Mysterious Skin Movie Information

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Movie Information

Overall Rank: 713

Average Rating: 3/4

# of Ratings: 102

Theatrical Release Date: 05/06/2005

Language: English

Genre: Drama, Mystery

MPAA Rating: NC-17

Director: Gregg Araki

Actors: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michelle Trachtenberg, Brady Corbet, Elisabeth Shue, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Richard Riehle

Plot: 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.

Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 06/07/2019

Not for the easily disturbed, Joseph Gordon-Levitt is incredible in this unfortunately realistic depiction of the effects of sexual abuse.

mitchellyoung - wrote on 03/12/2012

Not for the faint of heart. Mysterious Skin is one of the most stark and brutally honest portrayals of child abuse and the differing effects it has on its victims. It's not a fun film, by any stretch, and often painful to watch, but it most clearly portrays, in a graphic visual way, the emotional scars that linger from heinous abuse.

Unknown - wrote on 09/17/2010

What an emotionally powerful and unflinching film. This devastating story is upheld by strong characters and even stronger acting from the two leads. Gordon-Levitt is especially terrific here. I never cry during movies, but alas I did shed a tear during the final moments.

Daniel Corleone
Movie God

Mysterious Skin review

Daniel Corleone - wrote on 11/02/2012

A story about loss of innocence, family discord, poor parental guidance, disconnection, finding identity and coping in a cruel world. Brian is searching for clues about his past while Neil is searching for his personality and trying to make it big outside his town. Tremendous performances especially from the young Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Soundtrack and settings for each timeframe realistic. Only knack this reviewer had were the love scenes that seem to be excessive to make its point that it becomes disturbing. True the character needs to feel hardships during his journey, does it need to be over emphasized in brutal scenes. The lack of finality in Trachtenberg's character was another hindrance to keep things in pace though it obviously focuses on the male leads. Mysterious Skin is a …

Franz Patrick
Movie God

Emotionally and Psychologically Rich

Franz Patrick - wrote on 04/01/2008

This is one of those small films that I saw when I didn't love movies as much as I do now. I guess, in a way, this will always have a place in my top ten list regardless of the circumstances because it truly made me want to look into films a lot deeper than most people. Joseph Gordon-Levitt gives a daring performance as an adult who was once abused when he was a child. His character is hung up on a person who he believed loved him. Brady Corbet gave as complex a performance who went through the same thing--except he cannot seem to recall what had happened. I love how everything is literal and metaphorical in this picture. For instance, Gordon-Levitt's character wishes to just get away from the place he grew up in (alienation), while Corbet literally believes that aliens had abducted him …