Mysterious Skin (2004)

Probable Score

Not Enough Info

Your Score

(0 - 100)

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)

More Information and Actions

Cast and Information

Directed By: Gregg Araki

Written By: Gregg Araki, Scott Heim

Starring: Richard Riehle, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Chris Mulkey, Bill Sage, Billy Drago, Michelle Trachtenberg, Elisabeth Shue, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Brady Corbet, Jeffrey Licon, Lisa Long

Genre: Drama

Country: Netherlands, USA

Where to Stream

Ratings

Collections

Stats

Loading...
loading

Mysterious Skin belongs to 44 collections

1. Onion AV Club: The New Cult Canon (collaborative: moderated by theficionado - 28 stars)

2. Based on a Book (collaborative: moderated by iconogassed - 21 stars)

3. Gay-Themed Films (Male) (collaborative: moderated by bobyang - 20 stars)

4. Women+ (collaborative: moderated by paulofilmo - 18 stars)

5. Christmas (collaborative: moderated by td888 - 16 stars)

6. Films available in HD (collaborative: moderated by kubricksucks - 13 stars)

7. Doubling The Canon (collaborative - 13 stars)

8. Gay (collaborative: moderated by vincente - 9 stars)

9. Prostitution (collaborative: moderated by Moribunny - 7 stars)

10. Based On Novel (collaborative: moderated by tathiel - 7 stars)

11. Skandies (collaborative: moderated by toro913 - 7 stars)

12. Disgusting and Disturbing (collaborative: moderated by myminorplace - 7 stars)

13. Doubling The Canon (2010 update) (collaborative: moderated by MMAlpha - 5 stars)

14. Top 3000 movies with the most votes on IMDb (public: fanfic - 5 stars)

15. Dream/Fantasy/Hallucination Sequence (collaborative: moderated by iconogassed - 4 stars)

16. Slant Magazine's Best of the Aughts (collaborative: moderated by theficionado - 4 stars)

17. New Queer Cinema. (collaborative - 4 stars)

18. Capsules, guest reviews, list candidates... (366weirdmovies) (collaborative: moderated by sesito71 - 4 stars)

19. edkrak films to see (public: edkrak - 4 stars)

20. mother-son relationship (collaborative: moderated by livelove - 3 stars)

21. Aughties Films to See (public: theficionado - 3 stars)

22. The Lost Picture Show Podcast (collaborative: moderated by Coheed - 2 stars)

23. weird (public: ptkw - 2 stars)

24. Super Champion Film Zone top 100 of 21st century (public: snallygaster - 2 stars)

25. Doubling the Canon (2011 update) (collaborative: moderated by MMAlpha - 1 star)

26. Doubling the Canon (2012 update) (collaborative: moderated by Cinephile - 1 star)

27. LGBTQ (collaborative: moderated by AzulA - 1 star)

28. Homophobia (collaborative)

29. Teenage angst (collaborative)

30. watching 2015 (collaborative: moderated by max805)

31. noike/caffes Topp 100 filmer! (collaborative: moderated by Aron Ericson)

32. simon (collaborative: moderated by f_ranzen)

33. Sexual Abuse (collaborative: moderated by Trash Puppet)

34. nminichino DVD collection (public: nminichino)

35. To see (public: pcalado)

36. 2004: Year in Review (public: polanski28)

37. Filmspotting Ratings Project: Week 3 (public: PeaceAnarchy)

38. Movies to See: Drama (public: Lord Moe)

39. Films I saw in the cinema (public: Malcym)

40. D:Movies (public: ptkw)

41. Adolescence (public: Russ Bedford)

42. A Guckliste (public: smuhu)

43. To rewatch, one day... (public: Malcym)

44. 2023 (public: sproost)

Browse the full list of collections

Show:

All Ratings | With Reviews

Order by:

TCI | Percentile | Date Rated | # Stars (Reviews)

