I decided to write this post to add another point of view from @happybeau's perspective. Indeed is a sick movie, reminds me a little to Martyrs or the new one Raw, with a little of Almodovar's touch of color and strong personalities, plus a beautiful soundtrack. During the whole movie you carry on this feeling that something is wrong with the characters and the film itself, but, i had a great feeling at the end of it. This film is about accepting yourself as you are, as skin is just a light part that cover your real personality. There are grotesque characters, wrapped in a handsome face, or there are people that suffer, and claim their space in a society that rejects them. At the end, you can be free if you accept yourself, and i think this is what the movie tells. I'm really happy Netflix took the risky step to display this movie among some other ones. Their catalog can be quite inconsistent, with some of the worst movies i can even remember (Nicolas Cage, Adam Sandler, please stop making films!!), but with Pieles, i think it gives the correct step in order to include some not so-known movies that can please a big audience that are seeking for something aside, out from the commercial stream. Still, i don't think is a great movie, but is different, and nowadays, that is a positive point, given the mediocre level we are advocating to.
33 Reviews
Deformed
kosmasp11 September 2017
Let's just say that if you only want to see beautiful people and beautiful stories and beautiful things - this isn't the movie to watch for you. Some may find it tasteless others may see that he gives groups of people a voice and a face (no pun intended). It's anything but an easy watch and you should be aware of that.
The director is known for provoking and going places (I've seen the bath short he did, which is quite "out there" and also explicit). So you've been warned, if you watch this through, you made that choice, to watch a couple of people who are mostly frowned upon by society, through no fault of their own ... Shedding some light to those topics should be recommended
The director is known for provoking and going places (I've seen the bath short he did, which is quite "out there" and also explicit). So you've been warned, if you watch this through, you made that choice, to watch a couple of people who are mostly frowned upon by society, through no fault of their own ... Shedding some light to those topics should be recommended
i had this on when eating breakfast...
ops-5253510 March 2021
And i will not recommend it when the absurdity leaves the hinges. its a film about differentness, the peculiarities in life and the peculiarity to love itself normal or not, and its the peculiarities in the soup of thymine, guanine, cytosine and adenine e.g the code of life that becomes a mess of knots and cracks, and all kind of peculiarities that reach the daylight of the world as deformatists and freaks. babies without eyes, with 7 and 8 fingers hands, and even without a mouth, its not all fantasy, and this review goes to all the parents and individuals out there that has encountered crisies like this...i admire you all.
so its a film that moves toward the brink of absurdity, its a well made film with 5 stories sliding along the ever so prudent and psychedelicly made interiors, the choice of colours and score makes you feel uneasy, and the make up department has gone pretty bananas. the actors who are star models beside acting do a great job trying. i was convinced and cried along their painful path of life, it maybe one of a kind, and the nearest i come comparing new films ,must be swedish film called ''graens''.
in norway we sing a song written by alf prøysen called '' i bakvendtland'' or translateed into broken english ''in the opposite land'' maybe a good description of the serendipity of being... you will not regret a watch thinks the grumpy old man
so its a film that moves toward the brink of absurdity, its a well made film with 5 stories sliding along the ever so prudent and psychedelicly made interiors, the choice of colours and score makes you feel uneasy, and the make up department has gone pretty bananas. the actors who are star models beside acting do a great job trying. i was convinced and cried along their painful path of life, it maybe one of a kind, and the nearest i come comparing new films ,must be swedish film called ''graens''.
in norway we sing a song written by alf prøysen called '' i bakvendtland'' or translateed into broken english ''in the opposite land'' maybe a good description of the serendipity of being... you will not regret a watch thinks the grumpy old man
skin can change, skin can transform, appearance is nothing.
LenaKrones8 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
This movie is strange, uncomfortable, awkward, powerful and meaningful.
I think a lot of people missed the plot, i've read comments saying this was a pro-pedophilia movie (which is insulting and completely misses the point), as I see it, the deformed physical appearances we see in the movie, what society calls monsters, are just an interpretation of our poor judgment based on nothing but first impressions, the real monsters exist within, take the pedophile for example, he is a normal looking man but is the WORST MONSTER of all.
This movie portrays society in a brutal way through a breathtakingly beautiful and artistic photography and camera work, it makes the viewer enter a place where the dream and nightmare are divided by a very thin very defused line and that makes the viewer uncomfortable.
I would totally recommend this film to an open minded, observant and curious movie lover.
I think a lot of people missed the plot, i've read comments saying this was a pro-pedophilia movie (which is insulting and completely misses the point), as I see it, the deformed physical appearances we see in the movie, what society calls monsters, are just an interpretation of our poor judgment based on nothing but first impressions, the real monsters exist within, take the pedophile for example, he is a normal looking man but is the WORST MONSTER of all.
