Mysterious Skin

Name: Mysterious Skin
Genre: Drama, Mystery
Released: May 6, 2005
Duration: 105 min
Rating: 73
Cast: Brady Corbet, Elisabeth Shue, Joseph Gordon-Levitt

2005

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 32 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 104 Ratings

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8.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 104 Ratings

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Mysterious Skin

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Movie Details & Credits

TLA Releasing | Release Date: May 6, 2005 | NC-17

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)

Director: Gregg Araki

Genre(s): Drama, Mystery

Rating: NC-17

Runtime: 105 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

David Sterritt

This thoughtful, troubling drama is leagues above the sensationalistic stuff Araki peddled in earlier films. Read full review

Roger Ebert

At once the most harrowing and, strangely, the most touching film I have seen about child abuse. Read full review

David Ansen

Explores both prepubescent and teen sexuality with an honesty that may make some people uncomfortable, which is a sign of its potency, and a badge of honor. Read full review

Leah McLaren

Unlike Todd Solondz's "Happiness," Mysterious Skin is not an abuse movie that seeks to offend or upset. Read full review

David Rooney

By turns spiky and lyrical, this unsettling drama will be anathema to many audiences, but is bound to be a provocative, talked-about release. Read full review

Stephanie Zacharek

Mysterious Skin isn't a picture about existential vacancy; it isn't even about anything so simplistic as the horrors of child abuse. It's more of a meditation on the necessity of making your way past, or through, any obstacle that prevents you from being a thinking, feeling person. Read full review

Bill White

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. Read full review

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User Reviews

Rob

Oct 28, 2005

This film was a surprisingly faithful adaptation to Scott Heim's controversial novel. If anything, Araki has improved upon the novel's slightly ametuerish writing while still capturing the same plot. Another surprising part of this film was how Araki changed the character of Eric This film was a surprisingly faithful adaptation to Scott Heim's controversial novel. If anything, Araki has improved upon the novel's slightly ametuerish writing while still capturing the same plot. Another surprising part of this film was how Araki changed the character of Eric from a melodramatic character, to a comedic one, supplyign an amusing balance to the film.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

SiriusC.

Aug 2, 2007

This movie was the best depiction on child abuse I've ever seen. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is amazing. The matter in focus is the most delicate subject you can ever put into live pictures, and yet, Gregg Araki manage to put in two seperate storylines, which in the end, connects.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

itsmybodysplan

Oct 31, 2012

People can't face the truth. Araki didn't create the alien idea. It is 0% fictional. Maybe the most incredible story of the last 10 years. The movie is perfect on itself.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

Fanny

Aug 26, 2010

Shocking, simply shocking! Granted any intelligent viewer would have anticipated the denouement long before it was revealed, still through the masterful work of the director you are held spellbound! wow!

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JLuis_001

Oct 18, 2021

It's a story about a wound, and how even when you have repressed it, it's part of your life.

I'd heard Mysterious Skin was very strong film, and that it had received an NC-17 rating in the US. I can't deny that it's a painful movie about the aftermath of child sexual abuse, but it didn'tIt's a story about a wound, and how even when you have repressed it, it's part of your life.

I'd heard Mysterious Skin was very strong film, and that it had received an NC-17 rating in the US.

I can't deny that it's a painful movie about the aftermath of child sexual abuse, but it didn't seem so extreme to me either.
I guess the trauma, and the extent of the trauma was a decisive component in how it could not be assimilated by younger audiences.

Quite an impressive work of a fairly young Joseph Gordon-Levitt… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ScottW.

Apr 17, 2006

Why is it that those who dislike movies about tough subjects, tend to dismiss them entirely without consideration? Why watch the movie in the first place? Anyway, this was a well-made movie and provides a path forward for those kids that were abused. To me, it certainly is far superior to Why is it that those who dislike movies about tough subjects, tend to dismiss them entirely without consideration? Why watch the movie in the first place? Anyway, this was a well-made movie and provides a path forward for those kids that were abused. To me, it certainly is far superior to the movies like Mystic River and Sleepers that also make attempts at exploring this stuff.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

GaborA.

Aug 15, 2006

I never walk out of movies. I'll suffer through anything to criticize it afterwards and warn others. That was until I tried to watch this movie. Utterly unwatchable.

0 of 2 users found this helpful

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