Skinamarink

IFC Midnight | Release Date: January 13, 2023

5.1	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 56 Ratings

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JLuis_001Jan 13, 2023

A primal fear. The darkness. Pulsating, absorbing, patient, just waiting to devour you. It or what awaits you buried inside of it. Who has not been afraid of it? Especially in childhood, which is one of the points of this turbulent journey.A primal fear. The darkness. Pulsating, absorbing, patient, just waiting to devour you. It or what awaits you buried inside of it. Who has not been afraid of it? Especially in childhood, which is one of the points of this turbulent journey. Skinamarink was quite an interesting but not necessarily satisfying experience.
This is an experimental horror film. It's almost 100 minutes of images and sounds that are meant to look and feel like a nightmare that seems to have no end or escape, so I have to tell you right away that if you're into the conventional, don't even bother because you're going to be bored out of your mind, but if you want to delve into a different kind of creepy, this is the stuff right here. And yes it's too long, and yes, it can be called pretentious, but this is the kind of movie that separates audiences at the extremes. They either hate it or love it. Who will you be?… Expand

4 of 7 users found this helpful43

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bertobellamyMay 11, 2023

This should have stayed as a short film. It has some creepy images, but no way it will keep you hooked for 100 minutes. Yes, we always complain about horror films not trying new things; ‘Skinamarink’ does, but its radical and minimalistThis should have stayed as a short film. It has some creepy images, but no way it will keep you hooked for 100 minutes. Yes, we always complain about horror films not trying new things; ‘Skinamarink’ does, but its radical and minimalist approach proves somewhat boring. Nevertheless, the way the film makes you imagine or interpret things during some scenes is rarely seen in the genre, and for that alone, it deserves to be seen. Fewer floor and ceiling pointless shots would have suited it better.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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OctaneNitroJul 15, 2023

After seeing the hype for Skinamarink, I truly wanted to enjoy it. A modern horror classic, combining elements of low-fi and analogue horror in an innovative way? Sign me up!

Unfortunately, my actual impressions were... mixed. On one hand, IAfter seeing the hype for Skinamarink, I truly wanted to enjoy it. A modern horror classic, combining elements of low-fi and analogue horror in an innovative way? Sign me up!

Unfortunately, my actual impressions were... mixed. On one hand, I can definitely see why so many people enjoy it. The film's use of silence and grainy, shadowy footage genuinely evokes the feeling of childhood fears and nightmares, and several scenes are unbearably tense knowing the horrors that could be lurking just beyond view. The visuals of a familiar, childhood home, gradually morphing into a hostile, pitch-black prison are extremely effective.

On the other hand, (and there is simply no way around this), the movie is empty and extremely long for what is actually there. Without any hyperbole, for every minute you'll spend watching actual horror or sitting with baited breath, you'll spend five staring at TVs, ceilings, and empty hallways, as the constant drone of static literally puts you to sleep. This is an experimental, indie project that simply did not need a 100 minute runtime - thirty minutes of content (or even enough to take the runtime under an hour) could be removed with essentially nothing of substance being lost.

Additionally, by the end of the film, the heavy use of static and VHS effects were actually hurting my eyes from the strain of following the events on screen - though I admit this is a personal gripe. The bigger issue from this is the film's simultaneous effective and ineffective use of darkness: so much is obscured, and difficult to visualise, that I wish something had actually been hidden there to reward our attention. In Skinamarink, a black wall of static is just that 99% of the time, which makes you wonder why these effects are so heavy and so constant to begin with.

Ultimately, whether you'll enjoy Skinamarink will likely come down to personal preference. If you're able to look past the flaws and enjoy the positives on offer, you'll come away equal parts terrified and refreshed. But if not, the effectiveness of those positives will almost certainly be diluted.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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MathiasBSFeb 25, 2023

Dont watch this if you have ADHD. It requires an absurd amount of attention, because it’s incredibly slow and minimalist.

If you struggle to stay focused this is not for you

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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MalwareLordMay 27, 2023

Alright Unique Experience Alright Unique Experience Alright Unique Experience

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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