Mysterious Skin

Released Sep 11, 2004

1h 39m

Drama

List

86%

Tomatometer

116 Reviews

89%

Audience Score

25,000+ Ratings

One youth (Brady Corbet) becomes obsessed with UFOs, while another (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) becomes a gay hustler in the years following a childhood trauma.

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Critics Consensus

Bold performances and sensitive, spot-on direction make watching this difficult tale of trauma and abuse a thought-provoking, resonant experience.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

The movie sugarcoats nothing, but it doesn't revel in its own darkness either. It sheds a clear, compassionate, illuminating light.

Feb 28, 2018

Full Review

Noel Murray

The Dissolve

[...] For a movie about something as painful as child sexual abuse, Mysterious Skin doesn't repel. There's an allure to the images, which are as carefully posed and framed as figures in a softly illuminated dollhouse.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 17, 2014

Full Review

Nick Schager

Lessons of Darkness

Gordon-Levitt's performance is nothing short of astonishing.

Rated: A-

Nov 28, 2005

Full Review

Trace Thurman

Horror Queers Podcast

A harrowing, but ultimately compassionate film that will stick with you long after the credits roll.

Rated: 4.5/5

May 20, 2024

Full Review

Joe Lipsett

Horror Queers Podcast

Araki's fearless adaptation of Scott Heim's novel is challenging and uncomfortable. Featuring a stand-out performance by Gordon-Levitt and intimate, unflinching close-up camerawork by the writer/director, Mysterious Skin is important and powerful.

Rated: 4.5/5

May 15, 2024

Full Review

D.M. Palmer

Vague Visages

No-one was better equipped to capture the mood of youth coming to terms with a post-9/11 reality.

Nov 9, 2023

Full Review

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Olive

very depressing movie, but a good take on childhood trauma and the different ways people can take it. the cinematography, and characters where very likable.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/20/24

Full Review

Lou M

intéressant, répétition traumatique vs levée d'amnésie sur le même évènement traumatique chez deux garçons différents gordon-levitt en twink miamoum

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/12/24

Full Review

Dionisis T

Unexpectedly good and,in fact it was lovely Joseph Gordon-Levitt was phenomenal in that movie.The plot though it was respectable and the ending was totally expected...

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/29/23

Full Review

Roque Contreras G

Esta película es una expresión del abuso. Lo manejan muy real, sientes tanta ternura que te hace llegar a cuestionarte todo. De verdad es sumamente bella, ya que te sumerge tanto que realmente llegas a entender y comprender a los personajes. La película es sumamente dolorosa, tan hermosa que sientes pena. No tengo palabras para describirla, aún no puedo creer lo enferma que es la gente. También te enseña la vida de algunas personas homosexuales, lo que son los famosos «encuentros». Sinceramente, esta película se merece aplausos por los temas que toco. Aunque la gente no lo admita, esto lo vivimos algunos adolescentes. En mi punto de vista, esta película sería para mayores de 16. Si tienes problemas con los temas que toca la película es mejor que no la veas. Para mí este filme es surreal.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/22/23

Full Review

Timothy D

Mysterious Skin is both captivating and chilling. This film delivers its brutal message with the humanity it deserves and bleeds with silent pain that sinks into acceptance at the end. The direction and acting are perfect, and the plot unfolds like waking from a nightmare only to realize it was true. Mysterious Skin is a masterpiece on a topic that should not exist but unfortunately does. It is truly a special film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/07/23

Full Review

Jonjo O

Such a brilliant movie with an amazing message. I wish this movie got more attention because it is my favorite movie i have ever watched.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/07/23

Full Review

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Gregg Araki

Director

Brady Corbet

Brian Lackey

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Neil McCormick

Michelle Trachtenberg

Wendy

Jeff Licon

Eric Preston

Bill Sage

Coach

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Synopsis

One youth (Brady Corbet) becomes obsessed with UFOs, while another (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) becomes a gay hustler in the years following a childhood trauma.

Director: Gregg Araki
Producer: Gregg Araki, Jeffrey Kusama-Hinte, Mary Jane Skalski
Screenwriter: Gregg Araki, Scott Heim
Distributor: TLA Releasing, Tartan Films USA
Production Co: Fortissimo Film Sales, Desperate Pictures, Antidote Films
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 11, 2004, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): May 6, 2005
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 9, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $697.2K
Runtime: 1h 39m
Sound Mix: Surround

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