Scarlett Johansson has portrayed numerous iconic sci-fi characters throughout her career, from the god-like figure in 2014's Lucy to the cybernetically enhanced Major in the live-action Ghost in the Shell, and the dependable Avenger, Black Widow. However, in Jonathan Glazer's 2013 film Under the Skin, Johansson embodies an extraterrestrial with a chillingly detached perspective on humanity.
The film, noted for its disturbing and sensory approach to science fiction, follows an unnamed alien who assumes a human female form. She drives through Scotland in a van, luring unsuspecting men into a surreal and horrifying fate. Rather than a conventional alien invasion narrative, Glazer crafts a hypnotic nightmare that distills sci-fi down to its most primal elements of sensory horror.
The Alien Perspective
The unsettling nature of Under the Skin stems from its deliberate lack of explanation. Early in the film, Johansson's character encounters a family struggling in the sea. While bystanders attempt a rescue, she approaches an incapacitated man and drags him away, indifferent to the unfolding tragedy. This scene highlights the vast gulf between her alien nature and human empathy, presented with a cold, observational distance that evokes a predator studying its prey.
Johansson's performance, often wordless, conveys immense terror through blank expressions and a detached demeanor. The film frequently employs striking visual metaphors, such as a man sinking into a dark, liquid void as he believes he is engaging in a sexual encounter. These scenes, amplified by Mica Levi's haunting score, transform the predatory narrative into a deeply unsettling sensory experience.
Glazer’s minimalist aesthetic, drawing from European art-house cinema, prioritizes visual poetry over explicit narrative. The film's environments are used to channel this mood, contributing to the feeling of otherworldliness.
Improvised Realism
A key element of Under the Skin's effectiveness is its use of hidden micro-cameras, allowing Johansson to interact with real-world Scottish settings and non-actor participants. These custom-engineered cameras, integrated into street furniture and dashboards, captured unscripted reactions from genuine passersby and men Johansson picked up in her van. This technique, dubbed "One-Cams," allowed Glazer to conduct a covert sociological experiment, blending raw documentary footage with the film's art-house sensibilities.
For instance, a scene where Johansson stumbles in a busy Glasgow shopping district captures genuine citizens rushing to her aid, unaware of the filming. These individuals, along with the men picked up by Johansson, later provided signed release forms, contributing to the film's organic feel. Consent was even obtained after men entered the van, adding another layer to the improvised, yet meticulously planned, production.
Ultimately, Under the Skin explores the essence of humanity from an outsider's perspective. It shifts from an alien's hunt to her complex, often vulnerable, understanding of human existence. The film is an eerie and challenging watch, but its chilling efficiency makes it an unforgettable experience, especially as it prepares to leave Netflix on October 31.