Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Bizarre Almodovar drama is far too intense for kids.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Skin I Live In
What's the Story?
Robert Ledgard (Antonio Banderas) has developed a new super-strong skin that's impervious to burns and diseases, though the scientific community frowns on his methods. At home, he keeps a beautiful woman, Vera (Elena Anaya), locked up in a special room; she appears to be the result of his experiments. She manages to seduce him, and in a long flashback, viewers learn the terrible story of Robert's wife, burned in a car crash, as well as his sadistic half-brother, his beloved daughter, and his daughter's pill-popping rapist. How do all these bizarre elements add up, and how will Robert pay for what he's done?
Is It Any Good?
Almodovar is one of the world's most sensual filmmakers, revealing a fearless attitude toward sex, unafraid to show beauty for beauty's sake (such as a shot of Robert working on a Bonsai tree). With The Skin I Live In, Almodovar adopts a playfully wicked attitude, similar to the one director James Whale used on Bride of Frankenstein. It doesn't matter how weird things get in this movie, Almodovar is clearly relishing peeling back layer after layer of this peculiar onion.
This is Banderas' sixth film directed by Oscar-winning Spanish director Pedro Almodovar (their first collaboration since 1990), who has become one of the most famous and successful non-English directors alive today. Like Fellini before him, he's now able to announce a film using only his last name. Also, like Fellini, he has grown ever more perverse and daring, taking on more bizarre subjects. Yet Almodovar remains a rigorous and expert filmmaker, with a craftsman's control over color, space, and tone.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the movie's sexual relationships. Is there anything loving or consensual about any of them? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
How do the film's violent events affect you? Are they horrifying, or do they seem more like dark comedy? Is the violence necessary to the story?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 14, 2011
- On DVD or streaming : March 6, 2012
- Cast : Antonio Banderas , Elena Anaya , Jan Cornet
- Director : Pedro Almodovar
- Inclusion Information : Gay Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Sony Pictures Classics
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 117 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : disturbing violent content including sexual assault, strong sexuality, graphic nudity, drug use and language
- Last updated : September 21, 2019
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate