Caution: SPOILERS (sort of?)
[It’s difficult to say that this review will really have spoilers because…well…the entire movie doesn’t have much context to begin with besides a very loose plot. The biggest spoiler I think would be how this movie is actually filmed. Other than that, there really isn’t much that I could spoil unless I go into excruciatingly painful detail about some of the scenes. The entire movie is as vague as the brief description is. Two children find themselves home alone with no means of escape, seemingly held by some sort of trickster entity lurking in the darkness.
Enticing. I know.]
So, I kept seeing Skinamarink under “recommended” on numerous streaming platforms. I never checked out the trailer until right before I watched it, but I thought it seemed creepy based on the movie stills alone.
Surprise! I decided to watch it. And I think I liked it.
If you watch the trailer, you pretty much spoil the entire theme of the movie yourself. I actually thought it was one of those trailers that purposefully doesn’t give much away and keeps it vague intentionally.
Well… everything the trailer shows is basically what the movie is.
The first descriptor that comes to mind? Unsettling.
The atmosphere and sense of dread alone could give anyone goosebumps, but what really adds to the creep factor are the camera angles.
In every single shot of this movie, you’re forced to think, “Was this really filmed this way on purpose?” Each shot looks like a mis-take – some are out of focus, most are peaking around corners or only filming the children’s feet pitter-pattering down the hallway when they get frightened by whatever they’re stuck in the house with.
Not to mention, the majority of the dialogue between the two kiddies is whispering back and forth, assuming as to not alert the entity of their whereabouts. What’s even creepier, is that the camera will stay in one place as you hear the children whispering, walking past and fading into the darkness, without ever seeing them in the frame.
It’s not until about halfway through the movie that we realize what they’re stuck in the house with is some kind of shape-shifter. It mimics their mother, the viewer is forced to assume, and when they get close, they’re spooked by loud shouting or growling in a gurgled, deep voice that doesn’t even sound human. Or, in other scenes, toys and furniture move on their own, noises and glass shatters come from rooms just out of view and things are thrown around, including the children at some point if I’m recalling correctly.
As all of this is going on, the viewer can only attempt to desperately put pieces together to make it make sense in their own head. You’re either staring at odd angles with small child-like shadows being cast on the walls, or you’re staring at an empty room while hearing a muffled commotion from the next room over, not ever having a clear view of what the hell is actually going on.
Every aspect of this movie is left up to each individual viewer’s interpretation. With no clear indication of the actual plot besides children being alone in an overtly spooky house with no means of escape, this just adds to the uneasiness of it all. Especially when you realize that there’s something trapped inside with them.
So… if you’re attempting to get a very loose idea of what this movie consists of, we have:
Kids home alone.
Dark, spooky house.
No adults to be found.
A mysterious, shape-shifting entity.
And no escape.
I saw a handful of viewers relating the story back to childhood fears of the dark, or even a young child’s perception of abuse within their family. I guess I could see how viewers could connect those dots, but after my own deep thoughts and examination about this film, I feel there are no dots to connect.
Skinamarink was left open to the viewer’s own unique interpretation, and how it translates itself is up to the individual watching it.
My closing thoughts are this – I really liked Kyle Ball‘s bold and unusual decision to direct this film the way that he did. I feel like a lot of horror movies are predictable these days. I felt as if I was being dragged through this movie as if I’m one of the kids trying to figure out what’s going on and how I’m going to get out of that house. I really reflected on this movie and I genuinely appreciate the effort that was put into it.
My final point: How you perceive the film says more about you than the film.
I encourage you to watch this movie and come to your own conclusions about what is going on here. A rainy, chilly evening in October sounds like the perfect vibe for an unsettling, suspenseful journey.
And hey, I’m publishing this just in time for spooky season! If you watch it, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Until next time, buds.
