Home Video Aesthetics Increase Creepiness

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MOVIE REVIEW
Skinamarink
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Genre: Horror
Year Released: 2022
Runtime: 1h 40m
Director(s): Kyle Edward Ball
Writer(s): Kyle Edward Ball
Cast: Lucas Paul, Dali Rose Tetreault, Ross Paul, Jaime Hill
Where To Watch: on Blu-ray, DVD, and digital July 3, 2023, in the UK; available to pre-order here www.amazon.co.uk; available now in the US here www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: First, this will likely be a film you love, hate, or have no feelings about one way or the other. I could appreciate what they were going for, but at the same time, it felt far too familiar to give me a genuinely memorable experience. Kyle Edward Ball bursts onto the big screen with his first-ever venture, a Shudder Original known as SKINAMARINK.

Dive into SKINAMARINK, a haunting tale of two siblings in a quandary that defies reason. They carve out a sanctuary in their living room to escape from their grim surroundings. Fortified by pillows and blankets, they distract themselves with videotapes. SKINAMARINK manages to grip its audience, drawing them into a vortex of suspense and unease. Although the narrative sometimes drags and has moments of redundancy, it succeeds in crafting an engaging and vividly disconcerting world.

The gloomy and ominous environment amplifies the narrative's vibe. Visual distortions and blurry images make the viewers feel a constant dread, elevating the film's fear factor to an all-time high. The story of SKINAMARINK unravels through the harrowing experiences of the siblings, Kevin and Kaylee, trapped in their home. Their ordeal is captured through grainy and distorted visuals, bereft of traditional lighting, which enhances the surrealistic horror encasing their reality. This melange of elements successfully mines the viewers' deepest, darkest fears.

Despite its tendency to leave audiences scratching their heads and a continuous thread of anxiety woven throughout, SKINAMARINK sustains an atmosphere of suspense. The unusual camera angles lend a home video feel to the narrative, further ratcheting its creep factor.

Much of SKINAMARINK's distinct flavor comes from the inventive screenplay penned by none other than its director, even though so much of the film is void of dialogue. Shattering the mold of traditional horror, the film keeps the viewers on their toes, awaiting what the film holds in store. This relentless flow of mages engulfs us, plunging us into a world shrouded in darkness and mystery.

SKINAMARINK's minimalist style successfully culminates in a selection of scenes that will surely make your heart pound. Even though the film would have been more punchy if it were a tad shorter, it's undeniably studded with highlights that will leave a mark. The subtle performances of Lucas Paul and Dali Rose Tetreault, playing the children, along with Jaime Hill and Ross Paul, as the parents, may seem understated at first glance. Yet, they contribute perfectly to the film's intended vibe, encapsulating this singularly memorable cinematic journey.

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[photo courtesy of ACORN MEDIA INTERNATIONAL]