In Their Skin

It definitely stands out in home invasion subgenre. Creepy atmosphere from beginning to the end, unsettling for the viewer.

Lead actors played their characters very well and were convincing in their portrayal of a grieving family. I like the grayish tone present in the entire movie, it is almost black and white. The only thing that I don't find very convincing is how our main characters weren't more careful from the beginning. I mean, those intruders who presented themselves as a family were very awkward from the beginning, I wouldn't let them in in the first place... Overall, very nice movie that is sadly underrated and not very known, but it is definitely worth a watch. Don't expect a lot of blood, the atmosphere is really scary itself and also the constant suspense, you won't be able to take your eyes of the screen.

I hadn't heard of this movie until I was scrolling through an online site, so I thought I'd kill a bit of lockdown time and watch it. Starts with a scene on a bridge, a guy in his underwear struggling to get away from someone. He falls and is killed by an unknown assailant. Cut to the Hughes family travelling to their vacation cottage, clearly struggling after the death of their young daughter. Quick stop at a gas station and the attendant tells them they're early, the usual families aren't due for a couple of weeks but one or two have arrived.

Early next morning Mark Hughes hears a noise and goes outside to find a family outside his house, they explain they are leaving him some firewood. Mark is initially rude to them, but softens and caves in to their suggestion they call back later for a meal.

What then ensues is pretty predictable, the pushy Father, the timid - mentally challenged even - wife and the creepy son, try to find out about the loves of the Hughes. As the evening progresses tempers become frayed and the Hughes ask their guests to leave. Following that we're talking a straight home invasion movie. There is quite a bit of brutality, a pretty gross forced sex scene (because everyone is watching) and a couple of revelations.

It's very predictable, and you kind of wonder why the Hughes would even invite these awful people into their home. The Hughes' son is a drippy, teddy bear clutching nine year old who clearly has issues, whilst rhe son of the other family is quite possibly the oddest, creepiest bad actor ever.

I enjoyed it, probably wouldn't hurry to watch it again but it's a good movie. Selma Blair and James D'Arcy outact everyone else on the screen.

So, I am seeing a lot of reviews that are saying this is a rip off of another movie called Funny Games... I have not seen a Funny Games yet so, there Is that lol

Anyways, I quite liked this movie on multiple different fronts. The pacing was solid and engaging, the acting was far above average, and within my realm of knowledge it felt like an original concept.

I don't think that this would have been nearly as successful as it was if it wasn't for the casting. Everyone did a really great job and sold the freighting nature of what was going on and the characters involved. A great example of ensemble acting. Shout out to my personal favorite, the crazy dad, excellent job.

I wish we could've gotten a little bit more background on both of the families because it felt a little skimpy... And I wasn't a huge fan of the ending but it wasn't anything offensive. Would recommend (but will be checking back after watching Funny Games).

Edit: ok, I'm back. Yeah... that was a pretty solid ripoff of Funny Games... But less brutal and still with its own twist. Not enough to make it truly original but enough to where you don't feel like you're watching the same exact movie. This is kinda like the PG-13 version comparatively and sans the weird cerebral stuff.

The only difference between this movie and Funny Games is in this movie it is a psycho family, some nudity and sex scenes and a few more gunshots. Other than that I couldn't believe this movie script didn't get thrown out as a complete knock off of Funny Games.

Now if you have not seen Funny Games, then I suggest you pick your villain. If you want to see two psycho young men torture a normal wealthy family, go see Funny Games. If you want to see a psycho lower class family torture a normal wealthy family, see this movie.

Both movies have great casts and great acting but I would have to give this film a slight edge in that category. However, when it comes to the disturbingly psychopathic factor in the villains, I give that edge to Funny Games.

All in all, don't waste your time like I did with this movie if you have seen Funny Games. Definitely a good experience I imagine for those who haven't.

OK! From the off I have to say I'm hardly the right person to take as gospel as regards a review for yet another home invasion movie. I have grown increasingly jaded with this sub-genre of horror, it seems that every year a handful of these type of movies get trundled out and suckers like me keep watching in the hope of finding a gem amongst the rough rocks.

In Their Skin isn't a gem, in fact it's not exactly a must see frightener, but it at least tries to add something to an already stagnated sub-genre of film. Namely an identity theft angle that veers away from the usual "oh they are just psychos or hoodies" line of thinking.

There is a raft of reviewers out there in internet land drawing comparisons to this being a Funny Games knock off. Now regardless of how I personally feel about Hanneke's work, is that what people are doing now? Fans of his film(s) expecting a Selma Blair, Joshua Close, Rachel Miner and James D'Arcy starring movie to take home invasion horror to a new level? When it's directed by an unknown? Really?

For an hour writer and directer Jeremy Power Regimbal favours the slow burn approach, and it works because the cast are very committed, and in the case of adult villains D'Arcy and Miner there's some bona fide creepiness about their respective mannerisms. It's only when things shift away from rumbling unease into psycho/sexual territory that the fledgling director loses control and sinks to formula conventions to get his shock and awe.

Not a must see, but in the context of boorish fodder like The Strangers, or higher budgeted fluff like The Purge, then this is well worth a look by those not expecting a whole new dimension of home invasion horror. It does have merits that doesn't waste your time, and beside which, James D'Arcy in this looks uncannily like Norman Bates, so that has to warrant a look! 6/10