The 2023 thriller Skincare arrived with buzz thanks to its unflinching look at Hollywood’s obsession with image and youth. Directed by Austin Peters in his feature debut, the film stars Elizabeth Banks as Hope Goldman, a veteran Hollywood aesthetician whose life begins to unravel in unexpected ways.
As the story opens, Hope is on the verge of launching her own line of luxurious skincare products. But just as she’s secured a high-profile television segment to showcase her line, strange things start happening that threaten to destroy her reputation. Hope finds herself the target of an anonymous stalker who sends a lewd email to Hope’s entire contact list, making it appear she’s having a mental breakdown.
As clients abandon her in droves and her business falters, Hope grows increasingly paranoid and convinced her new competitor across the street, fellow aesthetician Angel Vergara portrayed by Luis Gerardo Méndez, is behind the attacks. Her desperation and obsession escalate dangerously as she tries to uncover the stalker’s identity and salvage her dream.
With its claustrophobic atmosphere and complex portrayal of Hope’s unraveling psyche, Skincare delivers an unflinching portrait of beauty culture’s darker side. Through its examination of themes like image, aging, and competition in Hollywood, the film offers social commentary that continues to resonate a year after its release.
Delving into the Players
Elizabeth Banks truly shines as Hope Goldman. From the start, Hope seems to have it all together as a successful aesthetician. But Banks hints at vulnerabilities beneath the surface. You can see stresses weigh on Hope as she puts everything into her new business venture.
And when strange things start happening, Banks takes Hope on a tragic descent into paranoia. It’s gripping to watch Hope’s grasp on reality slowly slip away. Banks imbues even Hope’s most unlikable moments with a painful humanity. You may not always agree with Hope, but you understand how she got there. It’s a tour de force performance that anchors the entire film.
Lewis Pullman is perfectly smart and slippery as Jordan. There’s an aura of sketchiness around Jordan from the first moment. You can’t quite figure out how his intentions align with Hope’s shattered world. Pullman has a sly manner that keeps you guessing what game Jordan’s playing at any moment. His charm masks a manipulative streak that emerges as Hope’s troubles escalate. Pullman thrives in this untrustworthy yet compelling role.
Luis Gerardo Mendez also stands out as Angel. Where Jordan is slippery, Angel seems straightforward. But is he really the threat Hope makes him out to be? Méndez brings complexity to Angel beyond just being “the competitor.” You see Angel’s passion for his work and sense he’s no mere villain. When Hope’s grip loosens, Mendez ensures you don’t forget there may be more layers to Angel’s involvement than meet the eye.
Together, Banks, Pullman, and Mendez showcase different realities within the cutthroat beauty sector. Hope clings tightly to her façade of perfection. Jordan slides through the cracks of frivolity. And Angel strives for success while shrugging off toxic ambition. The characters feel authentic in both their strengths and flaws. They resonate with anyone who’s faced pressures to project unattainable beauty standards in a warped Hollywood culture.
Creating Unease
Austin Peters shows real flair crafting the unsettling tone of Skincare. From the opening shots, he draws you deep into Hope’s high-stakes world.
Peters understands suspense isn’t just about twists—it’s about unease. He lingers in tight close-ups, letting the smallest gestures speak volumes. You feel every ounce of pressure weighing on Elizabeth Banks’ performance.
The cinematography is seriously impressive too. While the colorful aesthetic screams California sunshine, something feels subtly off-kilter. Scenes are bleached of vibrancy, dulled around the edges. It puts the viewer on edge, as if something sinister lurks beyond the frame.
Lighting is key to the unsettling feel. Harsh angles and shadows conceal as much as they reveal. You can practically taste the paranoia swelling in every dimly lit scene. Interior shots immerse you in murky low-budget chic that enhances the growing sense of peril.
Peters understands that not every secret needs spelling out. He trusts viewers to join the dots through implication and inference. The tight editing zipping us between locations does double duty—advance the mystery while ratcheting up tension.
Skilled mounting of atmosphere through image and sound, Peters has you leaning toward each mystery’s unfolding. His direction makes Hope’s downward spiral into suspicion a true nail-biter. Even lighthearted moments carry an unshakable feeling that darkness looms just out of view.
Through deft touch, Peters spins a yarn that grips from start to surprising finish. He proves masterful at tricking audiences’ perceptions until the final, unsettling reveal. Skincare is a thriller that creeps under your skin and doesn’t let go—a testament to a director with a bright future.
Obsession and Perfection
Skincare shines a light on some dark parts of Hollywood and the beauty industry. Hope’s unwavering focus on her image and success consumes her. As tensions rise with her rival, you see how far she’s willing to go.
The movie shows a world where your looks and youth are tied to your livelihood. Hope puts constant pressure on herself as her youth slips away. When her biggest chance comes, everything falls apart in an instant through no fault but her own. It’s easy to relate to that fear of the future catching up.
Peters doesn’t judge Hope; he understands her drive even when it pushes her over the edge. This story highlights how obsession can distort your reality. Hope only sees enemies plotting her demise, not that her own actions may be driving people away.
We also see how cutthroat the business gets. Hope and Angel will do whatever it takes to stay on top, even if it ruins someone else. Their desperation shines a light on toxic pressures in Hollywood.
