Understanding the Themes and Characters of “Under the Skin” After Ten Years

Unveiling the Unsettling Depths of "Under the Skin": A Decade Later

Jonathan Glazer's 2013 film, Under the Skin, is not a typical sci-fi movie. It lacks battles and heroic figures. Starring Scarlett Johansson, the film explores the essence of humanity, or the lack thereof. A decade later, it remains a striking cinematic work.

The Eerie Premise: Luring Men into the Void

Picture a being, masquerading as a beautiful woman, roaming the wilds of Scotland. This is Laura, Johansson’s character in Under the Skin. Her goal is chillingly simple: ensnare unsuspecting men, draw them to her van, and then... their fate is grim. As the film summarizes, Laura seduces them, sending them to a place where they become mere meat. Charming, right?

Themes That Crawl Under Your Skin

Under the Skin is more than just a story about an alien predator. It weaves a complex tapestry of themes. Xenophobia appears as we see Laura's unsettling encounters with humans. Toxic masculinity is critiqued, aligning her predatory tactics with male behavior. Cultural resistance simmers as Laura navigates her understanding of human life.

Decoding the Characters: More Than Meets the Eye

Laura: The Alien in Disguise

Scarlett Johansson's portrayal of Laura captivates. We learn little about her past, which matters. Initially, Laura feels detached, coldly executing her role. As the story unfolds, her indifference cracks, revealing hints of human emotion and curiosity. The prevailing theory is that Laura is an alien sent to harvest humans. Her purpose? Sinister, hidden in mystery.

Isserley: A Literary Counterpart

Curiously, Laura echoes "Isserley," from Michel Faber's novel, which inspired the film. In the book, Isserley is identified as an alien for a corporation. Her mission involves abducting hitchhikers, hinting at corporate motives behind alien activities on Earth.

The Motorcyclist: Enigma on Two Wheels

A silent figure, the motorcyclist remains a mystery throughout the film. Various interpretations exist. Is he a handler? A guardian? Some suggest he is a companion or pursuer. His ambiguous role heightens the film's sense of unease, serving as a watchful presence over Laura's actions.

Adam Pearson: The Deformed Man

Adam Pearson stands out in his role as "The Deformed Man." He has neurofibromatosis type 1 and plays a crucial role in Laura's changing view of humanity. His presence and Laura's response to him highlight societal views on beauty and difference, challenging her alien perspective.

Unraveling the Story's Meaning: Transformation and Identity

Under the Skin explores transformation. An alien attempts to imitate, or become, something fundamentally human. This journey is full of peril and confusion, diving into what defines our identities.

The Ambiguous Ending: Escape or Rebirth?

The film's ending invites diverse interpretations. Laura faces a brutal fate by a logger who, horrified by her true alien form—a dark void—sets her ablaze. Ambiguity lies here. Does Laura's essence fade with her human form? Or does she escape her skin, continuing as an alien in a new guise? The ending suggests potential for rebirth.

The True Alien Form: A Void of the Unknown

Glances at Laura's real form evoke terror. During seduction scenes, her victims enter a dark void. This reflects her essence, hidden beneath a human exterior. When confronted by the logger, her true self strikes fear, representing the unknown and something beyond human grasp. This portrayal adeptly unsettles viewers.

Behind the Camera: Realism and Hidden Lenses

Scottish Landscapes: A Character in Itself

Scotland represents more than a backdrop in Under the Skin; it becomes a character. Filming spanned varied terrains, from bustling Glasgow to Auchmithie Beach's stark beauty. The bleak landscapes reflect the film's themes, enhancing isolation and alienation.

Unscripted Realism: Blurring the Lines

Glazer’s dedication to realism is clear. He employed an unusual method. Many scenes in public spaces were unscripted with hidden cameras. This technique blurred fiction and reality, capturing authentic reactions and adding an unsettling authenticity to the film.

ARRI ALEXA Plus: Capturing the Visceral

The choice of the ARRI ALEXA Plus camera proved vital for the film's unique look. It captured crisp, detailed images essential for showcasing both ordinary Scottish life and Laura's surreal alien realm.

Source Material: Faber's Novel – A Foundation for the Film

Under the Skin stems from Michel Faber's 2000 novel of the same name. Though the film diverges in some aspects, it maintains its core premise: an alien in human form targeting male hitchhikers in Scotland. The book explores the alien corporation's logistics, adding deeper layers beyond what the film hints at.

Interpretations: Race, Immigration, and the "Tar-Dark World"

Critics have presented various interpretations of Under the Skin, enhancing its complexity. One insightful perspective, by Leo Robson in The Guardian, considers Laura an immigrant navigating a foreign culture. The title itself, "Under the Skin," serves as an "anti-racial slogan," reminding us of our shared humanity beneath external differences.

The "Tar-Dark World": Nest, Web, or Psychological Space?

The "tar-dark world" where Laura submerges victims invites symbolic interpretation. Is it a physical nest within her realm? Or a metaphor for something abstract? Some suggest it represents another dimension or alien views on sex or even a psychological representation of the victims' experiences.

Beyond "Under the Skin": Exploring Related Themes

The term "skin" recurs in cinema with varying thematic explorations. Films like Skin, based on Bryon Widner's true story, highlight redemption and overcoming a hateful past. Beneath The Skin ventures into true crime territory, while In Their Skin explores neighborly terror. Under My Skin addresses gender identity journeys. While linked by "skin," these films reveal diverse explorations of identity, transformation, and humanity.

Adam Pearson: More Than Just a "Deformed Man"

Adam Pearson’s role in Under the Skin is significant. His portrayal and the film’s gaze upon his neurofibromatosis challenge norms of beauty and confront biases. Pearson advocates for awareness of neurofibromatosis and perceptions of disability. His

inclusion is not mere representation; it forces Laura and viewers to face uncomfortable truths about judgment based on appearances.

Skin Deep: Broader Contexts

The title and themes connect to skin itself, our largest organ. We often refer to things as “skin deep,” suggesting superficiality. Yet skin is crucial. It protects and connects us with the world. From thin eyelid skin to thick soles, skin is complex and vital. Disorders remind us of its fragility. Parasites highlight its vulnerability. While it is our largest organ, it barely scratches the surface of our complex internal landscape, resembling Laura's human facade that conceals an alien reality. It serves as a reminder that surface appearances rarely reveal the whole story, which Under the Skin adeptly illustrates.