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Brady Corbet, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michelle Trachtenberg, Jeff Licon, Bill Sage ... see more see more... , Mary Lynn Rajskub , Elisabeth Shue , Chase Ellison , Lisa Long , Chris Mulkey , Billy Drago , Richard Riehle , Trieste Kelly Dunn , Jeffrey Licon

Two young men are haunted by similar events from their past, though the effects manifest themselves in very different ways, in this powerful drama from independent filmmaker Gregg Araki. In the summer... read more read more... of 1981, Brian (George Webster) and Neil (Chase Ellison) are both eight years old and playing on the same little league baseball team in a small Kansas town. One day, after a game, Brian blacks out after getting caught in a rainstorm, and five hours later he finds himself sitting in his basement with his nose bleeding and no memory of what happened to him. Over the years, the event -- particularly the missing five hours -- weigh heavily on his mind, and he becomes convinced that he was kidnapped by space aliens. Teenaged Brian (now played by Brady Corbet) becomes friends with Avalyn Friesen (Mary Lynn Rajskub), a woman who claims to have been abducted by aliens on several occasions, and she urges him to look to his dreams for patterns that might suggest what happened to him. Meanwhile, during the same summer, Neil developed a powerful crush on their little league coach (Bill Sage), who appeared to have also taken a shine to Neil. Neil's mother (Elisabeth Shue), seeing nothing wrong with their friendship, lets the coach look after Neil while she's off on one of her many dates, and before long Neil begins sexually experimenting with the older man. Neil's introduction to sex inspires him to become a hustler when he grows into his teens, and after burning his bridges in his hometown, Neil (now played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and his close friend Wendy (Michelle Trachtenberg) move to New York, where he continues to cruise for a living but under significantly more risky circumstances. One day, Neil is contacted by Brian, who after seeing one of their team photos from their days in little league suspects he might have some clues as to what happened to him in 1981. Mysterious Skin was based on the novel by Scott Heim, and marked the first time Gregg Araki made a film that did not originate with one of his own screenplays. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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88% liked it

34,844 ratings

Critics

84% liked it

99 critics

NC-17, 1 hr. 39 min.

Directed by: Gregg Araki

Release Date: May 6, 2005

Keywords: disturbing

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DVD Release Date: October 25, 2005

Stats: 2,957 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (2,957)

  • TheDudeLebowski65
    October 14, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Mysterious Skin has an interesting idea for its plot, and frankly is a pretty disturbing film. The film has an engaging story and a good cast. At the center of the film is Joseph Gordon Levitt in the role of Neil McCormick, who is a homosexual hustler and has had a dark childhood... read more by being sexually assaulted by his pedophile baseball coach. Mysterious Skin then follows Neil on his quest to finding what actually happened those many years ago, as many of those events were a blur. The film is terrific, but as I've said it's also fairly disturbing. The cast do a fine job here and the story has enough momentum to keep you entertained, eve3n though it's fairly slow, the story is always engaging and dramatic. Actor Joseph Gordon Levitt is excellent in the role of Neil, and he really brings out one of his best performances. I felt that Levitt added a certain a certain cocky innocence to character. Mysterious Skin is a well crafted film by director Greg Araki, however because of its story; it won't appeal to many viewers. This is really the type of film that can divide an audience. Despite the subject matter, Mysterious Skin is a solid film with minimal flaws. The great cast and directing keep this film afloat and everyone involved really make this a good film. Mysterious Skin is a terrific drama film that you shouldn't pass up on, love it or hate it, this is a powerful film.
  • 3niR
    August 29, 2011
    3niR
    Honestly speaking, I did not expected what I have seen in this movie. I did not read the story line because I like surprise. I just look at the genre and that's it. But for this, I looked at the rating and saw this. It does happens in real life, yeah sad but true. But this is not... read more my taste. It's very disturbing.
  • paulkoh110
    July 6, 2011
    paulkoh110
    I was completely taken from the story. It was already inferred from the first 5 minutes but leaves such a large trail of "what really happened" behind. Its not a classic but definitely worth watching. Might be hard to watch to some viewers but satisfying in the end.
  • stevenecarrier
    June 21, 2011
    stevenecarrier
    "Mysterious Skin" is Gregg Araki's most accomplished and polished film. Granted, this is extremely difficult material and Araki is still working on a shoestring budget. What is most striking about "Mysterious Skin" is how Araki seems to be able to convey a structured narrative ye... read moret still remain squarely in his surrealistic visuals- that is no easy feat. The performances are typically Araki-esque, a lot of angst and attitude but Joseph Gordon-Levitt is able to find the pathos in it, making 'the Araki swagger' seem much more human. "Mysterious Skin" is a film that you will not enjoy and you will not forget. If you are willing to plumb the devastating emotional depths of child molestation and embrace these characters for their flaws, it will be much more rewarding. For serious cinema goers only.
  • ebs90
    November 15, 2010
    ebs90

