Under the Skin (2013)

A mysterious young woman seduces lonely men in the evening hours in Scotland. However, events lead her to begin a process of self-discovery.

Director:

Jonathan Glazer

Writers:

Walter Campbell, Jonathan Glazer

Stars:

Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy McWilliams, Lynsey Taylor Mackay

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 25 wins & 102 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Scarlett Johansson	...	The Female
Jeremy McWilliams	...	The Bad Man
Lynsey Taylor Mackay	...	The Dead Woman
Dougie McConnell	...	Pick-Up Man
Kevin McAlinden	...	First Victim
D. Meade	...	Leering Man
Andrew Gorman	...	Second Victim
Joe Szula	...	Man at Club
Krystof Hádek	...	The Swimmer (as Krystof Hadek)
Roy Armstrong	...	Father at Beach
Alison Chand	...	Mother at Beach
Ben Mills	...	The Baby
Oscar Mills	...	The Baby
Lee Fanning	...	Motorcyclist #1
Paul Brannigan	...	Andrew

Storyline

An alien entity inhabits the earthly form of a young woman who combs the roads and streets of Scotland in search of the human prey she came to plunder. She seduces her isolated and forsaken male victims into an otherworldly dimension where they are stripped and consumed. However, existence in all its complexity begin to change the alien visitor. She begins to discover herself as human with tragic and terrifying consequences.

---

Plot Keywords:

alien | female nudity | desire | human prey | scotland | 

---

Genres:

Drama | Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for graphic nudity, sexual content, some violence and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Site

Country:

Switzerland Poland UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 March 2014 (UK)

Also Known As:

Pod kožom

Filming Locations:

Tantallon Castle, Auldhame, East Lothian, Scotland, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$13,300,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$133,154, 6 April 2014, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$2,605,039, 3 August 2014

Company Credits

Production Co:

Film4,British Film Institute (BFI),Silver Reel

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the locations where this film was shot was in the Robert Street area of Port Glasgow (where the second victim is lured). Filming had to be delayed for a number of days as there was a real-life murder in the next street prior to filming and the police had cordoned the area off.

---

Goofs

When Laura first gets in the van at the flats, she doesn't shift gears at any point. Her left hand is seen on the wheel even though the engine can be heard changing. As she turn in front of the stadium, you can see it's a manual transmission transit van.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Female Voice: [with a mechanical buzz over shadowy morphing orbs] T- D, S- Z- Th, B- T- V, H- T- D- K- G, S- Z- P- B, Ba-Ba- T- T, K- Kuh- Ch, Th- V- Th, Zzz- Sss- Bzz- Ch, B-B-Buh- V-V-Vuh, G-G-Guh D-D-Duh.
Female Voice: [now over a shiney white torus, slowly morphing] B-B-Buh- B-B-Buh, B-B-Beh, B-B-Beh, Bah, N-N-Nuh- N-N-Nuh, N-N-Nuh- No. N-N-Nuh, F- Feel- Field, Fill- Filled- Filts, Foil- Failed- Fell, Felds- Pill- Pills, Pall- Nall.
Female Voice: [now over a watery chestnut-brown eye] Foal- Foals, Fold- Fold, Pool- Pool, ...

---

Crazy Credits

In the end credits, Barnaby Smyth is listed twice as Foley Editor.

---

Connections

Featured in Renegade Cut: Under the Skin (2014)

---

Soundtracks

C90
Performed by Soundtree
Written by Luis Almau (as Almau)/Peter Raeburn (as Raeburn)
Published by Soundtree Music Publishing Ltd
Licensed courtesy of Nowever Records

User Reviews

Mesmerising existentialist Science Fiction

I believe Under the Skin to be one of the best Science Fiction films I've seen- and I've seen quite a few. Looking at our world though the eyes of an alien is an unsettling, moving and ultimately deeply philosophical experience, ending on an almost Graham Greenesque note. The lack of sentimentality or anthropomorphism in particular gives the film an immediate, almost documentary feel which actually draws you closer to Scarlett Johansson's businesslike seductress. However, this is not in any way a Hollywood production. If you like big, expensive sets, posing movie stars, and predictable, cosy entertainment, this film is not for you. But if you appreciate directors like David Lynch, writers like Philip K. Dick and actors actually acting, I strongly suggest you give Under the Skin a go.