The Skin I Live In (2011)

Newman finds it macabre, assured filmmaking, though its extreme subject matter and a plot turn may divide viewers. He particularly praises the performances of Antonio Banderas and Elena Anaya.

The critic calls the film a confident, sinister achievement from an auteur at the top of his game. He praises its intricate plot and controlled shifts between genres, noting its unsettling material is handled with acute tact.

Johnston praises Almodóvar’s distinctive take on mad-doctor horror. He singles out the film’s carefully sustained mysteries around Vera and the doctor’s experiment.

Bradshaw finds the film gripping, bizarre and compelling despite its familiar Almodóvar motifs. He praises the director’s hypnotic, elegantly choreographed handling of its surgical-obsession imagery.

The review praises Almodóvar’s genius for turning the ridiculous into the sublime. It describes the film as a creepy, sombre melodramatic thriller.

Graham finds the film a finely executed, vigorous and unsettling tale, though it lacks the clinical horror or soul-shaking dread of some comparable directors. He praises the vivid visuals, Almodóvar’s anarchic energy, and the performances of Antonio Banderas and Elena Anaya.

Murray finds the film visually and thematically effective but dramatically unsatisfying. He faults its overlong, predictable flashback and its retreat into melodrama instead of fully embracing its horror-thriller genre.

Kohn finds the film inventive but meandering and tonally confused, with its twists not earning their buildup. He praises Antonio Banderas’s swaggering performance and the strangely appealing atmosphere.

Linden finds the film visually thrilling and intellectually provocative, though its drama comes to life only intermittently. She especially praises its unforgettable visuals and Alberto Iglesias’ exhilarating score.

Brody calls the film imperfect and sometimes ordinary, but artistically daring and full of remarkable possibilities. He praises its exploration of gender and surgical transformation with soulful mystery.

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Gonzalez finds the film’s convoluted story and underdeveloped psychology keep its beautiful vision from fully working. He praises its sensual visual motifs and a subtle, teasing transition between past and present.

Honeycutt finds the film an unstable but compelling mix of melodrama, science fiction and horror. He praises its lush design, costumes and music, while noting that its earnestness is tempered by well-timed laughs.

Chang finds the film stylish and invigorated, but says it falls short of its promise and softens the story’s darkness. He praises the cast, especially Antonio Banderas, and Alberto Iglesias’ arresting score.

The critic finds the film entertaining but not among Almodóvar’s best, and feels its strange plot should have offered more depth. They praise its striking visuals and exceptional performances, especially Antonio Banderas and Elena Anaya.

Leader finds the film a creepy, compelling, and enjoyably perverse thriller that succeeds through its tonal flexibility. He particularly praises Almodóvar’s deftly handled plot twist and Alberto Iglesias’ varied score.

Papamichael finds the film intensely compelling but often sickening and needlessly vicious. She praises the force of its emotion and the seamless impact of its sensational twist.

Concannon calls the film an exhilarating return to form and finds its audacious, twist-laden story riveting. He singles out Banderas’s performance and Almodóvar’s meticulous, confident storytelling.

Goldberg finds the film initially slow and somewhat meandering, but says its audacious, narratively fitting twist ultimately delivers a powerful experience. He praises the twist and the way the film explores identity, imprisonment, and self-deception, while noting that the story struggles to regain focus afterward.

Kaufman finds the film engaging and sharply told, with a satisfying ending. He praises its economical storytelling and carefully paced mystery, while noting that it may not be as deep as it thinks.

Graham calls it a brave, imaginative film that rewards adventurous viewers, despite some emotional misses and underwhelming horror. He especially praises Almodóvar’s control of the grotesque story and Elena Anaya’s intriguing performance.