    Two 18 year old boys from Kansas struggle to carry on with their lives after a traumatic experience in their childhood. They don't have anything in common, and they hardly remember each other's existence. Neil, played by Joseph Gordon Levitt, is an over-confident (yet emotiona

    ... read morelly inaccessible) teenage hustler, while Brian is reclusive and extremely insecure, obsessed with the five hours that disappeared from his memory when he was 8 years old, after which he would often have night terrors and spontaneous nosebleeds.

    Neil knows exactly what happened and tries to numb his pain and confusion with a reckless lifestyle. Brian's quest for answers leads him to a UFO obsession and then, finally, to Neil, who used to be in his Little League baseball team.


    If I could only use one word to describe this film it would be powerful. Mysterious Skin's flawless screenplay takes on a subject as delicate as child abuse with empathy, respect, distance, honesty and fearlessness. It's emotionally draining and visceral, graphic too, but in a way that never ever feels morbid. In everything it shows it is simply being true to the facts and giving enough information for the audience to understand the graveness of what goes on. There are many awkward sexual situations but they are filmed from the character's (Neil's) POV and they are essential to the story because, after all, sex is the root of all his scars. Never does the film fall into sensationalism; in fact the content feels remarkably pure and innocent.


    Neil and Brian are two of my favorite characters in film. Not only are they excellently written, both performances are truly outstanding: Joseph Gordon Levitt in particular takes on a difficult role, a character who doesn't know who he is. I was exhausted from just watching him. He portrayed a combination (or clash) of vulnerability and self-defense, adulthood and childhood, lust and longing, in an incredibly convincing way. He's done bigger films since this one but this is still one of my favorite performances. These characters are not just victims, they're completely three-dimensional humans that raise more than just compassion.


    I admire Gregg Araki for telling a dark story in such a beautiful way. The cinematography and the soundtrack (mostly shoegaze -lovely) create an otherworldly mood, as if Brian and Neil had really been "abducted by aliens" and had returned with their feet still in another dimension. I found these allegories related to trauma and disconnection extremely effective. Over all, Mysterious Skin exudes wisdom. It was made with heart, consideration, and intelligence. I would say it's difficult to watch and will probably make you sick or make you cry... but I also think it's an unmissable contribution to anyone's emotional education.
  • Tomassgringo
    November 6, 2010
    Tomassgringo
    Joseph Gordon-Levitt shines as Neil McCormik, a gay teen selling himself for cash. The struggle of fellow little league team mate Brian Lackey brings these two together to understand their shared struggle. I have my own personal experience that helps me relate with these charac... read moreters. My experience combines these characters, minus the UFO excuse from Brian and the male prostitution of Neil. Having a movie that even touches on a similar experience and pretty accurately portrays the struggle is great!!
  • romy861
    September 18, 2010
    romy861
    Had recently started reading the book this was based on, and wanted to rewatch the movie, which I saw years ago and loved.
    I have to say, the book is way more detailed, so anyone who likes this movie really needs to check it out. That said, however, is still a damn fine movie!... read more
    Joseph Gordon-Levitt is really one of the better male actors out there and he pulls off the role as troubled Neil perfectly. The whole cast are outstanding, actually - Elisabeth Shue as his mum, Mary Lynn Rajskub as Avalyn (who is quite different to the book Avalyn) and even Michelle Trachtenberg is fantastic as Wendy.
    It is not a pleasant topic, (child abuse), and it does not gloss over anything, while still being a beautiful movie to watch and very real.
  • neverteaseaweasel
    April 10, 2010
    neverteaseaweasel
    This is a very powerful movie, a very dark movie, and, in many ways, a relevant movie. If I were reviewing Mysterious Skin as the book, I would say that it is fairly ordinary. Countless young adult books have dealt with rape, hustling, and child abuse. However, as a film, I have ... read morenever seen anything quite like this. It is relentless. The camera and the story does not shy away from anything, and, like Precious, this is a movie that is powerful because of that. One of things I really, not "liked", but found interesting, is that most of the unsavories were ordinary guys. They were not played up to be mosters. They actions were awful, but the people themselves were perfectly normal. I liked this because it is eye opening in a way, but also, we are all capable or mosterous things. We may not molest children, but most everyone has been enraged by some trite event or intentionally misled or decieved someone. We've all done horrid things and we are all "normal" The baddies are not going to stick out like a skeleton jumping from the closet. They are just like you, just like me.

