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As a thriller, it needed to be...more thrilling. There really wasn't enough going on to elevate it above being a decent Lifetime movie, an episode of Nip/Tuck, or a concise hour-long rerun of Dateline with Keith Morrison narrating in his patented Canadian way. Or maybe, the other guy...Dennis whats-his-face. You know, the one with the moles and skin tags. Oh hey, he would have been a great choice for the reenactment of this movie.

But that is the problem with Skincare: it is just too safe and by-the-book. Even the lady that inspired the script said that the actual events were even crazier. And the film itself needed more style. Like literally 2020's horror offering The Stylist comes immediately to mind. There needed to be a central underlying metaphor. Something to do with the "ugliness" of the aesthetician profession. Something more than what was presented.

I don't know. It was fine. Just more ridiculousness would have been appreciated.

This 2024 film directed by Austin Peters states in its opening credits that it: inspired by true events. Title cards dissolved into a television interview in process with the main protagonist: "Hope Goldman".

The whole narrative is a good, stylish portrayal of narcissism and told through the gaze of "Goldman", a Hollywood "facialist" (skin treatment for celebrities). A new business for alternative skin treatment shows up across the street but for "Goldman", this is not good for business.

Rest of the film's story revolves around social media mistreatment and "cancelling"; professional reputations with many involved. Supporting roles like "Goldman"; public relations specialist, "Marine" played by Michaela Antonia Jaé Rodriguez from "Rent" musical fame plus a cameo of Wendy Malick (from 90s TV "Just Shoot Me" sitcom).

Banks is a strong lead but what's interesting is Peters's micro camera shots of skincare products, giving a late night "informercial" vibe! It also reminds one of product placement happening throughout the whole film.

Visually this film really does its best to showcase Hollywood's craze for vanity, narcissism but suggesting its celebrity culture. Taking on a comedic knee jerk at ego competition and the beauty industry via social media hype/self-marketing references.

This black comedy definitely takes an artistic licence focused on skincare treatments and products - maybe commenting on its non-regulated aspects?. Coming out at the right resently where "skin influencers" are running amok on social media and being criticized. In some cases targeting communities that shouldn't be worried about ageing.

Recently real-life skincare guru, Dawn DaLuise has come out in the media about how this film discredits her lived experience. Da Luise was a controversy amongst Hollywood's beauty industry about years ago. According to media outlets, DaLuise was accused of trying to arrange a hit on another competitive skin treatment business owner. That she supposedly is working on her own documentary - maybe these true events influence this movie production.

Was this in theaters? It looks and feel like a made-for-streaming movie. Banks looks great in the movie, and... that's about it.

The plot is bland, very predictable, Nothing much to do with skincare, this could have been about fashion, cakes, anything really.

They could have done something smart like having a toxic skincare product or something like that but no.

The villains are a joke and the main character (Banks) is not very smart, or at least not acting like one. The only good trick she pulled is with that TV anchor.

Presumably, based on a true story, but if its linear and boring who cares if its true? Make it interesting at least.

There is nothing at the end of what happened to the real people, so for all intent and purpose this could just as well be made up.

Anyway, if you're into Elizabeth Banks and skin products you might endure this move for 1.5 hrs, but the rest should stay away, seriously not worth your $$ even for streaming.

Exact score: 51 / 100.

Billed as a thriller, I was expecting a stalker type film reminiscent of something from the 80s. But the tone is really that of a dark comedy with some mystery added in.

Elizabeth Banks plays a business woman in the cosmetic industry on the verge of breakthrough success. After a competitor moves in down the street, Banks' character becomes the victim of ongoing and escalating harassment with the seeming goal of destroying her business. Refusing to be a victim, she decides to fight back.

A lot of potential in the premise and it did keep my interest throughout. Unfortunately, the reveal is anticlimactic and the film lacks a satisfying conclusion.

As I was leaving, I heard a man tell his girlfriend that he thought this felt like a made for Netflix film. Agreed.

This isn't the most complicated or intellectual thriller out there but it was surprisingly entertaining and enjoyable. I had seen a few negative soundbites out there, but there wasn't much in general given I saw one of the first screenings and I was trying to avoid reading much before watching. The soundtrack was great, some scenes had great camera play, and the way the story revolved around a small handful of characters was great -- the writing was good enough but the acting/characters was well done. Some things were very predictable but there were smaller twists and turns that made it fun. The only major irritation, common in some thrillers, was the outrageous stupidity/recklessness of the main chsracter, with some particularly dumb actions/writing. Not a must see by any means but fun and interesting enough to add to your list.