This movie portrays society in a brutal way through a breathtakingly beautiful and artistic photography and camera work, it makes the viewer enter a place where the dream and nightmare are divided by a very thin very defused line and that makes the viewer uncomfortable.
I would totally recommend this film to an open minded, observant and curious movie lover.
One of a kind
sergicaballeroalsina19 July 2018
Taking Freaks (1932) and The Elephant Man (1980) as starting point, Eduardo Casanova's debut runs essentially in a very superficial way: A set of scenes remarkable for their delicacy in the composition and for the joy of pink, comprises a "late baroqueer" Cabinet of Curiosities.
It's a movie with a very bold language that talks about desire and suffering, loneliness, about what is erotic and what disgusting, about the monstrosity in the meaning and shape.
About accepting oneself and the right to replace our limits with new ones. The contradictions that produced the subjectivity of beauty.
"You're only interested in the way I look" says one of the female characters. In this context it is a brilliant paradox.
Superficial, I said, and frivolous: Very Louis XV style. But no superfluous. The dramatic central dialogues give depth and direction to the film. Its non-correct spirit and daring language make it one of a kind.
Love is deformed
eagandersongil6 May 2017
The first film by Eduardo Casanova, accustomed to directing short films - of excellent qualities - the young director makes a great short in his first feature. Portraying a group of people, where all suffer from some type of deformity, whether physically or psychologically, we have a woman with the anus instead of the mouth, a man who has the dream of cutting his legs to become a mermaid, a prostitute with Skin, instead of the eyes passing through a pedophile man, another who feels attraction to the deformity of others, and even the man who puts his gain ahead of life, "Skins" beats everyone and exposes the human deformity in the most explicit way possible by doing Viewer to reflect on that deformity of character that we all crave. The script that tries to emulate a kind of magnolia of taste I very much doubt - and with 2 hours less - exactly in its duration, with less than an hour and a half of duration, the developments of the characters is completely impaired, we have only a broad idea , Where each character will have its story developed in ten minutes with some interconnections between them, technically, Eduardo Casanova lavishes talent, with an extremely cold photograph and symmetrical angles, his frame remembers names like Wes Anderson, always appealing to the color pink, his Costume is remarkable as its soundtrack, full of Spanish songs that go from this to pop to erudite, its makeup is also great, its perfect rhythm, technically the film really pleases a lot, Casanova had a lot of freedom, better to accompany the young director in his Upcoming work, talent we already have. Finally, "Pieles" is a nice film despite being deplorable, we have the aesthetic symmetry supported the complete bizarre of "extreme cinema" we have a heavy message shown in an even heavier way, we have many problems, it is true, as much performances Weak, little development, and little screen time, we have many great ideas, but little time to develop, but finally, it is a film of cinema and for those who love art.
A potentially decent film hurt by it's inconsistent tone
emilnoergaardnielsen16 April 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Skins is by all means not a movie for the sensitive or faint of hearted. It tackles many taboo subjects like pedophilia, mental illness and sexual kinks. My initial perception of the movie was that it was a very different, daring and different type of subject matter than what many directors, are typically willing to engage. That perception changed when one particular character was introduced. The introduction of the character "Samantha", a character who's disability consists of her anus and mouth having switched places. This very grotesque and over the top character very much ruins the tone that the other characters previously established. Ignoring that major flaw in the movie, I very much enjoyed the rest of the characters and their individual story lines. The tone and image of the movie is very different and abstract, and I'm sure the movie has a lot of visual symbolism that one won't pick up on, on one's first watch. Overall, the movie presents itself very differently, than what it ends up actually being. I will recommend the movie for people looking for a quick, morbid, thrill, but don't expect too much.
I rate the movie 4/10.
I rate the movie 4/10.
And I thought I've seen it all
owjan-459794 September 2020
Not as bad as it seems
lucyzweers-372558 September 2022
I've seen reviews of this movie everywhere, and they're all the same. "Most uncomfortable movie ever" "Don't watch this while eating" "Disturbing". I'm honestly baffled. I would pay to see those people watch Midsommar lol.
Anyway, I thought it was quite a beautiful movie. It shows the lives of people with a physical disability and how society sees them. Yes, it's cruel, but the ending is wholesome and satisfying. I wouldn't say it's a very good movie, but I will say it's a beautiful one.
Maybe I've just seen too many disturbing movies but this one was quite vanilla in my opinion. However, I get where people are coming from. The implied pedophilia wasn't necessarily pleasant, and I get that mentions of self harm and suicide can be shocking to some viewers. But on the other hand, without it, the movie wouldn't have the same weight. So overall, I feel like they made a good decision putting subjects like that in it.
I don't know if I'll recommend this movie to anyone, but I wouldn't advice against it. 6/10.
Anyway, I thought it was quite a beautiful movie. It shows the lives of people with a physical disability and how society sees them. Yes, it's cruel, but the ending is wholesome and satisfying. I wouldn't say it's a very good movie, but I will say it's a beautiful one.
