In My Mother's Skin

A wealthy Filipino family is struggling to survive during World War 2 and the Japanese army's hold on the country is reducing. The father Aldo has run off to help Americans, after stealing gold from Japanese and has hid the gold as well. With the mother's health deteriorating, the elder daughter Tala seeks help from a fairy, without understanding the consequences. Things take a dark turn when the wish granted by the fairy is not what Tala wanted, putting her and everyone's life at risk.

This is a slow burner and the eerie setting does seem to pay off. It is as gritty as the very first scene sets it up for and it continues to remain the same throughout. Aided by good performances by the two kids and enough scenes to terrify without the jump scares, the film somewhat falters in it's narrative. In order to narrate a straightforward story without much twists, the film sticks to a single tone and it just doesn't offer any surprises, resorting to showcasing one family's ordeal through the girl's pov.

Premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival in the Midnight Film Selection.

Firstly, I do appreciate the creative takes on horror from the Southern Asia perspective as Asian horror movies from Japan and South Korea are pretty common. I rarely see horror flicks made from the Philippines and for the most part, this was pretty good. This movie no doubt has talent as there are some gorgeous camerawork, costumes and productions throughout with some interesting atmosphere and concepts explored. The camerawork is beautiful that helps build tension between the environment and setting.

The narrative that is mixed with war, fairies, and other horror elements is interesting as the narrative, while some improvements on the writing could be done better, provide some interesting concepts and topics explored. The sound design and the soundtrack is really good. Most of the performances were solid and the child actors do a solid job on performing their roles. The direction is pretty goo as well.

The biggest problem is the characters. While the characters have interesting moments, the characters felt too thin to fully connect with and made it a little difficult to fully connect at times. Including pacing as there were some moments that did drag slightly. I don't mind slow-burn horror movies but there were certain moments that felt too slow. Including some lightening issues as certain moments were a bit too dark to see.

Throughout, the gore effects were pretty good and looked pretty realistic. There were some interesting themes that are mean-spirited but I appreciate the director taking some risks on it's tone and setting.

Overall, it has it's flaws but I did have a good time watching it.

No pun intended - I had heard a lot about this, I reckon people do like movies with a certain mood. So I was a bit surprised by the vote (before I watched it) and by the movie itself I'd say. There are decent jump scares and shocks throughout. The story also kind of works - plus there is that very strong beginning ... unfortunately that can also be seen a bit as a downfall of the movie too.

As in people may expect more and better from the rest. That is not to say that the movie is bad. Quite the contrary, it is just not up to the task and the buzz you may have gotten (might only be me I reckon). Acting is decent, sound design is also well done - as is the cinematography - so technically ... sound as they say! If you are into horror you surely will have things to look forward to here (pun you say? Well maybe ...)

In My Mother's Skin is a fantasy horror similar to Pan's Labyrinth or Tigers Are Not Afraid. Its set in the Philippines during WWII and tells the tale of a family trapped in a situation where they will starve if they stay at home, but will likely be killed by the Japanese if they leave. The mother is ill and is dying and in desperation the girl turns to a fairy she finds who offers false hope.

I understand why some people have trouble with the film's narrative. The fates of each of the characters is potentially so bleak that it doesn't seem to really matter what choice each might make. It's dreadfully nihilistic and that has led people to label the film as pointless.

However, I find the film to be more about how different people respond to hopeless no-win situations and whether are not there actually is a noble way to face slow, impending, near-certain death.

There is no doubt that the characters contrast each other in interesting ways and parallels can be made about each family members decisions.

The film is a pretty unique coming-of-age tale that has a payoff if your willing to invest the mental energy.

In My Mother's Skin takes you deep into the heart of Filipino folklore, where reality and the supernatural blend seamlessly in a story that is both terrifying and tragically human. Kenneth Dagatan crafts a chilling narrative set against the backdrop of World War II, a time already ripe with despair and fear. What makes this film stand out is its ability to weave horror into the fabric of historical trauma while maintaining a fairy tale-like atmosphere that feels unsettlingly magical.

The story centers around Tala, a young girl desperate to save her dying mother as her family becomes increasingly isolated in their mansion. When she turns to a mystical fairy for help, the promise of salvation spirals into something far more sinister. Dagatan doesn't shy away from showing the horrors of war, but he cleverly juxtaposes them with an even more sinister supernatural threat.

The performances, particularly from the young leads, are deeply affecting. They convey the fear and vulnerability of children caught in an adult world filled with treachery. The film's pacing, while slow at times, only serves to heighten the tension, pulling you deeper into its nightmarish world.

Visually, In My Mother's Skin is stunning. The dark, foreboding woods and the decaying mansion amplify the film's sense of doom. The practical effects and the fairy's design are haunting, delivering the kind of body horror that lingers in your mind long after the credits roll.

If you enjoy folklore horror with a deeper emotional core, this film is a must-watch. It's not just about the scares but about the price of survival and the fragility of innocence. In My Mother's Skin is an unforgettable journey into the dark side of fairy tales and human desperation.