Based on the novel of the same name, Under the Skin follows an unnamed woman (Scarlett Johansson) as she drives around the streets of Scotland picking up men that fall under her spell. She then takes them back to her secluded retreat where they are then.... consumed. I think....
The biggest problem with this film is that taken at face value it's not exactly clear what is going on. The novel on which this is based does a much better job of explaining everything, so I should imagine anyone who has read that will see this adaptation very differently than anyone going in blind. There are men on motorcycles seemingly working with the woman who always seem to know where she is, but she also seems weary of them. Is she some sort of demon? Lab experiment? Alien? Or just a killer? It's not exactly clear the purpose of her actions, she just traps these men for reasons unknown and then leaves. I did suspect I knew what was going on, and I had to read up on it to confirm my suspicions, but the film is intentionally vague and I don't think that does it any favours.
Far more interesting though is the making of the film. Many of the men featured were not actors, they were just random people Scarlett Johansson would chat to while being secretly filmed, and if the director liked the footage they would ask them for permission to use it. Well, that's one way to get realistic dialogue! I also think the film looks pretty great, with good effects that nicely complement the gritty realistic style.
All in all, this is an interesting film and I'm glad I watched it, but unless you have read the book it's not a film I'd particularly recommend.
The biggest problem with this film is that taken at face value it's not exactly clear what is going on. The novel on which this is based does a much better job of explaining everything, so I should imagine anyone who has read that will see this adaptation very differently than anyone going in blind. There are men on motorcycles seemingly working with the woman who always seem to know where she is, but she also seems weary of them. Is she some sort of demon? Lab experiment? Alien? Or just a killer? It's not exactly clear the purpose of her actions, she just traps these men for reasons unknown and then leaves. I did suspect I knew what was going on, and I had to read up on it to confirm my suspicions, but the film is intentionally vague and I don't think that does it any favours.
Far more interesting though is the making of the film. Many of the men featured were not actors, they were just random people Scarlett Johansson would chat to while being secretly filmed, and if the director liked the footage they would ask them for permission to use it. Well, that's one way to get realistic dialogue! I also think the film looks pretty great, with good effects that nicely complement the gritty realistic style.
All in all, this is an interesting film and I'm glad I watched it, but unless you have read the book it's not a film I'd particularly recommend.