Read Mixed User Reviews for Under the Skin

4

EuknowiaJun 30, 2015

A Sci-Fi horror film methodically shot in ways that pay homage to the genres classics, but misses both the lore and revulsion necessary to justify much appraisal. The “fill in the blank” story route seems more ignorant and apathetic thanA Sci-Fi horror film methodically shot in ways that pay homage to the genres classics, but misses both the lore and revulsion necessary to justify much appraisal. The “fill in the blank” story route seems more ignorant and apathetic than artistic or thought provoking. Aliens in human skin is not so revolutionary a concept that it needs much explaining (just examine any politician), but to the degree that Scarlett’s character knew English, how to drive, how to walk, possessed property, rationalized target selection, knew how to seduce, etc., I couldn’t help but wonder what backstory must exist in order for any of that to seem slightly plausible in its fictional world without simultaneously contradicting Scarlett’s jejune character. Alternatively, the poor backstory may have been overlooked if the horror aspect of the film was stronger. Outside of seeing a dude get his organs Criss Angel’d, red goop on a slide (artsay symbologay!!!), babies being Tarzan’d (beginning of crab people?), and perverts, for an alien horror movie this is located fairly low on the terror spectrum. I think it is worth noting that Johanssan’s hidden camera improv was good, but her awkward attitudes manifested in a fairly unnatural or disingenuous way (awkwardly acting awkward-ception). Also, why was nudity a thing? Naked people still= artsy? Seemed more like eye candy for boner grins instead of an honest illustration of on the surface beauty. Overall, certainly not a bad movie, especially for its genre, but personally I did not find it all that great either (less is not always more). Maybe robot instead of alien (perhaps a bit easier to explain)? Illuminati confirmed…… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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5

llamayarmybarAug 7, 2015

I've never been so upset by the last 40 minutes of a film in my life. Compound that with the amount of people literally implying such ridiculous notions as, "you probably just didn't understand everything going on in the film- that's why youI've never been so upset by the last 40 minutes of a film in my life. Compound that with the amount of people literally implying such ridiculous notions as, "you probably just didn't understand everything going on in the film- that's why you didn't like it." No. No I understood what was going on, and it was fairly obvious by about an hour into the film. Up until that hour I was actually enjoying it, I saw it as a sort of abstract thought experiment film that tried to convey the mind of a female serial killer femme fatale- and my goodness realizing what this film WASN'T gonna be about was far more shocking by the time I ultimately reached the miserable ending. You wanna know what obvious imagery they put in this film for people pretentious enough to tell you its a film that involves multiple viewings? Ant on her hand, the ant is human beings! Fly on the glass trying to escape! So is she! This isn't obvious imagery at all! I'm a character that doesn't understand human beings so we'll set the film somewhere in Europe. How about some country where people have a really strong accent! That will make it even more obvious how "alien" Scarlett Johansson's character feels! Scotland? Perfect! Hey lets have a sequence where she completely disregards human life or their safety and totally mislead people in the audience to think, "wow she is totally a psychopath!" This film has disturbing imagery, a nightmarish soundtrack, is immensely suspenseful and all this is immediately ruined by the films sudden desire to commit plot suicide in one of the most contrived, silly, dumb, and poorly written endings that will literally have you wondering why you just waited nearly two hours on a film that ruined its own "twist" only an hour in. If it wasn't obvious from the beginning of the film its only more obvious as it goes on. Which is just abominable and quite frankly could've been pulled off so much better. I'm not accusing the film of being pretentious, but you can't combine a thriller with a Science-fiction twist with the kind of imagery and sequences in this film. It paints the wrong picture for the audience and its very disappointing to both crowds of those particular genres. You want to see Scarlett Johansson nude here and there? Than definitely watch it, however, if you want an E.T. meets Species kind of film you're going to probably want to turn this off, and pick out one or the other- you can't have both anyway- that would just be filthy.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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6