Stars	User	Rating
5	ozymandius10	85 _90th
If you've got patience (and a tad bit of tolerance), this movie is pretty rewarding. I say patience because it doesn't really pick right up. The tolerance part has to do with the fact that there are sex scenes (of the homosexual persuasion) in bunches. It seems as though they're overused, because they basically beat a dead horse. The movie gets very good in the second half and the ending is very touching.
4	Kavu	79 _66th
Disturbing and unpleasant to watch, which is almost the whole point. It doesn't have a punchline, it just ends after a long suffering. Like life.
4	frederic_g54	7 _57th
Joseph Gordon-Levitt is one of my favorite actors in the business, and this film shows you why, playing his part to near perfection. A good if disturbing film...
3	Anomaly	87 _89th
Now this is what I want to see from Araki - using his ability to capture teenage recklessness and interesting sense of tone to back up an unflinching look at a dark story. Corbet and Gordon-Levitt play their parts to perfection, two inspired performances that drive the heart of the film. A strong, slow burn.
3	Bown	88 _88th
This is an incredible movie wearing the skin of a really good one. I don't know if that makes sense. I really like it but it feels like it needed just a little push to make it something truly special. The subject matter is something seriously unique and worth exploring, and the way it's tackled is fine and everything, and the ending's perfect....I guess I don't know.
2	idiot27000	23 _10th
So poorly written and directed. What stupid and annoying characters. I couldn't stand them for one second.
2	Pickpocket	7 _68th
Really hard to watch (in a good way). Joseph Gordon-Levitt shows real promise here.
2	Clopinette	80 _69th
Pedophilia is disturbing in itself, but Mysterious Skin tackles a whole lot of other controversial subjects on the side, and does so in a manner that's actually sincere, not exploitative. Gordon-Levitt's character is well-written and acted: he is flawed, real, interesting and likable in a way that isn't solely based on victimizing him to the max and fishing for pity points from the easily manipulated members of the audience. That's kind of refreshing.
2	AFlickering	8 _98th
the genius of this film is that it tells a story of child abuse using an audiovisual language specific to the '90s, or at least a murky, uncomfortably nostalgic approximation of such. irrespective of content, his characters remember (or half-remember) key moments of their childhood in a way that texturally and tonally hits very close to home, at least for my generation.
2	Mohko	80 _83rd
This movie tackles some difficult subjects but does it well.
2	captainjazz	80 _67th
Deeply disturbing and hard to sit through at times. Although it is worth it for the performance from Joseph Gordon-Levitt alone.
2	NathanDarko	92 _87th
One of those movies you can't really forget when you switch off the TV. A powerful movie with such a volatile content. The results of beeing raped in the childhood weigh so heavy on their little shoulders. They have to face those demons their whole live. Araki did a great job and tell this sad sad story very insightful.
2	TopCat	69 _62nd
A harrowing yet magical film that follows the contrasting lives of two child abuse victims. For me, this film was only faulted in that Gordon-Levitt was not in every scene. I was aching to explore his character further to the point I was angry every time we left his story. Although I found our other protagonist somewhat lacking in comparison, the character did grow and much of my negativity was redeemed with a heart wrenching- but not sentimental finale with the two boys. An important film.
1	willofgaia	85 _58th
Gordon-Levitt and Corbet are stunning in the depths they reach for their respective performances, but it appears they suck out the acting ability in the rest of the cast, as everyone else delivers a merely competent performance. There is a slow burn to the last scene, which can become somewhat tedious, but that last scene is so powerful and heartbreaking that it makes up for this in spades. When Brian rests his head on Neil's shoulder, you can practically feel your heart breaking.
1	TheDiceman	75 _89th
Very good.
1	blucow	80 _68th
If film is all about emotional impact, this is a genius film. It's stuck with me.
1	brando814	100 _98th
Disturbing and hard to shake not only is Joseph Gordon Levitt amazing but the usually radiant Elisabeth Shue while still good here has replaced the gleam in her eye with something like resignation. It's sad but if you make it through it you'll be a better person.
1	Boobjuice	71 _68th
This film does a good job of capturing teenagers; they're angsty, they look like actual teenagers, and they're not precocious or clever in the way that dishonest movies often make all teens out to be. A depressing film, and made me feel a little dirty.
1	milkmate	99 _99th
Lovely movie
1	ubermensch	95 _86th
touching gay view with ufo sauce, "heteros" you are not alone!
1	Luna6ix	90 _97th
very good portrait of how the same childhood trauma can produce very different outcomes.
1	Piglet	78 _87th
Wonderful and moving about the different destinies of victims of abuse.
1	Okkervil	84 _89th
Unsettling and uncomprimising. JGL is excellent, but Brady Corbet deserves praise too. Backdropped by a quality soundtrack and Araki's dark direction, "Mysterious Skin" makes for compelling, uncomfortable viewing.
1	overrated	89 _96th
Gordon-Levitt owns his role and it is perfectly clear why this launched him to where he is now. Also the soundtrack is crazy good.
1	zsanford44	85 _69th
Powerful and Melancholy. Araki's best and most mature film.
1	jcphoenix	95 _99th
Uncompromisingly honest in its portrayal of child abuse yet also a mystifying poetic reverie, sifted through a sheen of lazy-day childhood nostalgia. Araki's best.
1	SlantMag	35 _90th
"Pop iconography typically signifies the alienation of Araki's characters from the world, but in Mysterious Skin it ushers in their salvation." - Ed Gonzalez
1	Noam Raz	95 _99th
Feeling vulnerable, it's coz of the end scene.
1	SheWas	70 _72nd
Not unpleasant... but IT IS a guilty pleasure!

Average Percentile 65.09% from 2108 Ratings