Skin Deep (2023) 💀💀💀💀

 

Skin Deep is not merely a horror film, but one that confronts viewers with both supernatural terror and the mundane banality of evil faced daily by trans people. Director Nathan Chin weaves those them together into something genuinely disturbing on several levels while providing much-needed positive representation in horror.

Opening on a discarded doll in a darkened bedroom, the view shifts to latticed windows, this bedroom feeling more akin to a cage than a comforting childhood sanctuary. This is underpinned by the staccato soundtrack, reminiscent of a toy piano or perhaps jack-in-the-box. The visuals and audio blend together to reflect the feeling of wrongness which exists in this home, all before introducing a single character.

Building from this, viewers meet Izzy, a trans man, as they dress for the day, their breast reduction scars visible in a brief moment. The discarded doll looks on from behind, the music turning sinister and building on the sense that something is wrong in the world surrounding them.

As Izzy comes downstairs, we see all of that confidence and self-assurance vanish, their posture stooped and face tentative. The reason becomes clear as their mother dead-names them and expresses displeasure at their attire - refusing to see them for who they are. This all too common family dynamic serves to discomfort viewers while immediately making Izzy sympathetic for the daily ordeal they are forced to endure.

When Izzy returns to their bedroom in the evening, the shadows from the window lattice drive home the imagery of the familial prison in which they live. Via the reappearance of the doll, they are once more confronted by their mother's callous disregard for their identity. Things then take an even darker turn with the appearance of The Collector, whose first appearance is built up to with nightmarish effectiveness.

Ari Fromm's performance captures the frustration and pain of being constantly misgendered by their mother, whose callous disregard for her child's feelings chillingly evokes Piper Laurie's performance in Carrie. Alex Morgan's Collector embodies sinister intent. This builds towards a conclusion that, while satisfying, shows darkness remains - born of a mother's unaccepting heart.

This film packs a visceral punch to those who are open to what it has to say. While those more aligned with the film's mother may miss the symbolism and messages here, for those who see Izzy for who they are, there is no mistaking the horror within.

2023 ✶ 10m ✶ Color ✶ US ✶ Director: Nathan Chin ✶ Screenplay: Jonathan James, Nathan Chin ✶ Music: Jay Heller ✶ Starring: Ari Fromm (Izzy/Doll Izzy), Alex Morgan (The Collector), Melissa Sullivan (Mother) ✶ Youtube.

 

Thanks to Evlyn Moreau for their assistance in the preparation of this review