So the trailer peaked my curiosity and I downloaded to watch and it really started off ok. Elizabeth Banks has a beauty salon providing exquisite skincare service for her customers, ready to launch her own product line, when the competition shows up next door and coincidentally a loaded group email goes out to everyone she knows smearing her character, hurting the reputation of her business and the fallout of who's behind it begins. Everything leading up to her launch now spirals completely downward and her naive mindset has her looking in the wrong direction of who's trying to destroy her reputation. For a dark comedy it failed to deliver the way Drop Dead Gorgeous did with the late Kristie Alley o so well. Skincare was watchable but extremely forgettable popcorn.

We went into this movie knowing absolutely nothing, and I recommend that! It's got funny parts, heartfelt parts, and scary parts. There's some violence but not a ton. It's mostly a suspense type of flick where you're wondering what the heck is about to happen- and you think you know who is doing what but you may be wrong. It's just a nice what-the-heck-is-going-on type of dramatic thriller. Elizabeth Banks is amazing in it, and seeing this makes me see her in a new light. She is so good, and I'm embarrassed to say I hadn't noticed her chops before this. It also features Lewis Pullman, the son of my fave Bill Pullman, and Nathan Fillion, against whom the funnier lines of the movie are played.

I watched Skincare early as part of AMC's Screen Unseen. I personally have zero background knowledge or interest in skin care aside from moisturizer (with ceramides! Lol). But I was still planning on watching it because I like Elizabeth Banks and enjoy thrillers/mysteries.

Unfortunately, it's one of the most basic thrillers I've seen. And the mystery does not come close to being mysterious. I couldn't believe how predictable it was. Because of this, the movie overall does very little to entertain or intrigue you.

It feels more like a streaming movie than a theatrical one. It even does that thing where the opening shot is a scene from the end of the movie. It spoils where the movie leads without serving any kind of purpose. Movies need to stop with that nonsense.

If you are really into skin care and cosmetics, that might be enough to turn this bland story into something mildly entertaining. For anyone else, this is not worth your time.

(1 viewing, early screening AMC Screen Unseen 8/12/2024)

Standard thriller that tries to blend true crime and high fashion but stumbles in execution. The film's under-saturated visuals give it a drab look that feels out of place in the gaudy LA setting, while the bad ADR and mediocre acting make it hard to fully engage. The main character's self sabotaging decision becomes frustrating right off the bar, and the plot lacks much progression, leaving her largely unchanged by the end. Elizabeth Banks turns up the paranoia and maintains a hysterical persona for most of the film-though the performance quickly gets old. The music is a high point, with its stress-inducing synths that build tension, but even that can't save the predictable and rushed ending. It's an okay film, but there's no need to rush out to see it. If you're into true crime dramas, skincare, or LA fashion, it might be worth a watch when it hits streaming.

I went in hoping I would like it but not expecting too much. I think Elizabeth Banks is great and i love her movies and, in my opinion, she really did a job here. This story is bigger than what the trailers lead you to believe, and it unravels a mystery that's continuously growing. It felt like an old Hollywood movie and had enough tense moments and suspense that really kept you going throughout the story. By the end of the story when all the elements are revealed it really makes you question yourself, who your friends are, who you do business with and who could be a dangerous person in your life. Elizabeth Banks did it again. Will absolutely watch this again.

Skincare is set to be a thriller, in which a beauty expert, Hope Goldman (Elizabeth Banks), after a hard and dedicated career has put her small company among the best for skin care in the competitive environment of Los Angeles. But everything begins to fall apart when, facing her business, a very unfriendly and arrogant young man named Angel (Luis Gerardo Mendez) opens his shop also dedicated to skin care. This is where a systematic campaign begins to ruin Hope's personal reputation and her credibility as a great cosmetologist. Her e-mail is hacked and a message is sent to all her clients declaring her financial difficulties and her vehement desire to satisfy her sexual appetite with any man willing to provide his services. Scandals follow one another and a young man who calls himself a "life coach" named Jordan (Lewis Pullman) is, apparently, her only concrete support. Hope detests her competitor Angel and is sure that he is to blame for the attacks she is suffering. The atmosphere is charged with tension and the film seems to be resolved in the style of a thriller. In particular, for me it is more valuable as a social commentary on the tensions one must face in the daily life of big cities, the isolation and fragility that comes, paradoxically, from being constantly connected to some social network, the daily interaction with people who are very socially adapted but treacherous like scorpions. Hope is under a lot of pressure, she feels pushed to professional collapse which, in her case, is also her downfall as an individual because her life is her company, and she makes bad decisions.

Nathan Fillion in the role of Brett, a host on a television talk show, is far from being the hero we all admire (Firefly, Castle and The Rookie) and has a special but brief role.

In short, perhaps because the story is based on real events, it does not have the exaggerated elements that are usually present in this genre of noir films. Elizabeth Banks is perfect in her characterization of Hope Goldman and the entire cast is very efficient. Jordan (Lewis Pullman) is Bill Pullman's son (how time flies!) and I happened to see him doing a good job in the mini-series Lessons in Chemistry starring Brie Larson. Austin Peters' direction and the team of writers were also of a good standard. A good film if one doesn't have false expectations.