AndreS1974Feb 18, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Long waitings for those who doesn't like sensorial movies (intentionally dragged) or feel it not so absorbing or whatever lest disgusting. The insensibility of Johansson's character by what is typically human is terrifying. Her wanderings stops in a slaughterhouse art-movie, over a syllogism of fragmented images where the black stuff and the annoying sound are the materialization of the Johansson's human emptiness. Maybe once banished, some experiments for feel like humans (eat, sex) come back to her with disgusting aversion and put she lost in the mist of peculiar human nature. Human cognitive world is as annoying to "they" as the plain life for/of some of us. She then tasted be preyed by weird human inhumanity of a sort of men (as the same of her own kind of fellows). Fixing of human skin by other kind of taxidermist, the visitors wrenching out the resemblance of humanity that is present in all men for disguise of some. There is a strong appeal in this experimental movie, cumbersome and disturbing.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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6

netflicApr 27, 2014

If I had to characterize this movie in two words, I would say, artsy and weird.
It's a science fiction movie that takes place in nowadays Scotland.
There is a small number of human-looking aliens that in some way consume humans but they tryIf I had to characterize this movie in two words, I would say, artsy and weird.
It's a science fiction movie that takes place in nowadays Scotland.
There is a small number of human-looking aliens that in some way consume humans but they try to be unnoticeable so they seek lonely people. The female (played by Scarlett Johansson) hunts for lonely but promiscuous men. Being attractive and sexy, she lures them to a remote house and then to their death. Those people are gone but nobody is looking for them. I assume that male aliens are similarly hunting for lonely human females. The movie makes you think what is it to be a human.
Johansson is not only a very attractive woman but a very tented actress as well.
But I do not expect this movie to become a crowd-pleaser.… Expand

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

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5

eljaysonJul 7, 2014

I don't remember the last time I walked out on a movie, even so this is not the case because I saw it all, however never did I have the before the urge of leaving the theater since 30 min in. This might be one of the worst movies I have evenI don't remember the last time I walked out on a movie, even so this is not the case because I saw it all, however never did I have the before the urge of leaving the theater since 30 min in. This might be one of the worst movies I have even seen. If this were 70's sci-fi maybe I'd have given it a pass but now it just passed as pretentious BS. Don't lose your money or time in this.… Expand

7 of 12 users found this helpful75

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4

einsteApr 13, 2014

What a tease! The film presents an enigmatic premise and then drags its feet all the way to the conclusion, without ever letting us in on its secrets. I enjoy a quiet, contemplative movie, but there were so many long empty stretches and soWhat a tease! The film presents an enigmatic premise and then drags its feet all the way to the conclusion, without ever letting us in on its secrets. I enjoy a quiet, contemplative movie, but there were so many long empty stretches and so few details that I found myself without much to contemplate.

There's some great imagery and music, and a few fascinating glimpses of humanity through the eyes of an alien... But I found myself thinking more about the unusual production of the film than the vague narrative. In the end, it felt more like an over-extended short film than a fully-formed feature.… Expand

7 of 12 users found this helpful75

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4

tjsageApr 16, 2014

The film is not very interesting. It is boring to watch as things occur. When you wait until the end to think you have it figured out, you probably won't. It will lead to many discussions about what is was about and what it will lead to. NotThe film is not very interesting. It is boring to watch as things occur. When you wait until the end to think you have it figured out, you probably won't. It will lead to many discussions about what is was about and what it will lead to. Not a very fun film to view. One I will not watch when it make it to cable, or if it makes it.… Expand

4 of 7 users found this helpful43

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5

HeadroomAug 10, 2014

Under the Skin was generally disappointing, but if you don't mind watching a movie that gets really confusing and never explains anything it might fit your taste.

The visual aspects of the film were nice, but the overall composition andUnder the Skin was generally disappointing, but if you don't mind watching a movie that gets really confusing and never explains anything it might fit your taste.

The visual aspects of the film were nice, but the overall composition and artistic direction were mild at best. That said, it did provide some thought provoking perspectives on male and female relations.… Expand

3 of 6 users found this helpful33

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6

Trev29Aug 5, 2014

If you just roll with it, it is intriguing and kind of fun. However, there were just too many moments of sheer nothingness that detracted from this otherwise good movie.

