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Mysterious Skin
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Metascore
74 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.3 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 67 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: Brady Corbet, Elisabeth Shue, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
  • Summary: Based on the acclaimed novel by Scott Heim, Mysterious Skin explores the hearts and minds of two very different boys who come to find the key to their future happiness lies in the exorcism of their collective demons. (Tartan Films)

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 31
  3. Negative: 1 out of 31
  1. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: David Sterritt
    100
    This thoughtful, troubling drama is leagues above the sensationalistic stuff Araki peddled in earlier films.
  2. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Don R. Lewis
    60
    By the end of Mysterious Skin, I felt physically exhausted but I also felt satisfied at the way it all falls into place.
  3. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: Bill White
    25
    Had Araki chosen to illuminate, rather than exploit, the traumatic aftermath of child molestation, his wallow in the horrors of Mysterious Skin might have had a purpose. As it stands, his film is just another trashy look at America as the land of imbecilic perverts.

See all 31 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 36
  3. Negative: 4 out of 36
  1. j30
    10
    Mysterious Skin is gut wrenching story, tragedy with great acting from Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Brady Corbet. Mysterious Skin is a movie that stays with you, it's impossible to shake off.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. PaulaS.
    10
    One of the most harrowing and strangely touching movies I've seen in many years. The writing and acting are equally terrific.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. NolanD.
    1
    I was furious watching this movie, not because of the content but because of the treatment of the content. It's one of the most delicate subjects, if not THE most delicate subject, and this director went at it like a bull in a china shop, and then in an interview claims he's not trying to shock anyone, which is such utter @#$!. I agree with Matt A., and I truly don't know what to make of the general response that this movie has recieved.… Expand
    • 0 of 2 users said yes

See all 36 User Reviews

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