I'll watch anything with Elizabeth Banks in it, even this predictable, hamfisted attempt at crime thriller. It starts out ok with a set up that makes you think there's an actual satisfying resolution in its future, but utterly fails to deliver a character arc, or an ending that doesn't feel under developed.

There's absolutely nothing memorable about this or even on par with current cinematic standards of excellence. Without the A-list lead and budget, it'd be an OK student film that might get into a mid level film festival, that's it.

There's really no reason to watch this unless you're just super bored.

*Skincare* looked slick, had great music but that's about it. The cinematography and soundtrack are undeniably the highlights of *Skincare*, giving it a polished surface that initially grabs your attention. However, the substance beneath that surface is sorely lacking. For a movie that's marketed as a thriller, it falls disappointingly flat.

The story barely manages to hold interest, and the so-called thriller aspect is underwhelming at best. *A typical C movie*, with predictable plot points and one-dimensional characters. You keep waiting for that gripping moment, but it never arrives.

*Pretty waste of my time*. The film tries to build tension, but apart from the obvious moments of suspense, there's little that qualifies it as a true thriller. If anyone can point out the thrilling parts beyond the few forced attempts, I'd love to know.

This movie made me think of this topic i once read: There are B Movies, bur are there C Movies or D Movies?

Greetings again from the darkness. Billed as "a fictional story inspired by true events", the film pretty obviously draws from the 2014 case where aesthetician Dawn DaLouise was accused of plotting the murder of rival Gabriel Suarez. This is the first feature film from music video director Austin Peters, who co-wrote the script with Sam Freilich and Deering Regan (all first-time screenwriters). Although there is some entertainment value here, the inexperience of the filmmakers shines through, leaving us wishing for a bit more heft.

The very talented Elizabeth Banks stars as Hope Goldman. It's 2013 Los Angeles, and after a year of treating the stars to facials, Hope is on the verge of rolling out her own line of facial products. Her financial backer has recently deserted her, causing stress ... but nothing like the stress Hope is about to experience.

A lot happens very fast. Hope tapes a segment for a local TV talk show hosted by Nathan Fillion. Angel (Luis Gerardo Mendez) opens an anti-aging salon directly across from Hope's shop. One of her clients introduces her to Jordan (Lewis Pullman), a Life Coach who has just moved to town. Hope's assistant, Marine (Michaela Jae Rodriguez), acts as her assistant and 'publicity manager', and reacts as strongly as Hope when a vicious online hack attack goes beyond the business and into the realm of personal, jeopardizing the business and Hope's reputation.

The supporting cast includes John Billingsley, Wendie Malick, Ella Balinska, and Jesse Salor, and we can't help but notice the too-frequent segments featuring over-the-top acting ... perhaps in an effort to spice up the messy story. There is a definite 1980's cable movie vibe to this one, exacerbated by the overbearing music employed to heighten tension. We recognize the themes here with Ms. Banks' character frantically grasping for fame, protecting her reputation, and fearing her dreams may be shattered - all while believing a rival is sabotaging her. Of course, we know early on what's happening, and it's frustrating when a smart businesswoman is so oblivious. There is enough to watch here, but it certainly needed more to be the thriller it wants to be.

Opening in theaters August 16, 2024.

This crime thriller tells a story about a smart but stupid business woman. She's smart about business, but stupid about her social life. She didn't have any idea who to trust and unfortunately took the wrong person to do so. There's a little bit of mystery in the first half of the film, but the answer came soon after. There wasn't any plot twists. If you could see who's the sketchy one, you'd be able to predict who's the main perpetrator before the answer was even shown. I feel like for a thriller, there's not enough thrill in this movie. I only got mild thrills and chills from it. So if you're hoping to get a good scare by watching this, you'd be disappointed. But acting-wise, it was pretty good from most actors. Elizabeth Banks was brilliant, I've always liked her movies. So far, everything with her in it, is interesting to watch. Even when she's just the supporting actress.

Wow, this a shocker. I wasted 1 and half hours over this.

Turn it off now.

First of, it wasn't a thriller, it not a horror nor a comedy.

Secondly, there was no story, no likeable characters.

Thirdly just bad story writing.

Acting was good, but there is no story line. It reminds me of a fantasy movie with no fantasy. Don't waste a minute on this.

It had everything going for it stars, acting, beginning but it drops of the plant.

My review is to short. It just goes nowhere an infuriates a watcher that we the viewer have to try to understand their story which only makes sense in their eyes.

It could have been interesting. Not even a HALLMARK movie is this bad.

I don't know how others have given it more than one!!!!!

