MoFo Top 100 Horror Movies: The List

The Skin I Live In is not a typical horror film. Some people might not even consider it horror. Yet, what happens throughout the course of this film is unnerving, sadistic and downright horrific. Without a doubt, the film is a psychological horror film in my books. Just no scares, heck even Almodóvar has described the film as "a horror story without screams or frights".

Describing the film is also a difficult task. There are numerous plot turns that I simply do not want to divulge. The basic premise of the film has Banderas as a plastic surgeon, who after a difficult past, tries to create a synthetic skin that is impervious to damage. His test subject is an unwilling woman who desperately tries to escape at every opportunity.

The film dives into different genres. At times it can be pretty dramatic, then Almodóvar pulls the rug out from under you and you're left watching some twisted things on the screen. He leaves nothing behind and tests the viewers level of how much they can handle. There were times where I was sitting there with my jaw wide open wondering just what the hell was occurring on the screen. Points to Almodóvar for invoking that.

The performances here are pretty strong, Banderas plays against his usual type. He's subtle and menacing. Elena Anaya is our woman who is held against her will. She has tortured eyes, which are the focus point of her performance. The film is in Spanish, so maybe the actors felt more comfortable with their native language.

The film is twisted, some people will be put off immediately by the content. Rape, death, torture, the film has all of this. In another filmmakers hands, maybe this content would ruin the picture and have it fall into the realm of low grade horror trash, but with Almodóvar, he somehow elevates the material. It's mature enough to avoid falling into line with those other films.

Can I recommend the film? Sure, but with a warning. It's twisted.

Wait Till Dark

This has been a number of times watching this and I continue to enjoy it.
Specifically the criminals. I've always enjoyed the underlying tension that will continue to leak out, try as they might to keep their heads when it comes to keeping an eye on another. Especially Arkin who has this James Bond villain persona going on that I get a kick out of.

For this to truly work, as it does for me, the victim must be someone you care for and about. And how can you NOT care about Audrey Hepburn, who's fragility AND strength shine through so well in various scenes. The woman is plain, all out, adorable! Pure and simple.

And the fact that it is kept mostly in the confines of a basement apartment gives it a great claustrophobic aspect that adds to it.

Not sure if it's simply that I've seen it quite a number of times or that I simply enjoy the bad guys just a WEE bit more, but there wasn't the usual enjoyment of tension of past views. Perhaps it was simply a one time thing and the next time around, I will find myself caught up in the tension of the third act as I have in the past.

Regardless, a great revisit for an old favorite. THANK YOU @HashtagBrownies for nominating it so I could revisit it, again!

I really just want you all angry and confused the whole time.

The Skin I Live In was at the very edges of my shortlist. Now I wonder if Eyes Without A Face is liable to make the list at this rate.

I did not care for Wait Until Dark.