Scarlett Johansson stars in Under the Skin, based on the 2000 sci-fi novel of the same name by Michael Faber, which will stream this weekend.
Scarlett Johansson stars in the leading role of the film based on a 2000 novel.(Image: Channel 4)
Sci-fi fans have been urged to tune into a film streaming this weekend, starring Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson. Under the Skin, written by Jonathan Glazer, will broadcast this coming Saturday, August 23.
The film is based on Michael Faber’s 2000 science fiction novel of the same title. Marvels star Johansson portrays an alien female who assumes the form of a woman hunting solitary males throughout Glasgow.
This critically praised production will broadcast on Film4 during the early morning hours (12:35AM) of Saturday, August 23.
However, not to panic if the late showing puts you off as it will then be added to Channel 4’s streaming service following the broadcast.
Despite poor box office performance, the production has gained a devoted fanbase since its 2013 debut. Following its cinema release, critics praised it as a “mysterious masterpiece” drawing audiences into a “twilight zone of unforgettable sci-fi strangeness”
The film will broadcast on Film4 this Saturday, August 23 in the early hours(Image: Channel 4)
“Masterpiece” was equally The Telegraph’s assessment of Glazer’s “astonishing” work in their glowing 2014 critique. The production currently holds Certified Fresh status on Rotten Tomatoes, boasting an 83 per cent rating and 259 reviews.
Taking to Rotten Tomatoes, viewers and critics alike left their reviews. “There’s not many movies that exist where after numerous rewatches you get something new out of it each time, it’s truly a movie built to be rewatched time after time,” one person said.
Giving the film four stars, one person wrote: “This is Super Scottish Sci-Fi. But the book is even better!” Someone else simply chimed in: “Extremely unique, bleak and dark. Bravo.”
“After finishing this movie I just sat there for about 20 minutes and honestly couldn’t stop thinking about this for the entire day after,” one person commented.
However, not everyone enjoyed the film. One negative review read: “My God, this movie was boring. The fact that it appeals to critics does no favour to critics. It has such a tedious plot.”
Another commented: “This movie was terrible. I can’t understand how it has such a high rating. I normally like unusual indie-type movies, or at least can appreciate the effort, but this is self-conscious, pseudo-intellectual, pretentious, and mind-numbingly boring.”
“The first time I watched it, I thought what a lot of others thought: slow, boring nonsense. But after watching it again, I can’t get this movie out of my head. I’m honestly obsessed with this movie now and have rewatched 4 times in the last month,” another added.
Joining the cast, Under the Skin features Jessica Mance, depicting the lead character in extraterrestrial form, plus Jeremy McWilliams as the Bad Man, Kryštof Hádek as the Swimmer and Paul Brannigan as Andrew.
Under the Skin broadcasts on Film4 at 00.35am on Saturday, August 23. Viewers can access it via Channel 4 on catch-up after.
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