Dark Discussions Podcast – Episode 612 – MYSTERIOUS SKIN (2004)

Dark Discussions Podcast

Gregg Araki, probably best known for THE DOOM GENERATION (1995), though not prolific, he has come out with a number of films of note including MYSTERIOUS SKIN (2004). The script was written by Araki based off a novel of the same name written by author Scott Heim. A Patreon pick from one of our listeners, the podcast takes a look at the film.

Brian Lackey (Brady Corbet), a young man, remembers passing out as a child for unknown reasons. During one of his episodes he sees a shadowy figure staring down at him. When he sees a documentary about alien abductions on televisions, he goes visits a young woman his age that claims she too had been abducted. His discussions with her lead to him searching out Neil McCormick (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who appears in photographs with him as a youngster. Does Neil have an answer or is there a bigger story?

The film stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Brady Corbet, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Michelle Trachtenberg, Bill Sage, and Elizabeth Shue. Due to its subject matter, the film received the “dreaded” NC-17 rating. Controversial, the film still received fine reviews from critics including Roger Ebert. Your co-hosts take a look at the film and give their thoughts.