The Reflecting Skin (1990)

In the 1950's, a young boy living with his troublesome family in rural USA fantasizes that a neighboring widow is actually a vampire, responsible for a number of disappearances in the area.

Director:

Philip Ridley

Writer:

Philip Ridley

Stars:

Viggo Mortensen, Lindsay Duncan, Jeremy Cooper

6 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Viggo Mortensen	...	Cameron Dove
Lindsay Duncan	...	Dolphin Blue
Jeremy Cooper	...	Seth Dove
Sheila Moore	...	Ruth Dove
Duncan Fraser	...	Luke Dove
David Longworth	...	Joshua
Robert Koons	...	Sheriff Ticker
David Bloom	...	Deputy
Evan Hall	...	Kim
Codie Lucas Wilbee	...	Eben
Sherry Bie	...	Cassie
Jason Wolff	...	Cadillac Driver (as Jason Wolfe)
Dean Hass	...	Passenger
Guy Buller	...	Passenger
Jason Brownlow	...	Passenger

Storyline

A young boy tries to cope with rural life circa 1950s and his fantasies become a way to interpret events. After his father tells him stories of vampires, he becomes convinced that the widow up the road is a vampire, and tries to find ways of discouraging his brother from seeing her. He must deal with an abusive mother, a father with a charge of molestation, a band of youths creating havoc, and an unforgiving environment in general.

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Plot Keywords:

1950s | united states | usa | united states of america | rural america | 

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Taglines:

Sometimes terrible things happen quite naturally

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for intense violent behavior, and for sensuality

Details

Country:

UK Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 November 1990 (UK)

Also Known As:

Det gyllene fältet

Filming Locations:

Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Screen Productions, BBC Films, Zenith Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min 115 min (Ontario)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The industrial/experimental band Coil used the line "you've been exploding frogs again" on their album « Stolen and Contaminated Songs » (1992).

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Quotes

Sheriff Ticker: Did your father ever touch you anywhere?
Seth Dove: Yeah.
Sheriff Ticker: Where?
Seth Dove: In the kitchen.
Sheriff Ticker: Anywhere else?
Seth Dove: Anyplace outside the kitchen?

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Connections

Referenced in Ancient Evil 2: Guardian of the Underworld (2005)

User Reviews

avoid.

i made the mistake of judging 'the reflecting skin' by its compelling box image. terrible child actors, slow pace, depressing storyline, inane and clumsy symbolism. ugh. weak.