Night Terrors

Movies: Skinamarink

The shoestring budget horror film Skinamarink, directed by Kyle Edward Ball, is having a moment. Last year the film got leaked online and then EVERYONE started talking about how it's "the scariest movie of all time". This particular review, in which the author writes that Skinamarink "taps into something deep, long thought buried, primordial..." is what put the film on my radar. 

But as scary as Skinamarink sounded, it also sounded incredibly boring. The "plot", if it can be called that, is paper thin: two kids, Kevin (age 4) and Kaylee (probably about 7), wake up to find their dad missing. As they begin wandering around the house, they notice that the windows, doors, and even toilet start disappearing. They are alone, trapped, and confused. They can't even tell what time of day it is.

The scares truly begin when an incredibly unnerving, disembodied voice begins to talk to them, beckoning them to "come upstairs" or "go to the basement". This voice seems to be the source of all the terror the children endure. The entity is able to stick toys on the ceiling, remove the children's eyes and mouths, make the power go out (except for the TV, which plays a constant loop of public domain cartoons), and basically keep Kevin and Kaylee in a hell on earth in the place that is supposed to be safest for them: their own home.

Skinamarink, which was filmed on the unbelievable budget of $15,000 (for reference, Paranormal Activity was also filmed on a budget of $15,000, but that was over 15 years ago), is really more of an experimental film than anything else. Nothing happens for probably 60 minutes of the 100 minute run time. There are endless shots of ceiling lights, toys, doorways, and hallways. The movie is one big evil vibe. There are numerous jump scares, which are mostly sound-based. Like, the camera is fixed on a doorway leading to darkness for 45 seconds and then we hear a screech. It is definitely nerve-jangling, though not exactly innovative. What IS innovative is how well Skinamarink seems to perfectly capture the fears of children that stick with us into adulthood. 

I want to take a minute to explain that I did not watch Skinamarink the way it was intended to be watched: either in a theatre or with headphones on a laptop in a dark room. I watched it without headphones on a laptop in the middle of the day. I knew that the headphones-in-a-dark-room would, frankly, be unpleasantly scary for me. But I was curious and wanted to see what the fuss was about. So, I cheated. I also cheated Kyle Edward Ball out of some money since I watched the movie for free online. But, eh, the movie has already made $890,000 at the box office, so it's going to be fine.

Would I recommend Skinamarink? Yes, but specifically for horror fans who enjoy experimental, slow burns. If you hate being scared by movies, this one is very much not for you. I know some folks are willing to be a little scared in order to watch a good or culturally important film, but this movie will absolutely cause nightmares for a lot of people. Also, if you can't stand extremely slow movies (and I can only just barely stand them), you will probably be bored out of your skull with this one. I've heard it described as "David Lynch at his most inaccessible" or "like the last shot of The Blair Witch Project but for 100 minutes". So, based on those descriptions, go forth and make good choices.

Overall, I have to give Skinamarink a solid "B" since Ball truly tries (and succeeds) at capturing a particular kind of terror that will resonate with many viewers. However, it's not rewatchable (it's barely "watchable" in the first place) and it simply doesn't have enough plot to feel "great". 

Grade: B