I have always been a fan of sci-fi/speculative films that tend to have a minimal cast against the backdrop of an expansive setting. In this regard, Cold Skin is very reminiscent of Oblivion and Ex Machina. All these films had at most three main characters interacting with one another in an isolated but very vast picturesque location . The wide landscape serves to contrast with the localized affairs of these individuals. So the main hook for me was this setup.
Story-wise, the film tackles primarily two issues: isolation and xenophobia. Both the two male characters have escaped to the desolation of a lonely island having only two human establishments, a cottage and a lighthouse, in hope of running from some burden or repercussion they left behind in society.As such , they try to make the best they can out of mixing with each other and with a female of a native anthropomorphic aquatic species. In fact, I would say this is where the film comes very close in terms of plot point to Ex Machina, which also featured a very palpable tension in the relationship between the two male characters and the female robot. However, Ex Machina carried this storyline to a more concrete resolution. I felt as if Cold Skin didn't try this hard enough and sort of rushed it up towards the film's end. The topic of xenophobia is also brought up with the aquatic creatures clearly being stand ins for the natives of nations colonized by European Imperialism. The film tries to balance the views towards these creatures as both classical savages with an intent to kill the white man as well as natives trying to protect their homeland against colonialism.
Although I had never heard of the actors before, I was never a moment bored by the performances and the good pacing of the movie.
Overall, definitely a film to check out and one not deserving of the abysmally low rating on ImdB : 5.8/10 (as of the time of writing this review)
Story-wise, the film tackles primarily two issues: isolation and xenophobia. Both the two male characters have escaped to the desolation of a lonely island having only two human establishments, a cottage and a lighthouse, in hope of running from some burden or repercussion they left behind in society.As such , they try to make the best they can out of mixing with each other and with a female of a native anthropomorphic aquatic species. In fact, I would say this is where the film comes very close in terms of plot point to Ex Machina, which also featured a very palpable tension in the relationship between the two male characters and the female robot. However, Ex Machina carried this storyline to a more concrete resolution. I felt as if Cold Skin didn't try this hard enough and sort of rushed it up towards the film's end. The topic of xenophobia is also brought up with the aquatic creatures clearly being stand ins for the natives of nations colonized by European Imperialism. The film tries to balance the views towards these creatures as both classical savages with an intent to kill the white man as well as natives trying to protect their homeland against colonialism.
Although I had never heard of the actors before, I was never a moment bored by the performances and the good pacing of the movie.
Overall, definitely a film to check out and one not deserving of the abysmally low rating on ImdB : 5.8/10 (as of the time of writing this review)