When Hope unravels, it exposes flaws in a society that values women only for their appearance. The stalking and harassment she endures is a sobering reminder of dangers many face. You can’t help but feel for her as the system she depends on fails to protect her.
Skincare takes unflinching looks at shadows lurking in glamorous worlds. It draws meaning from a messy real case by focusing on universal human truths. The film sparks thoughtful reflections that linger after the final scene.
Tracking Tensions
The plot of Skincare moves at a quick clip, shuffling Hope between rising action and setbacks. We’re pulled in by the escalating stakes for her business and reputation.
Early on, it’s just small annoyances—a hack, some slashed tires. Nothing outrageous on its own but enough to put Hope on edge. Then things take a darker turn with those disturbing ads. You can feel her panic rising as her world starts crashing down.
When that bizarre video emerges, that’s when the story sinks its hooks deep. You can’t help wondering who’s behind this and how far they’ll take it. Hope is reeling, and we want answers just as badly.
From there, events pick up speed. Hope grasps at suspects like Jordan and Angel. You start to suspect one over the other, analyzing every interaction for clues. The film teases out possibilities skillfully without giving too much away too soon.
By the time Armen gets involved, tensions are sky high. You know this can’t end well but are dying to know the culprit. When we finally learn the truth, it’s a minor letdown—the big reveal feels rushed instead of the cathartic payoff it could’ve been.
Still, the film never loses its forward momentum. Hope’s spiral keeps tightening as she pushes away the people trying to help. Even when the “who” is exposed, we’re left wondering “why” and if there’s more to uncover.
Peters draws you deep into Hope’s obsessed frenzy. The taut plotting keeps raising the stakes until that climactic confrontation, for better or worse. You feel for Hope throughout her harrowing ride, hooked into the mystery until the very end.
While the unveiling of the antagonist isn’t fully satisfying, Skincare’s tightly wound narrative proves Peters knows how to build suspense. With a bit more nuance, this reveal could have packed an even bigger punch.
Parallels and Peers
Skincare draws clear parallels to the strange-but-true crime story that apparently inspired it. Both center around a high-flying aesthetician in LA battling overzealous competitors. But whereas real life got downright bizarre, Skincare plays things relatively low-key. Still, it taps into the same competitive obsession fueling such a unique industry.
The movie also has shades of Brian De Palma’s work exploring paranoid women fueled by jealousy—like Sisters or Femme Fatale. Those dial up the sleaze though, where Skincare aims more for tension than thrills. And where something like Black Swan plunged into full-on psychological unraveling, Hope’s ending is more restrained.
For exploration of competitive fields, Hardiman’s Medusa certainly shares Skincare’s niche specificity. Both shine light on codes and tensions shaping beauticians and hairdressers. Yet Skincare focuses more on one woman’s perspective, while Hardiman offers an ensemble slice of life.
Much has been said about Skincare supposedly critiquing 2010s hustle culture too. To an extent, it taps anxieties around that 24/7 grind. But it doesn’t take as pointed a stance as something like Hulu’s The Bear, which ravaged restaurants’ toxic practices. Skincare seems less like social commentary than a character case study.
Ultimately, Skincare occupies a unique space at the crossroads of genres and inspirations. It doesn’t fully commit to any single approach or trend but borrows elements to spin its own fresh narrative. Through a nuanced central performance, it explores ambition’s dark flip side in an intriguing microcosm.
Strong Performances Sustain an Engrossing Thriller
Skincare proves to be a wholly engaging film from start to finish. Banks delivers a tour de force performance at the center, imbuing Hope with depth and nuance as her unraveling plays out. You can’t take your eyes off her, even as Hope makes questionable choices. Pullman and Mendez lend terrific support too, making their characters’ intentions hard to pin down.
Beyond the performances, Peters directs with flair. His skilled camerawork and evocative visuals heighten the suspense at every turn. You can feel the stress and paranoia seeping into Hope’s world. While some criticize weak plot points, the movie effectively puts you on edge for its lean 90 minutes.
What’s most intriguing is how Skincare piercingly examines society’s fixation on image and the toll relentless ambition can take. Hope’s downward spiral serves as both a cautionary tale and an indictment of cutthroat industries based around appearance. The movie offers more of a thought-provoking perspective than outrageous thrills.
All in all, Skincare proves itself a stay-with-you psychological drama that merits discussion. With its taut storytelling and standout lead work, it can be enjoyed as a one-sitting viewing that leaves an impression. For those seeking a peek into a unique world or intrigued by its real-life roots, it may warrant repeat watches to catch details in Banks’ nuanced performance and the film’s social commentary. While not a perfect film, credit is due for generating lasting thought.
The Review
Skincare
Skincare succeeds more as an unsettling character study and dissection of society's obsession with aesthetics than as a thriller. Its taut direction, vivid atmosphere, and tour-de-force central performance from Elizabeth Banks make it compelling viewing despite some narrative shortcomings.
PROS
- Compelling direction that builds suspense
- Terrific central performance from Elizabeth Banks
- Thought-provoking social commentary
- Stylish visuals and atmosphere
CONS
- Plot lacks cohesion at times.
- Supporting characters could be more developed.
- Falls short of full thriller potential
- Some questionable narrative decisions
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