Maybe I've just seen too many disturbing movies but this one was quite vanilla in my opinion. However, I get where people are coming from. The implied pedophilia wasn't necessarily pleasant, and I get that mentions of self harm and suicide can be shocking to some viewers. But on the other hand, without it, the movie wouldn't have the same weight. So overall, I feel like they made a good decision putting subjects like that in it.
I don't know if I'll recommend this movie to anyone, but I wouldn't advice against it. 6/10.
couldn't take my eyes from it
pelzco19 April 2017
a movie that seems to come from a similar but different world... the colours, the weird and beautiful pictures playing around with the soundtrack, the body positivity message, the tragic, the darkest dephts of human desires, the laughter that sometimes gets stuck in your throat... this movie has everything. if you're looking for something that touches you in 51 shades from pink to deep dark soul black, this is your movie. no scene is everage. i couldn't stop getting enough of it. for all those shiny perfect body/faces/etc. movies (with one fat/gay funny friend for the laughs) this film is the electrifying antipode.
btw, i do not had the feeling this movie glorifies child molestation at all (what another user found). in my opinion it wants to show how cruel the world is - and in the other hand - how beautiful it can be.
btw, i do not had the feeling this movie glorifies child molestation at all (what another user found). in my opinion it wants to show how cruel the world is - and in the other hand - how beautiful it can be.
Give it a chance
ToxicJug19 December 2020
If you know anything about this film, you may be instantly turned away for thinking that its too odd or over the top which it definitely is. But, behind this very bizarre movie is an artistic film with good acting, beautiful aesthetics, and a meaningful story. While definitely not for the average viewer, this is a movie that I belive should be given more of chance to be seen for what it actually is an odd yet somehow beautiful film both aestheticly and story wise.
Unwatchable
babii-charl10 January 2021
Well that was different!
debandbo30 December 2020
Fun quirky dark comedy
Horror_Flick_Fanatic29 November 2020
I have some mixed feelings about this film
manarhazem-951355 May 2022
First of all I don't recommend watching this film while eating, you won't be happy at all.
Great writing, great acting, but I can't get over the weirdness of the story .
It was uncomfortable move that's why I gave it 6.
Great writing, great acting, but I can't get over the weirdness of the story .
It was uncomfortable move that's why I gave it 6.
Failed provocation
PyroDiva10 July 2022
The good things about this movie are the cinematography and premise. It kept eyes on the screen throughout the runtime. But ultimately this has nothing to say while acting like it does. Zero of the characters are developed and the director clearly doesn't care about them either. For something that covers itself in a message of inclusivity and looking beyond superficiality, it is all surface-level. It's a carny show that wants the laughter to come from looking at these ridiculous freaks. That's what most of the jokes are here, not humor from situations and societally accepted weirdness in response to deformity; just the deformities and their ridiculousness.
For something with John Waters' queerness, Yorgos Lanthimos' wide soulless environments, and Lynchian characters/makeup, you'd hope for something that capitalizes on where all these tones meet.
The music was a very poor choice. Classical, 'refined' songs over gross, mundane imagery. How original. A film with this focused a look-this hyper-saturated, wide angled and cartoony-grotesque world--needs a wacky and original soundtrack. A lot of personality and humor lost.
The Greasy Strangler is a film that I'd say goes for the same tone. It's much better and has an original soundtrack to match its weird, offputting imagery.
In the end it leaves me feeling empty, really nothing to dwell on or be disturbed or provoked by. A loud garish statement that ends up as vanilla an experience as it comes.
For something with John Waters' queerness, Yorgos Lanthimos' wide soulless environments, and Lynchian characters/makeup, you'd hope for something that capitalizes on where all these tones meet.
The music was a very poor choice. Classical, 'refined' songs over gross, mundane imagery. How original. A film with this focused a look-this hyper-saturated, wide angled and cartoony-grotesque world--needs a wacky and original soundtrack. A lot of personality and humor lost.
The Greasy Strangler is a film that I'd say goes for the same tone. It's much better and has an original soundtrack to match its weird, offputting imagery.
