Under the Skin 2014

In the opening sequence of the film, viewers are introduced to an enigmatic scene that begins with a small orb of light transforming into a vivid circular flash. As this mysterious light gradually takes shape, accompanied by an unsettling audio tone, the audience hears the voice of a woman laboring to master her speech, including an accent possibly from Scotland. This intriguing visual transitions to reveal a dark, liquid-like circular pool that eventually coalesces into an eye – that of a mysterious woman.

The narrative then shifts to a winding road amidst the Scottish highlands, where we encounter a man on a motorcycle. He comes to a halt at a tunnel, dismounts his bike, and ventures off the path, reappearing moments later with a young woman’s lifeless body in tow. With a determined stride, he carries her to a white van, tossing her body into the back without pause.

The audience soon meets this woman’s body, being stripped of her clothing by another young woman — Scarlett Johansson — in a stark, brightly lit white room, creating a striking contrast to the film’s impending darker scenes. Once the woman is dressed, she stands contemplatively over the body, with a tear rolling down her cheek, leaving her identity shrouded in mystery throughout the film. As the scene progresses, the mysterious woman stoops to pick an ant from the deceased body, revealing her intent to inspect the earthly remnants.

The following sequences plunge us into a cloudy day where the mysterious figure, presumed to be an extraterrestrial, leaves a dilapidated home to retrieve the white van as the motorcycle man departs on his bike. The nature of their connection remains elusive. The film continues to explore her interactions as she navigates the bustling streets of Glasgow. Whether shoplifting a faux fur coat or red lipstick, the alien woman observes the behavior of solitary men, often stopping to engage them with queries about directions and personal trivia.

In her pursuit, she discards potential candidates, with engagement markers such as a police siren or distant calls, until she corners a man sporting a green and white scarf, leading him into the same crumbling house. A moment of seduction turns horrific as the man unexpectedly sinks into the liquid floor beneath him, seemingly mesmerized by her allure. The unnatural fate of her victims is reinforced as the narrative returns to her in a voyeuristic stance, collecting her clothing after subversion.

As the story unfolds, we see the alien woman at a beach where chaos erupts around her—a woman drowns while her husband attempts a rescue. In a stark contrast to the uncontrolled panic, the alien woman remains passive until she unexpectedly attacks the man in a wet suit, dragging him away with an eerie indifference to the surrounding turmoil. The narrative follows a chilling trail as the motorcycle man takes note of the aftermath, creating an unsettling sense of intertwining futures.

Through her journeys, we witness the alien woman’s chilling demeanor shift as she increasingly acknowledges the social fabric around her. Engaging with various characters, she begins showing fleeting signs of emotional awakening, reflecting her struggle to grasp human intricacies. This culminates when she lets a disfigured man into her life—an extraordinary measure deviating from her predatory rituals. However, not all encounters lead to conquests, as we see her confused with her developing emotions and human skin, leading to a compelling inner conflict.

The climax reaches a fever pitch as the alien, shedding her outer persona, confronts the ugliness beneath humanity. When pursued by a forest ranger, an unfortunate struggle reveals her true form to him, which ends in violence and tragedy. Burning under his touch, her journey concludes with her being consumed by flames—a poignant representation of her tragic existence, leaving only ash behind on the hillside.

In the film’s closing moments, we are left with the lingering image of snow falling gently to the ground, juxtaposed with the remnants of the alien woman, now liberated from her human disguise, drifting into the void. The exploration of identity, humanity, and emotional connection weaves throughout this haunting story, inviting audiences to reflect on the nature of existence and the often invisible threads that connect us.