The poster grabs you and so does the blurb on a story about man without his skin and you decide you like to see this but then its all downhill thereafter. Ben Aston's short film lacks story, style and good acting. Playing more like a metaphor on a couple's life initially, it becomes all about the 'cool' effect of seeing a man in a muscle suit leaving blood marks everywhere and the wife having to always clean up after him. Seriously, where is the story? Even films made breaking conventional story telling rules have a strong story. This short doesn't do story. The blood stained muscle suit and props connect the dots without allowing us to invest in anything of the characters. The excessive use of voice-over like the blood marks turns what could have been a potentially good short into a silly and boring one.
11 Reviews
A heavy metaphor in a strange short film
d-snake16 October 2018
He Took His Skin Off for Me is an incredibly strange film. The premise of the movie is exactly the title and the following fallout.
I suppose it is body horror, of a sort. Really, it's a strong metaphor about relationships, about love, and about sacrifice. In its runtime of eleven minutes, the movie dances on the line of what will be the last straw before the man who took the skin off of his body for his significant other puts his skin back on and leaves. We see struggles and frustrations.
In the end, what the author of the short story, Maria Hummer, and the director, Ben Aston, wanted to say about relationships.
All in all, using such an extreme body horror technique to illustrate such a tender metaphor is unique, to say the least.
I suppose it is body horror, of a sort. Really, it's a strong metaphor about relationships, about love, and about sacrifice. In its runtime of eleven minutes, the movie dances on the line of what will be the last straw before the man who took the skin off of his body for his significant other puts his skin back on and leaves. We see struggles and frustrations.
In the end, what the author of the short story, Maria Hummer, and the director, Ben Aston, wanted to say about relationships.
All in all, using such an extreme body horror technique to illustrate such a tender metaphor is unique, to say the least.
Well...
RodrigAndrisan15 July 2017
All men should get their skin out of them for the women they love, don't they? As a form of supreme sacrifice or the proof of supreme love, or both, however, they, the women, kill us slowly, through everything they do, right after the honeymoon ends... The film lacks what it should happened after the last scene: will she remove her skin for him too? I doubt that, I think she will prefer the divorce, in case they were married... Joke or no joke, reading the opinions of everyone on You-tube and IMDb, 99% did not understood anything. And somehow, rightly, because at least one aspect does not come out clearly from the film: the motivation for which him removes the skin. I'll try again to give an explanation. The reason is simple, those men who have not experienced True Total Love for a woman, have no way to know. The answer is that Love causes you to do such stupid things, such as even getting your skin out of you. I have to add that the movie has a very attractive and commercial title, which makes many to watch it. Last but not least, I can tell you that I've done something worse than taking my skin off for a woman, I married the woman, and not only one woman but two women...
Initially arresting for its title and effects, it is worth getting into because there is an engaging & interesting relationship piece here
bob the moo31 January 2015
There is a great piece of special effect work at the heart of this film. As the title suggests (states), the male character of the central couple, fully removes his skin for his partner – spending all but the opening seconds of the film as a glistening, bloody biological model of sorts. It is to the credits film that you get beyond this very quickly, and that I found that after a few shots where I focused on the technical aspect of it, really I was more drawn into the situation rather than the effects. The story is narrated by the woman of the couple; she is happy that he has done this for her, even though it has some downsides, however he changes through the film – clearly not happy with the change his sacrifice has brought compared to the interrelationship benefits which haven't really stepped up.
I will not say it is a perfect modern parable in this way, however there is a lot of interest to see this relationship where one of the partners has significantly changed himself for the benefit of the other. The sense of excitement early on is one thing, but with friends, with work, and just fundamentally within himself, he starts to be unhappy with the change – or rather the fact that he has given up so much and not seem to have had a lot back. The film doesn't push this onto us, but the woman of the couple does seem to have the easiest role, and although we hear her voice and not his, we do not see anything in her life where she sacrifices, apart from dealing with the impact of his new look on their furnishings.
It is patient as it does this, and I enjoyed the slow pace, and the fact that the film itself sits back with the woman as the narrator – letting us see things ourselves while also being within her perspective to a point. I would have liked that it maybe go deeper with this aspect, but it still works as a relationship study, albeit an extreme one. Technically the film is well made, and as good as the central effect is, I also enjoyed the attention to detail around the set, with bloody smears and marks. The two leads are very good, but ironically the film belongs to Maguire with her narration and ability to silently deliver feeling and thought. Armesto is solid but broader and more obvious with his emotions and, while the special effect is good, he doesn't totally act/move like he is wearing less, rather than more. Still, as a pair, they work very well together.
