Mysterious Skin

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Mysterious Skin

Released Sep 11, 2004

1h 39m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

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116 Reviews

89%

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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

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Nick Schager

Lessons of Darkness

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

Rated: A-

Nov 28, 2005

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Kathy Fennessy

Seattle Film Blog

This evocative adaptation of Scott Heim's acclaimed novel is an impressive return to form for writer/director Gregg Araki (The Living End, The Doom Generation). More to the point, it's his best film.

Rated: 4/4

Jul 31, 2024

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

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mor c

Que buena pelicula, como para no verla otra vez

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/29/24

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Jonah K

the kind of devastating that leaves you sitting through the entire credits in silence.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/31/24

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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

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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

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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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