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Under the Skin

  • 2013
  • R
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
165K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,106
62
Scarlett Johansson in Under the Skin (2013)
The story of an alien in human form. Part road movie, part science fiction, part real, itÂ’s a film about seeing our world through alien eyes.
Play trailer1:57
8 Videos
99+ Photos
Alien InvasionBody HorrorPsychological DramaSupernatural HorrorDramaHorrorMysterySci-FiThriller

A mysterious young woman seduces lonely men in the evening hours in Scotland. However, events lead her to begin a process of self-discovery.A mysterious young woman seduces lonely men in the evening hours in Scotland. However, events lead her to begin a process of self-discovery.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
    • Michel Faber
  • Stars
    • Scarlett Johansson
    • Jeremy McWilliams
    • Lynsey Taylor Mackay
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    165K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    1,106
    62
    • Director
      • Jonathan Glazer
    • Writers
      • Walter Campbell
      • Jonathan Glazer
      • Michel Faber
    • Stars
      • Scarlett Johansson
      • Jeremy McWilliams
      • Lynsey Taylor Mackay
    • 1KUser reviews
    • 530Critic reviews
    • 83Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 BAFTA Awards
      • 23 wins & 113 nominations total

    Videos8

    International Trailer
    Trailer 1:57
    International Trailer
    Teaser Trailer
    Trailer 1:24
    Teaser Trailer
    Teaser Trailer
    Trailer 1:24
    Teaser Trailer
    First Look
    Trailer 0:52
    First Look
    First Clip
    Clip 1:05
    First Clip
    Under The Skin: UK
    Clip 1:10
    Under The Skin: UK
    Exclusive Featurette
    Featurette 2:35
    Exclusive Featurette

    Photos196

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    + 192
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    Top cast29

    Edit
    Scarlett Johansson
    Scarlett Johansson
    • The Female
    Jeremy McWilliams
    Jeremy McWilliams
    • The Bad Man
    Lynsey Taylor Mackay
    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
    Krystof Hádek
    • The Swimmer
    • (as Krystof Hadek)
    Roy Armstrong
    • Father at Beach
    Alison Chand
    • Mother at Beach
    Ben Mills
    Ben Mills
    • The Baby
    Oscar Mills
    • The Baby
    Lee Fanning
    • Motorcyclist #1
    Paul Brannigan
    Paul Brannigan
    • Andrew
    Marius Bincu
    Scott Dymond
    • The Nervous Man
    Stephen Horn
    • Gang Member #1
    • Director
      • Jonathan Glazer
    • Writers
      • Walter Campbell
      • Jonathan Glazer
      • Michel Faber
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews1K

    6.3165.3K
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    Featured reviews

    3goteamscotch

    A 20 minute short story stretched to feature film length

    I can handle not knowing who our characters are, what their motives are, how they relate to one another, and what the point is for so long, but at some point you need to articulate something... anything. Let me know what they're thinking, why they're doing what they're doing. I was starved of answers for the entire duration of the movie.

    This movie seems to rely on its mood and tone over anything of substance and form. It has remarkably few lines of dialog, and what is there is mostly unimportant. We're left to interpret Johansson's character based on her facial expressions and behaviors, and even those are quite vague. There's just not a whole lot here. The film hints at a lot but never truly defines it.

    The ending isn't setup aside from the ethereal sequences prior. In the end, we still don't know quite who she is or what she was. I doubt the writer had a specific idea either.

    Overall, I didn't like this movie. I found myself asking questions that just were never answered. The film hides behind a layer of mystery, which piques your interest, but there's nothing underneath. Even now having seen the ending, knowing what she is, doesn't leave me feeling satisfied in any way.

    Skip this one. Not worth the time.
    4The_moan_of_all_moans

    Someone kept pausing the film....no wait they didn't.

    I would like to start by saying i am a fan of films that are "different". I don't need a million gunshots or explosions to entertain me. I am not set on good guy vs bad guy and good guy winning. I like thought provoking films; i enjoy them much more than the soul sucking films that are manufactured on a daily basis. So i was intrigued by this one. The trailer was dark and seemed full of suspense. The critics had made bold comparisons with Stanley Kubrick, which in itself is a massive compliment. And as someone who lives in Scotland it had a little sentiment to it.

    But for me it was dull. Every time i thought it was going to pick up the pace, it decelerated. It was so slow it may as well have been going backwards. There are far too many scenes that are prolonged. I am fully aware of its intention to focus on aesthetically driven scenes. But 5/6 seconds is enough to appreciate it, not 10/15 seconds. At some points i thought the reel had maybe stuck and was expecting a CineWorld employee to come pacing round the corner to explain that there was something wrong. It just pauses at points that don't need that much attention. I am also aware of the symbolic nature the film carries. It is clearly a film you need to look further to understand it in more depth. That is fine; i welcome that, but the problem is that it does this without conviction. I don't need to see the masses of drunkards who swarm Sauchiehall Street 20 times. What is the purpose? To let us know that we, as people, blindly walk through life intoxicated not appreciating the finer things in life? That Under the skin we are empty? I assume that is a candidate for its meaning.

