Summary
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Skincare
is a cleverly directed thriller that satirizes the cutthroat world of beauty and Hollywood glamor. - Elizabeth Banks’ award-worthy performance leads a wonderful cast who all get developed and explored in interesting ways, though we needed more Lewis Pullman.
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Skincare
is a sharp satire that blends mystery, crime, and thriller elements to great effect, at least until a disappointing ending.
Pretty soon, aging will be a thing of the past. In fact, de-aging has taken shape at a hot new boutique salon in Los Angeles. Don’t miss out! Well, at least that’s the fictional premise of Skincare, IFC Films’ new release this week starring an extremely talented cast led by a genuinely glowing Elizabeth Banks. It’s a glossy “sunshine noir,” as its rising-star director Austin Peters (Give Me Future) likes to dub it. After just a few scenes, you’ll understand why.
The sun-drenched noir classics from the ’70s and onward might come to mind as the aptly named Hope (Banks) click-clacks her away across Sunset Boulevard and other infamous stretches of Hollywood in pursuit of the American Dream, justice, and a lot more. Skincare may not be the most SEO-friendly title, but it’s a fitting, metaphorical representation of the themes at hand — how there’s something putrid rotting beneath the artifice of arduous beauty regimens, inspiring myths of meritocracy, and a culture obsessed with youth and success.
A Beautician Faces Mysterious Threats in Skincare
First, it’s hard to believe this wild tale is loosely inspired by a real one. Yes, Hope Goldman’s journey here somewhat derives from an actual beautician who was arrested for plotting to murder her rival once upon a time. Like they say, “You can’t make this stuff up.” The rest of Skincare, however, remains thrillingly fictitious, with a delicious spread of diverse characters who all add to a rollercoaster ride through the underground world of beauty salons and what it takes to stand out in the rat pack.
It’s also hard to believe that it’s been 18 years since the last time Banks collaborated with another Skincare scene-stealer: Nathan Fillion, who starred with her in the cult classic Slither (2006). Something about that hilarious creature feature still seems so postmodern, and so does the sleek, dazzling, chaotic nature of Skincare, with Peters’ purposefully frenzied direction at times giving the Safdie brothers (Uncut Gems, Good Time) a run for their money. Things start peacefully as Hope promotes her Italy-derived products in L.A. on a jovial L.A. morning show hosted by Brett Wright (the hilarious Fillion).
But then, things begin to go awry and Hope starts to lose hope (or maybe herself). Someone is trying to sabotage her. Her email is hacked. Someone is posing as her online and publishing ludicrous posts on Craigslist. It all comes at us in a blur at certain points, but that seems to be the point. Who’s the culprit? Is it business landlord Jeff (John Billingsley), who just allowed a rival beautician named Angel (the excellent Luis Gerardo Méndez) to set up shop directly across the street from Hope? It doesn’t help that Angel is also blond-haired, or that his products may actually yield better results than Hope’s.
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Lewis Pullman and the Rest of a Great Supporting Cast
Along with Fillion, there’s another fun real-life reunion here, as Méndez once worked under director Banks for the updated Charlie’s Angels film several years back. These real-life connections between the performers seem to add to the film. There’s a level of trust required between the actors as they go to hilariously uncomfortable depths, like when Hope and Angel meet for the first time and shoot passive-aggressive daggers at each other. Plus, Banks and Fillion are simply a riot together once things escalate into sleazy, icky territory.
Meanwhile, Hope has a colorful cast of pals at her disposal, including young aspiring influencer Jordan (a knockout Lewis Pullman), who wants to help Hope with her rebranding but might have ulterior motives. Hey, this is Hollywood — don’t they all? Jordan makes for a wonderful change of pace for Bill Pullman’s rising-star son, giving him a rich character to play with.
Hope also has an auto mechanic friend in Armen (the riotous Erik Palladino), who goes out for blood once he learns an unknown person continues to jeopardize Hope’s career. No, it doesn’t stop with email hacking and online posts. There’s also the reliably sharp Michaela Jaé Rodriguez as Hope’s long-suffering assistant, who feels like the bright moral center of Skincare.
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Peeking Beneath the Surface of L.A. Lives
What’s really special about Skincare is how it actually cares about its characters and takes the time to delve into their personal lives and not just use them as cogs in the machine of this mystery. The only character we wish we knew more about is Jordan (possibly because Pullman is just that good). Co-writer/director Peters brings his film to greater heights by taking a peek at what these people are like at home, beneath the surface of all that beauty and touch-up. Who are we as humans behind the social mask that we present?
While the ending is a let-down, that’s only because what came before is so enticing. Banks continues to prove herself as a Hollywood tour de force in front of the camera. It’s an awards-caliber turn that will be praised by beauticians, fans of satire, and mystery buffs everywhere. From IFC Films, Skincare will be released exclusively in theaters on Aug. 16.