In the end it leaves me feeling empty, really nothing to dwell on or be disturbed or provoked by. A loud garish statement that ends up as vanilla an experience as it comes.
a fearless funny movie that tackles many topics that are difficult to confront in a unique and intelligent way
framptonhollis8 February 2018
2017 was a fantastic year for weird movies. While the blockbusters kept coming and often were unsurprisingly mediocre and uninteresting, many genius projects slipped between cinematic cracks and have leaked themselves into the consciences of extreme cinephiles like myself. As a person who normally considers themselves to be a semi-reasonable individual, it is essential for me to point out that most people will probably hate this movie...and for good enough reason. It can be repulsive and largely focuses on topics that are extremely disturbing (ex: pedophilia, rape, suicide, depression, incest, & plenty more) to intentionally shock the viewer...but, despite all of this and whatever other slight problems I may have with the film, I believe it to be a masterpiece...a masterpiece that I cannot actually recommend to anyone unless I am SURE this is the sort of movie they can a) handle, b) finish watching, and c) be at least somewhat entertained by for around half its runtime at the very most. Not many people will fall under all three categories, but I certainly do! To me, the dark comedy at work here is on par with the likes of Todd Solondz and John Waters, which is to say that it is transgressive, "black as night on a moonless night" (as Agent Cooper would put it), and absurd to the max while still containing some sort of truth and sense to it. Most of the film's elements do have a genuine purpose, whether it be injected with a bit of shock value or not, and the film also is heavily emotional. I cried at multiple little points throughout it, and my heart was surprisingly touched by the end. This film does not necessarily glorify any of its characters and the abhorrent things they may do or say, but it certainly gives everyone at least one moment of sympathy and/or understanding, which I believe to be an often essential trait that is prevalent in many of the films I hold near and dear to my heart, and while it does feel strange to call a film of this shocking, disgusting, and disturbing variety as such, I must admit that, as of now, "Skins" is certainly a film that is near and dear to my heart, It probably won't really be to yours, though. Just a warning.
Weird and unorthodox!
santoshambekar1930 December 2020
I stumbled upon this movie on Netflix recommendation from one of the Facebook group! Was definitely expecting some weird stuff and was not left disappointed!
The movie is really weird and different.
The movie revolves around few deformed characters who live their lives in difficulties amidst the existing world expecting someone will love them unconditionally without judging their skins.
If you like watching weird movies then just watch it!
Meaning gets lost
natalierose-9512021 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This movie is so strange and so many things are done just for shock. Its strange and so many of the oddities simply have no meaning. Why does the mermaid guy sit on a rock at the end with fish falling around him? Why is the pedo man just there to move along the story with no real development? Why is the lady with the melty face so mad the burn victim is getting plastic surgery that would improve his quality of life? Why does a lady have a butthole for a mouth? They had her rape scene just to show off her 'mouth'. So much of it is just added with no real meaning. And why do we need to see everyone half naked at some point? Its so absurdly stupid.
Fantastic movie!!!
nia20628 April 2017
This movie is so very unique, special and strange in some way, but very deep if you can understand it. I enjoyed it very much! I love, love Spanish movies because they are so different from others. They present a whole new perspective and meaning of every day life, people, and situation. I would recommend this movie to everyone, especially to people who are attracted and triggered to something UNUSUAL...
SINOPSIS: "Our body determine how we develop ourselves in society, even if we chose it or didn't choose it. SKINS tells the story of misshapen people who force themselves to hide, stay under the radar or connect between them..
Yea: Director Eduardo Casanova has a great talent...possess a very creative mind and sharp eye...I am looking forward to see more of his work...he is one of my TOP 10 movie director!!!
SINOPSIS: "Our body determine how we develop ourselves in society, even if we chose it or didn't choose it. SKINS tells the story of misshapen people who force themselves to hide, stay under the radar or connect between them..
Yea: Director Eduardo Casanova has a great talent...possess a very creative mind and sharp eye...I am looking forward to see more of his work...he is one of my TOP 10 movie director!!!
Grossed out throughout the film but it does have a message......kinda.
lawrencelawrence8627 December 2020
This film shows the lives and struggles of some different individuals, I assume it is to show how some people with differences feel in this world, be it done in an extreme way. I don't think it was truly effective in its message, if there was one, but it was worth watching just for the experience.
The penultimate anti-feel-good film.
IndridC0ld4 October 2021
This film is like taking a poop where no matter how many times you wipe, the toilet paper still shows brown. It's just really unpleasant in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable long after the credits. Imagine watching two little girls in their "Sunday best, wrestling in a kiddie pool filled with human waste, and that's the kind of feeling this film evokes. I don't give many 1 star reviews, but this film definitely has it coming.
Nonsense and lacking of meaning
ItsMeKreepy22 January 2021
We are Freaks
MarcoGallo979 December 2017
Eduardo Casanova directs a film as grandiose as it is simple and enjoyable.The photograph of this film makes sure that the viewer can not take his eyes off the screen. The colors and the freshness of the images proposed by the director are the background to a story with freaks, marginalized people living on the margins of society.Each character presented in the film is well characterized and diversified by others. Casanova does not just tell about those who have a different and particular appearance, but adds to the story characters with disturbances, perverts and mentalities different from the rest of the mass.The ideal of normality is thus deconstructed, showing people with a "normal" appearance with mental deviations and "freaks" with "normal" mentality, thus destroying the Manichaean vision of those who think that the right and wrong in nature exist.
Didn't know what to expect
nicci19726 February 2021
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