Mysterious Skin (2004)
Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Brady Corbet star in queer writer/director Gregg Araki’s 2004 adaptation of Scott Heim’s 1995 novel “Mysterious Skin.” Today’s post was selected/written by QCA guest writer João Delfim (@circus_of_my_mind on Instagram).
MYSTERIOUS SKIN
2004. USA/Netherlands.
Director: Gregg Araki
Screenplay: Gregg Araki
Based on: “Mysterious Skin” (1995) by Scott Heim
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Brady Corbet, Michelle Trachtenberg, Jeffrey Licon, Bill Sage, Mary Lynn Rajskub & Elisabeth Shue
MYSTERIOUS SKIN is undoubtedly one of the most breathtaking movies I have ever experienced. If I’m being honest, I went into it the first time without knowing its themes or plot, simply for the love of Gregg Araki’s cinema. Though I was not disappointed by the vibrant cinematography and Araki’s mastering of the seventh art, I was deeply taken by surprise by the story I saw unfold above my eyes.
The movie depicts two mirrored tales of young men — Neil and Brian — coming to terms with their haunting past, culminating in the disclosure of a common experience of abuse by their little league coach, during their childhood. The way the feature is built, like a double-side mirror, showcasing two very different outcomes of the same traumatic situation is simply brilliant. It makes for a well-paced story but, most of all, it can bring to light one of the most nuanced and complex narratives about survivors of abuse I have ever seen depicted on the big screen.
Despite both stories being incredibly poignant, I connected with Brian’s tale on a deeper level — mainly, the idea that our brains might try to replace repressed trauma with some supernatural explanation. Brian’s chronic nosebleeds and blackouts slowly motivate recurring dreams about being touched by a strange creature, ultimately leading him to suspect he may have had an extraterrestrial contact experience. His journey to uncover the truth is as heartbreaking as it is touching.
MYSTERIOUS SKIN is certainly warped, gripping, and disturbing at times. However, even with such frankness in its depiction of abuse, the movie comes across as strangely hopeful and brings the characters to an illuminated closure. Gregg Araki’s vision is triumphant in its raw honesty and is a must-watch for us all.
You can find MYSTERIOUS SKIN streaming through Strand Releasing on Prime Video (USA) and Univers Ciné (France), for rent/purchase on Amazon (USA), and also available on DVD and Blu-ray.
