Scarlett Johansson's Most Unsettling Role Is in This Hypnotic Sci-Fi Hidden Gem

Under the Skin is a sci-fi horror flick by Jonathan Glazer that remains one of the most enigmatic alien movies.

Based on Michel Faber's novel, the film has achieved cult status among genre fans, though it has divided audiences: some find it too slow and obscure, while others consider it an instant classic.

What Is 'Under the Skin' About?

An attractive brunette drives a car along the Edinburgh-Glasgow highway every day – she picks up hitchhikers, mostly strapping men, but not for the sake of flirting.

The young woman is an alien stranded on Earth. She hides her true nature behind a female persona and prowls remote highways, ready to unleash her ultimate weapon against humanity: insatiable sexuality.

However, life on Earth gradually begins to affect her, as she develops interest and empathy for humans.

'Under the Skin' Is a Visual Masterpiece and an Auditory Nightmare

In Under the Skin, Jonathan Glazer creates a cold, alienated world in which the northern landscapes of Scotland become characters in their own right.

With almost documentary-like precision, the camera observes the main character, whose face remains impassive until she begins to question her role on this planet.

The soundtrack, composed by Mica Levi, heightens the sense of unease and discomfort – it's not just music but a soundscape that gets under your skin.

Glazer flouts the conventions of traditional cinema, not by breaking their boundaries but by pushing them outward. He unveils a world that has neglected cinema, reducing it to monotonous visual mush.

'Under the Skin' Showcases the Most Powerful Performance of Scarlett Johansson's Career

Under the Skin features arguably Scarlett Johansson's best performance. The actress, known for her roles in blockbusters, appears here in a completely new kind of role.

Her character gradually becomes more human and vulnerable and Johansson conveys her character's internal transformation almost without words, relying solely on facial expressions and body language.

With each new human encounter, the alien becomes increasingly infected with humanity – the movie illustrates how the world adapts, alters, destroys, and consumes everyone within it.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Under the Skin'?

• Under the Skin has 83% from critics and 55% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 6.3/10.

• On Letterboxd, Under the Skin scored 3.6/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Under the Skin'?

Under the Skin is available to buy or rent on Amazon Prime Video.