Cold Skin is a French-Spanish horror film directed by Xavier Gens and released in 2017. The movie takes place on a remote island where a man arrives to take on the role of a lighthouse keeper. He soon realizes that there are strange creatures that appear every night and he must fight to survive with the help of the only other person on the island, a man named Gruner.
The film is set in the year 1914 as an Englishman named Friend arrives by boat on the island to become a weather observer. He discovers that the previous lighthouse keeper he was meant to replace has disappeared and that he is only joined on the island by Gruner, who greets him with a cold reception. While exploring the island, Friend discovers strange rock formations and a diary belonging to the previous meteorologist that tells of the mysterious creatures that inhabit the island.
Each night, Friend is terrorized by the creatures that arrive at his door, forcing him to hide in the basement until they leave. Upon discovering a cache of weapons and ammunition in the house, Friend decides to fight back, using fire to ward off the creatures. During one of these attacks, Friend has his hand licked by one of the creatures, which heals the wound and effectively puts him on good terms with the mysterious beings.
Friend tries to live in peace with the creatures and offers Gruner his ammunition and supplies to stay at the lighthouse. However, they are soon attacked once again, and Gruner shows his true colors by leaving Friend to fend for himself. When Friend discovers that Gruner has been having sexual relations with the creatures, he begins to question the true intentions of coming to the island for solace.
In the end, Friend and Gruner successfully protect themselves from the creatures by using dynamite, but at the cost of damaging the lighthouse. As the seasons change, the creatures seem to have disappeared, leaving Friend alone on the island once again.
Review
Cold Skin is a minimalistic horror film that plays out like a modern-day fable. The film’s claustrophobic atmosphere is sustained throughout the movie’s runtime thanks to the setting’s limited and isolated nature. The creatures themselves are not your typical horror villains, as they possess a certain innocence and mysterious quality that sets them apart from other monsters.
The film’s pacing is slow, and at times it could feel laborious, but it ultimately delivers a powerful and impactful story about survival in trying and unusual circumstances. The movie’s themes on the complexity of human nature and the unknown only add to the film’s tension and horror.
The acting from all the cast members is excellent, particularly the two main leads of Ray Stevenson and David Oakes. The special effects employed in creating the creature designs and the island setting are done well, without being overly fantastic. Director Xavier Gens’ distinct and stylized approach to filmmaking is on full display here, helping to create an unforgettable, haunting, and dark world for viewers to become fully absorbed in.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Cold Skin is a horror film that will leave a lasting impression on viewers. The film’s distinct blend of horror, fable, and survival elements set in an isolated location makes it a standout in the genre. The movie stays true to its slow-paced nature, developing its themes and characters at a measured pace, which may not appeal to all viewers. However, those who can appreciate a well-crafted, gripping, and visually effective horror flick will find Cold Skin to be a gem worth discovering.
