Mysterious Skin

Gregg Araki’s riveting 2004 drama has lost none of its raw energy, power or ability to shock.

Screening dates and booking

Check which tickets are still available across the festival – and find out about extra ticket releases and standby queues.

Credits

  • Director-screenwriter

    Gregg Araki

  • With

    Brady Corbet, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michelle Trachtenberg

  • USA-Netherlands 2004. 105min

  • Courtesy of

    mk2 Films

  • Language

    English

  • Certificate

    BBFC 18

Introduction

A step away from Araki’s usual provocative and camp-leaning sensibilities, Mysterious Skin is a dreamlike reflection on the aftermath of child sexual abuse, featuring bravura performances by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Brady Corbet and the late Michelle Trachtenberg. While not always an easy watch, the film avoids sensationalising assault, resulting in a mature and nuanced portrait of survivors.

Grace Barber-Plentie

Gregg Araki’s contribution to new queer cinema spanned the 1990s, with groundbreaking films including The Living End and The Doom Generation. But it was Mysterious Skin that broke with his signature nihilistic style and brought his work to a wider audience, consolidating his reputation as a great filmmaker. Mysterious Skin is a work of power and delicacy, honesty and mystery. The film never resorts to moralising or judging; it maintains an ambivalence about its characters and its subject, yet it grips us with its skilful storytelling.

Brian Robinson, BFI Flare Programmer (2000-2024)

Digitally restored by the Academy Film Archive and UCLA Film & Television Archive in conjunction with Sundance Institute in 4K.

Content advice

Contains scenes of drug use, graphic violence or injury, harm towards children, sex, and sexual violence.

Contains flashing images.

How to book

BFI Flare tickets start from £10, with concessions available for many screenings and discounts for BFI Members. Booking information and ticket prices.

If you’re aged 16 to 25, sign up for free to BFI 25 and Under for a chance to get £6 tickets to all screenings and events (subject to availability).

Missed out?

More tickets may become available for these screenings before and during the festival. Find out about extra ticket releases and standby queues.

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