    Scarlett Johansson doesn't have a lot to do in this film; basically make small talk and get naked, all the while with a plain face. And considering how ridiculous the Scottish actors are made to look, maybe she is due some credit for maintaining that straight face. There are a few things that bug me however; like she can walk down your average staircase, but panics with a spiral staircase. There is a definite point to this film, but with the layout, with there being no real culmination, no real explanation, it leaves you feeling you have been robbed of a film that could have been more. Could have told a better story. And for any Americans who watch, not all Scottish people talk like that, or wear horrible purple shirts, unnecessarily tucking them into our over elevated jeans. We don't all support Hibs and when a van is parked not all of us will gang up and try to break into the van. So feel free to visit. It is a nice place after all. Although the film had some stunning scenes and promotes Scotland visually, it doesn't exactly put the people in a great light.

    I wanted to enjoy this film, but i couldn't. I wanted to agree with comparisons with Kubrick, but i certainly won't. You can throw arguments of it was beautifully crafted or had symbolic serenity, but at the end of the day it is slow, uneventful and lacked culmination.
    4bongo_x

    The problem here...

    The problem with movies like this is that you have the people who hate slow, mysterious movies and it's automatically 1 star because there were no car chases or dubstep, and the people that feel they have to defend anything quiet and ambiguous like this and give 9 or 10 stars. "So boring" vs "You just don't get it, man". These types of films always only get 1 or 10 ratings. Really, it's not possible to make a so-so version?

    Sometimes people try to make moody, interesting, thought provoking, different kinds of movies and just don't do a great job. This film was right up my alley in every way, but in the end I just said "meh". It wasn't awful, but it did feel a little dull and needlessly drawn out, seemingly because there just wasn't enough to say to fill the time. There also wasn't much to get, really people, it's not that deep or obtuse.

    If there had been more eye candy (besides the obvious) I could have dealt with the other weaknesses easier. But I didn't think the visuals were all that interesting as a lot of people seem to. The whole thing was very film school and didn't totally feel like the work of a mature director, but if you told me it was a student film or something a first timer made on credit cards I would have believed you and said "hey nice effort, keep at it".

    I would like to give it more than a 4 just because it's totally my kind of film, but it really didn't deserve it, and as I said, that's the problem with these kinds of movies, people voting for what kind of film they like instead of how good this particular one was.
    TxMike

    Scarlett in all her glory, Alien to me.

    I am a Scarlett Johansson fan, ever since I saw her in "Horse Whisperer" in 1998. Realizing I had not seen this one yet, I managed to find it via the Kanopy streaming service through my public library's subscription.

    It is not a mainstream movie, with a clear story and character motivations. It is a good watch for those who enjoy occasionally exploring alternative themes and filming styles. There is a vague opening, to suggest that an alien character has arrived and will explore Earth, in the process hunting down unsuspecting males. Scarlett Johansson plays the lead and is only known as "The Female."

    All filmed in Scotland, much of it outside towns and cities in the unusual and mostly beautiful countryside. There isn't much action, nor is there much dialog. The film is atmospheric and attractive, and when it ends it is very easy to think "so what?"

    I am glad I took the time to watch it but I will estimate that most lovers of clear-cut, mainstream movies will not enjoy it.
    7RaveReviewerzzz

    If your open minded give it a try

    I am surprised by the amount of negative criticism about this film as I found it mesmerising and intriguing. If your expecting some Hollywood movie about a sexy alien killing lots of dull characters in a gory and sensationalised way (with lots of explosions thrown in), then you will be disappointed. The pace is slow however I felt that this contributed to the whole feel and atmosphere. I liked the use of Scotland as a setting especially the way it contrasted the natural beauty of Scotland with some of the urban ugliness that exists. I also liked the way Scarlett Johansson played the main role - cool, sexy and almost emotionless. I am glad I didn't watch this at the cinema as watching it at home meant I could discuss the film during the many periods of calm. There were a few arty scenes in the film but I did not feel these were pretentious or contrived, again they added to the feel of the film. The ending was a little disappointing in my opinion but I still feel this film is classy, original and will make most people think!

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Championship motorcycle road racer Jeremy McWilliams was cast as the motorcyclist to handle the treacherous driving conditions of the Scottish Highlands.
    • Goofs
      When Laura is walking down the street before she trips, you can see reflections of a crew member in a high-vis vest helping the camera follow her down the street.
    • Quotes

      Female: You're not from here? Where are you from?

      Camper: I'm from Czech Republic.

      Female: Why are you in Scotland?

      Camper: I just... wanted to get away from it all.

      Female: Yeah? Why here?

      Camper: Because it's... It's nowhere.

    • Crazy credits
      None of the characters are named in the closing credits: the cast-list is only a list of actors' names.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Venice Film Festival 2013 (2013)
    • Soundtracks
      Real Gone Kid
      Performed by Deacon Blue

      Written by Ricky Ross

      Published by Sony/ATV Music Publishing (UK) Ltd.

      Licensed courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited

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    FAQ

    • How long is Under the Skin?
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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 18, 2014 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • Switzerland
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Bajo la piel
    • Filming locations
      • Tantallon Castle, Auldhame, East Lothian, Scotland, UK(castle ruins)
    • Production companies
      • Film4
      • British Film Institute (BFI)
      • Silver Reel
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $13,300,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $2,614,251
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $133,154
      • Apr 6, 2014
    • Gross worldwide
      • $7,494,387
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 48 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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