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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4

beingryanjudeSep 4, 2014

I'm left needing something more... despite a masterful performance from Scarlett Johansson. Under the Skin takes a look at an alien taken human form as Scarlett Johansson somewhere in Scotland over the course of a week. That's about allI'm left needing something more... despite a masterful performance from Scarlett Johansson. Under the Skin takes a look at an alien taken human form as Scarlett Johansson somewhere in Scotland over the course of a week. That's about all you'll take away from this one.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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5

clayscottbrownJul 21, 2014

Creepy little movie with a Big Star Scarlett Johansson, she rides around in a Van picking up men then takes them to a weird little shack where they sink and die, like quicksand... it's boring ... and very slow, kind of interesting though...Creepy little movie with a Big Star Scarlett Johansson, she rides around in a Van picking up men then takes them to a weird little shack where they sink and die, like quicksand... it's boring ... and very slow, kind of interesting though... as at the end she sheds her skin as it were....

If you're not an Intellectual you'll hate this...

Based on a book by Michel Faber.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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5

SolidJakeOct 22, 2014

While I was extremely disappointed at the end of the movie, I don't want to give a scathing review. This film is meant to be watched several times. It's meant to be studied, and I didn't study it.

As a work of art, this movie shines. As aWhile I was extremely disappointed at the end of the movie, I don't want to give a scathing review. This film is meant to be watched several times. It's meant to be studied, and I didn't study it.

As a work of art, this movie shines. As a science-fiction movie, this movie fails utterly. The science fiction aspects are cast aside, as if the details are unimportant. Who are they? Where are they from? What are they doing? What do they want? If you're watching the film as a piece of art, the answers don't really matter. But as someone who enjoys science fiction, the film ended prematurely before most of the questions were answered, or in some ways even addressed.

Under The Skin's merit lies almost entirely in its subtle, deeper analysis. As a viewer, we're not expected to enjoy the movie without a considerable amount of effort on our part. This is not to say that all movies should spoon-feed a plot to the viewer, but I think there is a healthy balance between story-telling and allegory, and this film seems miss that happy medium.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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4

RaygirlJul 17, 2014

This was one of the worst Sci Fi movies I have seen, and I LOVE Sci Fi! I waited for months for this to come out on DVD because it wasn't playing anywhere around where I live, and now I know why. I gave it a 4 instead of a 2 only because ofThis was one of the worst Sci Fi movies I have seen, and I LOVE Sci Fi! I waited for months for this to come out on DVD because it wasn't playing anywhere around where I live, and now I know why. I gave it a 4 instead of a 2 only because of Scarlett J. She is the only good part of the movie because she is so beautiful and sexy (so if you are a Scarlett fan it is worth seeing). It seemed like the slow, dreary pace would all be worth it when it explained itself in the end, but this movie didn't even try to, which made me angry for wasting my time on it. I do like odd, cultish movies (like Rocky Horror Picture Show , John Waters movies, etc.) but this really missed the mark. If the ending had wrapped things up, I could have forgiven the slow pace and often boring scenes, but it didn't. A horrible, very disappointing ending for several reasons.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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6

LeZeeDec 14, 2016

The lady from the white van.

First of all, this is not an entertaining film, but an alien theme on a fictional plot like how they would come live among us. Before that, they need to look like us, so they steal human skins and that's whatThe lady from the white van.

First of all, this is not an entertaining film, but an alien theme on a fictional plot like how they would come live among us. Before that, they need to look like us, so they steal human skins and that's what this film is about. Most of the film was in a van driving around in the Scottland. An alien disguised as a human, looking for the single men in the uncrowded places to seduce and steal their skins. But one day after got curious about being a human being, her routine work gets affected seriously and so what happens to her after is told in the remaining film.

It's certainly not the film I was looking for. That's the reason I did not watch it when it got out. But I kind of liked it, it was not as boring as the others advised me. Usually films are for pleasure and timepass and this film did not have those qualities. Hence it financially failed. Surely some people would enjoy it, particularly the critics praised it which is unusual.

From the director of 'Birth', Scarlett Johansson in the lead and she was the only good thing in it. The story was a little complicated, so not everybody going the get it, not at the first glance, but if you do, you will enjoy it. The locations were awesome. Watching it on the cold stormy day brought me that original Scottish atmosphere here. I should have rated it better, but no regret for what I gave for it. Its not a suggestible kind, though worth a watch if you're fed up with the regular commercial films.

6/10… Expand