The Skin of the Others, a German film from 2018 directed by Thomas Stuber, is a haunting, tense and highly emotional drama that explores themes of grief, love, and human connection through the story of a small family that is grappling with the aftermath of a tragic loss. The film opens with the main character, Andreas (Oliver Mommsen), a successful businessman and CEO of a marketing agency, arriving at his family's summerhouse in the countryside. It is clear from the outset that there is a palpable tension between him and his wife, Heidrun (Isabel Thierauch), who is visibly withdrawn and emotionally distant. We soon learn the reason for this, as Andreas is haunted by the loss of their son, Tim, who died in a car accident several years prior.
As the couple tries to navigate their way through their grief, they are joined by their old friend, Stefan (Torsten Michaelis), a loud and boisterous businessman who has come to stay with them for the weekend. Stefan tries his best to be supportive, but his presence only seems to exacerbate the rift between Andreas and Heidrun. On top of this, there are strange occurrences happening around the summerhouse: a mysterious person is leaving dead animals outside their door each night, which Andreas suspects might be a veiled threat from a disgruntled former employee.
The Skin of the Others is a masterclass in tension-building and atmosphere, as Stuber gradually ratchets up the stakes and hints at the possible supernatural or supernatural-adjacent explanations for what is happening. The cinematography is stunning, capturing the lush beauty of the countryside while also infusing the film with a sense of dread and unease. The acting is uniformly excellent, with Mommsen and Thierauch conveying their characters' grief and desperation with subtlety and nuance, and Michaelis providing a much-needed counterpoint to their misery with his comic relief.
One of the most striking aspects of The Skin of the Others is how it uses the looming threat of violence as a metaphor for the psychological turbulence of the characters. Andreas, consumed with guilt and grief over his son's death, is constantly on edge, convinced that someone is out to get him. Heidrun, meanwhile, is a study in emotional detachment, unable or unwilling to connect with her husband or work through her own grief. As the film progresses, we see how their inability to communicate and empathize with each other only exacerbates their problems, leading to perhaps inevitable outcomes.
Without giving away any spoilers, The Skin of the Others is a deeply affecting film that will stay with you long after the credits roll. It is a masterful exploration of grief, love, and human connection, and a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the darkest corners of the human condition. Highly recommended for fans of slow-burning dramas, psychological thrillers, and arthouse fare.
The Skin of the others is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 53 minutes.
It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.0.
