I watched the controversial horror film Skinamarink (2022) on Saturday, now streaming on Shudder. Weird is putting it mildly and I had to eventually put on subtitles, as the limited dialogue is often whispered or distorted. This is his first feature-length film, written and directed by Kyle Edward Ball.
Taking place in 1995, two small children decide to sleep downstairs in the living room after their parents go to sleep. The older boy, around 8 yrs old, puts in a VHS tape of old (public domain) cartoons which plays throughout, often you'll hear the soundtrack in the background. They begin hearing sounds and voices, but their parents act oddly and seem to disappear. The voices begin to ask the children to follow them into areas of the house, as windows, doors, and other objects begin to disappear.
Most of the film shows the children only from the back or from the knees down as they walk about the house. We never see the faces of the parents even when they appear in a couple of scenes. Scenes are very dark with light mostly coming from nightlights or flashlights in many scenes. The camera often shoots up toward the ceiling, upper corners, or walls.
I've never seen anything like this, other than some experimental shorts. It's very disturbing, especially as we discover the intentions the voices (spirits?) have toward the children. You never actually see violence but the implications are there.
I actually watched this during the day. I can only imagine that it would be even more effective viewed in a dark room at night or in a theater. I can only recommend this to horror fans who don't need graphic gore or fans of more experimental cinema.
Read reviews from some folks who absolutely hate this film. I'm giving it a 4 out of 5. You will remember it.
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