Initially arresting for its title and effects, it is a film worth getting into because there is an engaging and interesting relationship piece here – even if it is not a wholly successful one.
I will not say it is a perfect modern parable in this way, however there is a lot of interest to see this relationship where one of the partners has significantly changed himself for the benefit of the other. The sense of excitement early on is one thing, but with friends, with work, and just fundamentally within himself, he starts to be unhappy with the change – or rather the fact that he has given up so much and not seem to have had a lot back. The film doesn't push this onto us, but the woman of the couple does seem to have the easiest role, and although we hear her voice and not his, we do not see anything in her life where she sacrifices, apart from dealing with the impact of his new look on their furnishings.
It is patient as it does this, and I enjoyed the slow pace, and the fact that the film itself sits back with the woman as the narrator – letting us see things ourselves while also being within her perspective to a point. I would have liked that it maybe go deeper with this aspect, but it still works as a relationship study, albeit an extreme one. Technically the film is well made, and as good as the central effect is, I also enjoyed the attention to detail around the set, with bloody smears and marks. The two leads are very good, but ironically the film belongs to Maguire with her narration and ability to silently deliver feeling and thought. Armesto is solid but broader and more obvious with his emotions and, while the special effect is good, he doesn't totally act/move like he is wearing less, rather than more. Still, as a pair, they work very well together.
Initially arresting for its title and effects, it is a film worth getting into because there is an engaging and interesting relationship piece here – even if it is not a wholly successful one.
OK
Hitchcoc23 April 2019
Apparently our skin is considered an organ, the largest in the body. For some reason, to prove his love, this guy removes his skin. He continues to live with his beautiful wife, bleeding all over the place, dirtying up his clothes, having trouble at work, etc. She is basically stuck with her usual chores but must do laundry to excess and clean up the walls, the chairs, anything he comes in contact with--every day. It ends on a note of possibilities. A very strange piece of work.
He makes Slim Goodbody look like a sketch drawing
StevePulaski14 January 2015
Ben Aston's He Took His Skin Off for Me is one of the most literal short films I have yet to see, as it concerns the relationship between two people, where, the male (Sebastian Armesto) loved his partner (Anna Maguire) so much he decided to take every part of his skin completely off his body, leaving him nothing but a bright red display of muscles and ventricles. The eleven-minute short film chronicles the relationship these two have created with one another, with the female of the relationship talking about the struggles that have come about with her lover carrying out such a drastic act. While love-making and intimacy hasn't suffered, cleaning the house has become more of a common practice, as her partner leaves bloodstains all over the floors, carpets, sheets, and clothes, and his job has suffered a sharp decline due to his inability to close deals because of the distraction of his physical appearance. Nonetheless, the two share a strong bond and are largely unfazed by the opinions and glares of outsiders.
Before anything else is said, special effects artists Colin Arthur and Jen Cardno must be commended for their unfathomable anatomical makeup, perfected and executed using no computer animation and all practical effects. Aston states Armesto sometimes spent up to eight hours in a makeup chair, but for good reason, as he is so breathtakingly realistic and impeccably perfected that one almost wonders what the special effects crew did with his skin. With that, the film conducts itself in a very straight-forward, minimalist manner, which could be the most disappointing element of all because the film walks with its concept rather than letting it run on its own. We watch things that play out to what we expect and nothing really more.
That isn't necessarily such a hefty criticism, however, seeing as the entire cast is, for one, thoroughly capable at acting in a low-key fashion, and secondly, the makeup and special effects work is so fascinating to view. Aston's methodical storytelling, reliant predominately on dreamlike pacing and narration, makes for a strangely calming, almost reassuring aesthetic to an already deranged piece of work that is effectively defies categorization in every regard. He Took His Skin Off for Me shows just how far someone in a relationship will go to express their feelings and affection to the one they love, even if the action doesn't make much sense or liable to be met with perplexing stares and such from others.
Starring: Sebastian Armesto and Anna Maguire. Directed by: Ben Aston.
Before anything else is said, special effects artists Colin Arthur and Jen Cardno must be commended for their unfathomable anatomical makeup, perfected and executed using no computer animation and all practical effects. Aston states Armesto sometimes spent up to eight hours in a makeup chair, but for good reason, as he is so breathtakingly realistic and impeccably perfected that one almost wonders what the special effects crew did with his skin. With that, the film conducts itself in a very straight-forward, minimalist manner, which could be the most disappointing element of all because the film walks with its concept rather than letting it run on its own. We watch things that play out to what we expect and nothing really more.
