film about aliens that come to Scotland.

Erm right. What? It’s based on Michel Faber’s 2000 novel that sees a rich corporation on a different planet send an alien to earth to prey on lonely men for their meat to be sent back home.

Nice. Who’s in it? Scarlett Johansson, and erm, not really anyone else. Although Paul Brannigan does do a fantastic turn as the earnest drunk guy you never want to meet in a club (but inevitably always do).

So Scar Jo’s the alien? Yep. She lures men back to her dingy flat, gets them all hot and bothered (quite visibly – get ready for a slew of erect penises), before allowing them to sink into the pool she stores them in until they’re mined for their meat.

Sounds, grim… Grim, but beautiful. A scene between two of the captured men in the pool is one of the most spectacularly horrific things you’ll ever see. And it’s made all the more poignant by the agonising sound effects that we’re still hearing in our head after we turn the lights out.

Ergh, so is it scary? Not really, just more grotesque, but not in blood and guts way, more in a weird and wonderful way. It’s also isn't massively visually forgiving when it comes to Glasgow and it's residents.

What are people saying? 'Glazer’s astonishing film takes you to a place where the everyday becomes suddenly strange, and fear and seduction become one and the same. You stare at the screen, at once entranced and terrified, and step forward into the slick. if my legs hadn’t been so wobbly and my mouth so dry, I would have climbed up on my seat and cheered.' Robbie Collin, The Telegraph

What we're saying GO. Go and see this film. It's already been out a week and people haven't stopped talking about it yet. It’s set to become a cult classic of modern times in the same way that Drive and Donnie Darko have. The narrative might lag a little bit towards the end but stick with it for a horrifying final scene that’ll leave you questioning stuff for days. This is a total masterpiece.

Follow Jess on Twitter @jess_commons

This article originally appeared on The Debrief.

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