    The only thing I did not like about Mysterious Skin was that I really did not feel emotionally attatched to the happenings. Everybody says it is hard to watch, but I really didn't care. I just didn't really believe in the story. Everything stayed within the proximity of my computor screen. That doesn't change the fact that this is a wonderful film. I would have to say that it is a "Must See Film" despite the fact that it is not entertainling, or visual, or clever, or anything else that you can reach out and grab and love.
  • ythelastman89
    January 13, 2010
    ythelastman89
    If it weren't for the poor production value and made-for-tv look, this would've been a flawless movie. It's such a bizarre, demented and fearless plot that you rarely see in movies. It's a tragic story, but it also lets you know that there can be redemption and peace after someth... read moreing horrible happens. I was blown away with the acting from Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Brady Corbet, they were perfect for nailing down the tone of the film and making it work as well as it did.
  • LWOODS04
    December 4, 2009
    LWOODS04
    This is the kind of film I don't like watching but end up being glad that I did. It was disturbing from the start. I turned it off a few times. Some of the scene's got to be too much for me. Once I knew where the story was headed is when I really wanted to shut it off. It's not e... read moreasy sitting through a movie like this. I definetly closed my eye's at certain parts. I cringed throughout the movie. This is the second movie tonight that I have watched with Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and I am convinced that he can play any role given to him. In the end, this film was dark, horrifying, and heartbreaking. It was gut wrenching. The acting was extremely good. I do recommend others to see this movie. Just make sure you can handle it.

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Critic Reviews

Terry Lawson
July 22, 2005
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press

Araki's best film in a long time. Full Review

Richard Nilsen
July 21, 2005
Richard Nilsen, Arizona Republic

The audience has gotten the point roughly 90 minutes before the characters do. Full Review

Steven Rea
July 21, 2005
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

Manages to deal with its raw, awful subject matter in ways that are both challenging and illuminating.

Chris Vognar
July 1, 2005
Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News

This is a challenging and ultimately moving film that deserves to find a like-minded audience. Full Review

Wesley Morris
June 24, 2005
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe

The usual Araki elements are here (hustlers, rebels, uproar, the absurd), but now he appears to be working with focus and compassion. Full Review

Desson Thomson
June 24, 2005
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

While watching this movie, I scribbled the word 'whoa' five times into my notebook. Full Review

Ann Hornaday
June 24, 2005
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

There is a terrible, terrifying honesty at the core of Mysterious Skin that will make it chillingly recognizable to some viewers and important to recognize for others. Full Review

Jeff Strickler
June 23, 2005
Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune

By the time the climactic revelation finally comes, it's such old news that all the scenery chewing that accompanies it seems alien. Full Review

Stephanie Zacharek
June 18, 2005
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

The film has a weird buoyancy. Full Review

Lisa Kennedy
June 17, 2005
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

You're likely to be bruised by its truths. To his credit, Araki has made that a risk well worth taking. Full Review

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    • Wendy Peterson: I see the way you look at him.
    • Eric Preston: He's so beautiful. I can't help it. He's like a god.
    • Wendy Peterson: You don't have to tell me, I was infatuated with him too once. But I know all Neil's secrets and there's shit there...you don't even want to know about. Trust me. Once I'm gone, you'll be all Neil has...and you have to understand one thing. Where normal people have a heart, Neil McCormick's has a bottomless black hole. And if you don't watch out, you can fall in and get lost forever.
    • Neil McCormick: I hate it when they look like Tarzan and sound like Jane.
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Mysterious Skin Trivia

  • Which actor starred in 10 Things I Hate About You AND Mysterious Skin?  Answer »
  • With what does the main character in Mysterious Skin have his face beaten with, whilst doing a trick?  Answer »
  • who played Neil McCormick in Mysterious Skin  Answer »
  • who played Brian Lackey in Mysterious Skin  Answer »
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