Perfect Skin (2019)
Written By: FR
Edited By: Grave Reviews Staff
Film Information
Director: Kevin Chicken
Writers: Kevin Chicken, Dusan Tolmac
Producers: Fiona Campbell, Cordelia Plunket
Date Released: January 26, 2019 (USA)
Cast:
Richard Brake as Bob / tattooist
Natalia Kostrzewa as Katia
Jo Woodcock as Lucy / Katia’s roommate
Rating = 2.5/5 Graves
***May contain some spoilers***
Synopsis
Perfect Skin follows the life of a failing tattoo artist, Bob, as his health and personal life falling apart. He befriends a young Polish girl, Katia, who is desperate to find a place to live in order to survive the life in London. After Bob is diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s, a disease, his career seems to come to an end and his marriage becomes strained. With the clock ticking, he becomes obsessed with creating one final masterpiece before his body gives in to the disease. When Katia’s roommate Lucy is called to take care of her ailing mother, Bob takes advantage of Katia’s solitude and kidnaps her, locking her in a jail cell under his tattoo shop. What Katia is unaware of is that she is going to become the blank canvass that Bob is looking for.
Gore Factor
There is not much gore and blood in the film except for one death where one person was cut to pieces. Most of the disturbing scenes are in the infliction of pain showing piercings all over the body. One of the scenes that may make you cringe is when the body is hanging from hooks and chains often referred to as suspension.
The Grave Review
Perfect Skin (2019) is a mystery thriller revolving around artistic obsession and inevitable need to fulfill that obsession. The focus of the film and the protagonist may as first appear to be Katia. But the true focus is Bob who is at a point in his life where nothing matters and his only hope at satisfaction is to have one last big project. As a whole, the plot was well-executed but not particularly original.
In respect to the performances from the cast, all the characters were believable. Bob (Richard Brake) gives the performance of his life in this atmospheric and oddly charming tale of artistic obsession. Katia (Natalia Kostrzewa), also gave an excellent performance as a willing victim.
The movie was able to amply develop the characters and give the audience the time to sympathize or accept the antagonists’ mindset. That being said, one cannot ignore the fact that Bob subjects Katia to elements of torture as Bob practically takes ownership of Katia as if she was a piece of property. As Katia’s body is transformed into this piece of art so too is her mental state. Nevertheless, Katia is able to overcome this demented desire for control and exact a bloody revenge on Bob. Although the movie has very strong indication of body mutilation, the movie was wonderfully told and acted.
For the foregoing reasons, is, Grave Reviews gives Perfect Skin (2019) two and half graves out of five graves.
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