Rent Mysterious Skin (2004)

Not what I thought. - Mysterious Skin review by CP Customer

Expecting to watch a film about alien abduction only to find this a film about the sexual abuse of two young boys.In some places I found it very hard to watch as the subject isn't glossed over but shown I thought in it's full horror.I found this film quite depressing.

Sex Crime - Mysterious Skin review by Steve

Harrowing account of the lifelong trauma suffered by survivors of sexual abuse. Some critics protested this might potentially be of interest to the predators, but for most of us, this is impossible to know. It more obviously extends profound empathy to the victims.

And it has rare value as it cut through to a wider audience via the arthouse circuit. There's a breakout role for Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as a swaggering, charismatic rent boy who retains memories of being abused as an eight year old by his baseball coach.

He is matched by Brady Corbet as an emotionally frozen teenager who has suppressed his memory with nightmares of alien abduction. And this leaves a surreal, dreamy impression, enhanced by the woozy shoegaze soundtrack and weird '80s midwest atmos.

This is clearly not for everyone. There are explicit descriptions of gay sex and some violence. It's especially disturbing in the earlier scenes... But it is sensitively directed by Gregg Araki, who creates an imaginative and illuminating insight into the lives of strangers.

Weird and torturing story - Mysterious Skin review by TB

A story of child abuse but told in a different and at times hard to watch way. It’s very weird in the beginning but in a way it’s presented to you in a fashion in which it must have been interpreted in the child’s minds. This different approach to telling the tale works well and is very affecting. Especially when seeing the pain and suffering that has led both children down different, yet difficult paths as they get older. Good performances by both leads and pulled together well to give a conclusion that hits home hard.