“The summer I was eight years old, five hours disappeared from my life. Five hours, lost, gone without a trace.” These are the words of Brian Lackey (Brady Corbet), a troubled 18-year-old, growing up in the stiflingly small town of Hutchinson, Kansas. Plagued by nightmares, Brian believes that he may have been the victim of an alien abduction. Local Neil McCormick (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), however, is the ultimate beautiful outsider. With a loving but promiscuous mother, Neil is wise beyond his years and curious about his developing sexuality, having found what he perceived to be love from his Little League baseball coach at a very early age. Now, ten years later, Neil is a teenage hustler, nonchalant about the dangerous path his life is taking. Neil’s pursuit of love leads him to New York City, while Brian’s voyage of self discovery leads him to Neil–who helps him to unlock the dark secrets of their past.
USA | Netherlands, 2004, 105 minutes, Not Rated, Directed by Gregg Araki
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“A truly great film with an ending as transcendent as it is mysterious.”
– Dennis Dermody, PAPER MAGAZINE -
“’Mysterious Skin’ is infused with remarkable tenderness and beauty.”
– A.O. Scott, THE NEW YORK TIMES -
“A fearless, challenging film with terrific performances.”
– Jeff Otto, IGN MOVIES -
“Gordon-Levitt's performance is nothing short of astonishing.”
– Nick Schager, LESSONS OF DARKNESS -
“Despite its prickly subject, ‘Mysterious Skin,’ with its stellar young performances, gloriously original soundtrack and outstanding direction, is a film that begs for repeat viewings.”
– Jordan M. Smith, IONCINEMA.COM -
“Gregg Araki brings Scott Heim's harrowing, fantastic, and darkly funny novel brilliantly to the screen.”
– David Lamble, BAY AREA REPORTER