That isn't necessarily such a hefty criticism, however, seeing as the entire cast is, for one, thoroughly capable at acting in a low-key fashion, and secondly, the makeup and special effects work is so fascinating to view. Aston's methodical storytelling, reliant predominately on dreamlike pacing and narration, makes for a strangely calming, almost reassuring aesthetic to an already deranged piece of work that is effectively defies categorization in every regard. He Took His Skin Off for Me shows just how far someone in a relationship will go to express their feelings and affection to the one they love, even if the action doesn't make much sense or liable to be met with perplexing stares and such from others.
Starring: Sebastian Armesto and Anna Maguire. Directed by: Ben Aston.
Not too scary, not too interesting
Horst_In_Translation30 October 2015
Warning: Spoilers
"He Took His Skin Off for Me" is a 10-minute (without credits) British short film from last year. The director and writer is Ben Aston, but he isn't really experienced (yet). Same can be said about his co-writer. The most experience here probably comes from lead actor Sebastian Armesto who is the one this (pretty bad) title refers to. Apparently a guy decided to get rid off all his skin for his girlfriend. Why? There is no convincing explanation unfortunately. However, the whole premise also makes this a science-fiction/fantasy movie apart from drama, horror and romance, because this is simply not possible in real life. And he even says, he has no pain, which is completely unrealistic. I must say, all in all, the plot was simply not through through in a convincing manner in my opinion. It reminded me a bit of an old Robbie Williams music video. All in all, not recommended.
Incredibly well made and a piece of art.
AbdAllahMonir31 March 2015
One of the most amazingly well made short films I've ever seen... discussing the consequences on the love life of a couple after the boyfriend takes off his skin and their social life. This movie is a real life piece of art that we see come to live, interact, communicate, love and smile. This was a very great decision of the director Ben Aston which made a character that should be frightening ,very adoring and lovable. The scenes are very intimate and there is a lot of great shots that tells so many stories inside of its details. Acting is so great, especially from the amazing Anne Maguire, who had the emotional side of the film on her, but with her great acting and her superb skills in the voice over as a narrator ,she really holds the film together. One of my favorite short films I've ever seen and beautiful made by a creative director.
Metaphors
marvzjp25 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
"Shedding one skin" for your love one could be a form of sacrifice or expression of love. However, this short film will also show you how futile such act do as a form of expression and does not necessarily beneficial for everyone in the relationship.
The man willingly did it so since it was required from him no less than by his love. However, it made him unable to function as breadwinner. It made him mess everything he touch. It made him unable to close deals because of clients getting distracted of his crimson looks. He doesn't want it but they are the consequences of his initial decision.
In the end, the lady get tired of the clean up routine, might divorce (if they are married) or simply leave him as he is.
He can't just put back his skin and made his life like it was before the shedding.
He will have to suffer scars, pain, and not so good experiences for the rest of his life.
The girl might be able to choose another life with other person.
He can't.
Making him change so he can fit in your definition of good looks will only cause suffering in the end.
Everyone should love a person as he is. Skin deep.
admirable work
Kirpianuscus30 September 2017
its realism. the poetry of story. the delicacy to give a delicate subject in inspired, wise manner. a slice of life. the desire of woman. the gesture of man. the love. the sacrifices. and the last scene as the piece of circle. something special defines this film. an emotion, a feeling, an obscure-well known theme developed in the perfect way. result - a poem. in which the expectation to return to the start point, like suggestion in two scenes, missing. because the love is more than a beautiful emotions puzzle. it has a price. and, in essence, this is the key for discover the blood traces, the sheets, the barefoot print and the gesture who could change everything. short, an admirable work.
Under the skin is ...
kosmasp10 January 2016
I guess the title could not be more revealing to what this short movie is about. Obviously the poster also adds a note to that and should be an indicator if this offends you or makes you sick to your stomach. If you can't handle that, do not watch it, simple as that. The movie is not trying to fool you into watching it, it tells you what's inside (if you forgive the pun).
It's kind of like the saying, that tells us, that it's the inside that counts. And the movie goes deeper than just touching the ... skin of it. Obviously there is a lot of clichés that are being dissected (you can do lots of those, though the jokes of the movie are more sophisticated than that, because the movie is trying to tell us something). Love is touching ... and that can hurt ... more than you know
It's kind of like the saying, that tells us, that it's the inside that counts. And the movie goes deeper than just touching the ... skin of it. Obviously there is a lot of clichés that are being dissected (you can do lots of those, though the jokes of the movie are more sophisticated than that, because the movie is trying to tell us something). Love is touching ... and that can hurt ... more than you know
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
