The Skin I Live In

With The Skin I Live In, Pedro Almodóvar has achieved another cinematic feat. Intelligent, original and disturbing, this thriller drama comes across and it is suggested to any interested viewer to let as little as possible be revealed about the content. After all, even if the film's big surprise can be guessed at a certain point, the actual reveal is only really effective when you're in the dark for as long as possible.

Therefore, only this much should be revealed at this point: After his wife is burned to death in a car accident, genius plastic surgeon Dr. Robert Ledgard (Antonio Banderas) does everything he can to create artificial skin tough enough to survive a fire like the one that killed his wife. Secluded in his luxurious home, Robert, with the help of his loyal housekeeper Marilia (Marisa Paredes), has been working for years on his test subject, the beautiful Vera (Elena Anaya), who, after all the surgeries, looks just like Robert's late wife. Every move Vera makes is closely monitored and she always remains locked in her room. This is because no one is supposed to know about the research and secret operations Robert is performing in his home. But when Marilia's son turns up at the house one evening on the run from the police, events take a dramatic turn.

The Skin I Live In is already kind of a sick movie - but in this particular case, that should be taken as a compliment. The story is disturbing and grippingly directed right up to the end. Using flashbacks and changes in narrative perspective, Almodóvar gradually pieces together a puzzle that uses elements of drama, romance and thriller as much as it does classical Greek tragedy. Spiced with whimsical humor and a dash of eroticism, the result is a fascinating trip into the abysses of an obsessed soul that is hard to resist as a viewer.

In addition to his once again fascinating visual language, Almodóvar can once again rely on an extremely strong acting ensemble for his latest work. Antonio Banderas, in particular, is better here than he has been in a long time. Elena Anaya (Talk to Her) is beguiling and vulnerable, but far from the classic victim. And Robert Àlamo, in his tiger costume, is arguably the biggest creep to hit theaters this year. Watching them and the rest of the cast fill their characters with life and the story with drama, love, fear and despair is a simply great experience and quite a pleasure.

Much more should not be said about The Skin I Live In at this point. After all, the more you know about this film in advance, the less powerful the convoluted story can then unfold. Certainly, this very special thriller is not really for the mass audience, but rather something for seasoned program cinema goers. But for those who love Pedro Almodóvar's movies or like to get involved in very special viewing experiences, this movie based on the novel by Thierry Jonquet can definitely be recommended. Undoubtedly one of the highlights of this cinema autumn and therefore also: absolutely worth seeing!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp