About Under the Skin

Under the Skin, released in 2014, is a haunting and alienating exploration of human nature. Directed by Jonathan Glazer, this film is based on Michel Faber's science fiction novel of the same name. Scarlett Johansson plays the lead role, an alien entity inhabiting an alluring female human form, who prowls the streets of Scotland seducing lonely men into chillingly fatal encounters.

Making / Production

Jonathan Glazer directed Under the Skin over a period of multiple years, painstakingly constructing the alien world and the recurring theme of human exploitation. The film uses a mix of scripted and unscripted footage, with many scenes featuring unsuspecting Scots interacting with Johansson's character who were recorded using hidden cameras, only realising they had been in a movie after the scene ended.

Actors

• Scarlett Johansson plays the role of a predatory alien entity, using her irresistibility to trap men. Her performance is chilling yet phenomenal, managing to induce both fear and sympathy.
• Jeremy McWilliams portrays a motorcycle man, another alien being helping Johansson's character. His role is both chilling and mysterious, enhancing the movie's suspenseful atmosphere.
• Adam Pearson with neurofibromatosis plays himself in the film. His role underpins the film's theme of our varied humanity.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film uses a mixture of professional and non-professional actors, with many of Johansson's 'victims' not knowing they were in the film until after shooting.
• Johansson learned to drive for this film and a majority of her scenes were shot while she was actually driving.
• The film ominously lacks dialogue and exposition, relying on visual storytelling and Scarlett Johansson's performative prowess to communicate the story.

Awards

Under the Skin garnered several nominations and awards, most notably the BIFA for Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Original Music.

Quotes

• "You're not from here? Where are you from?" - Unnamed Character
• "I have a place about 30 minutes away." - Female (Scarlett Johansson)
• "You're a beautiful girl." - Unnamed Character

Music, Soundtrack

• Composed and conducted by Mica Levi, the disturbing yet mesmeric music score establishes the film's surreal, alien tone.
• The soundtrack features a recurring motif, "Love", hauntingly played in both chilling and emotional moments.
• The stark, reverberating strings in "Death" underscore the predatory nature of Johansson's character.