Things are definitely on the rise for Hope Goldman, beautician to the stars and set to launch her own brand of luxury, Italian skincare, but there's a fly in the ointment, directly opposite her business, Angel Vergara opens up a rival firm.

The elements are definitely here, I'm a fan of Elizabeth Banks, I'm always interested by the world of skincare, definitely a hell of a competitive market

It's billed as a dark comedy, but in no way is this even remotely funny, it's more in the thriller with a twist genre, but it doesn't really fulfill its brief.

In skincare terms, you've come here for Dior Prestige, but you're given a bit of Amazon basics, it does the job, but there's nothing special about it, it's just functional.

It's not as bad as some people are saying, elements of it are decent, after a fluffy, superficial beginning, it does improve. The story does get a bit messy, the ending is a bit all over the place, but overall, it's watchable.

6/10.

Austin Peters' first feature film invites us to enter the world of skin care and a toxic narcissistic environment that is soaked in a pleasant dose of black humor, even when it makes horrible decisions.

It is a journey with ups and downs, but it is delivered by an inspired Elizabeth Banks who shines with her own light and carries on her shoulders, a thriller that in the cunning of her interpretation makes the darkest moments of the film shine; it is not that the film is flawed, it is quite acceptable and becomes pleasant as we enter into the deep intrigue that professes its story. However, there are moments in which the film is somewhat complicated in carrying out the whole journey well to reach its final climax.

The script does a great job of conveying the particularly feminine paranoia of its protagonist, but its plot doesn't quite fit together to keep it constantly on top without making certain decisions noticeable that end up taking away the power that it seems to carry with elegance at times.

Despite the script's limitations, it should not be completely discarded, especially because of the encouraging staging of its director, who demonstrates an elegant handling of visual aesthetics and complements his work with the gratifying photography of Christopher Ripley who manages to immerse this entire journey in a pleasant thriller that at times recalls that eighties style on screen that turns out to be quite gratifying.

A fulfilling film that has its moments that make it worthy of a chance.

I for one have always been a fan of suspense and drama like thrillers, and this new independent release "Skincare" fits all of those themes as it is a thrilling and entertaining ride. Set in the city of angels and glitz and look glamour of "Los Angeles" you have the attractive and successful Hope Goldman(the good and excellent Elizabeth Banks) who runs a high end aestheician business, only a competitor appears as a rival named Angel Vergara opens a shop across the street from her. And soon it's more than competition that Hope has to worry about as one by one her life and world becomes twisted and unraveled as nothing or no one is who they seem, Hope is shattered in an online like form she's been hacked her identity and privacy has been invaded. This movie becomes more than just a cosmetics and look good story, it turns into a dangerous cat and mouse game drama suspense thriller! So if you like Hitchcock style or stalker like thrillers then "Skincare" is one entertaining film to watch plus Elizabeth Banks gives an A game performance.

First of all, the tag for this film on this site is misleading. It's categorized as a thriller, but it's more a dark comedy.

This film follows an aesthetician who, after launching her skincare line and opening her store, begins to suspect that someone is trying to sabotage her. Elizabeth Banks is good as the lead, as are the supporting actors Lewis Pullman and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez. But even their good acting can't save this film. That's not to say that this is a bad film by any means, because it's not. But it's just kind of mediocre, middling, just okay. It's all really predictable and feels generic. You know who the bad guy is early on in the film, ruining much of the building tension. There aren't even any twists and turns to make the story very interesting. And the choice to make this campy and humorous throughout really fell flat. Much of the humor wasn't funny and worse yet, totally destroyed a lot of the suspense. This would've worked as a straight dramatic thriller.

If you're an Elizabeth Banks fan, this is worth checking out. There's nothing really new here. It's just an average, maybe slightly above average, film. Good acting, weak writing, and very predictable.

Skincare features Elizabeth Banks as Hope Goldman. Hope Goldman is the big gal in the skincare profession in Hollywood. She has a successful business and a popular line of skincare products. Hope has it made!

A new tenant, Angel, arrives across the street from Hope's business. She goes across the street to welcome him to the neighborhood and discovers that he is in the same line of work as she is. Angel is a rising star in the skincare world and starts to overshadow Hope.

Before long Hope's email is hacked and nasty messages are sent to all of her clients. This costs Hope clients. She finds her tires slashed one night too. Hope's world is falling apart. Who is to blame? Hope suspects Angel is ruining her life, but is he?

Skincare is part dark comedy and part thriller.

For the record, this reviewer is a fan. Banks even made it to my list of all time best-films, with WALK OF SHAME. At the peak of her career she had a hammerlock on her niche. And she had a solid fanbase. In Hollywood, it is normal to see actors making a comeback, often by taking a role outside of their comfort zone and making it sizzle. There is no sizzle here. This a low-budget and generally weak effort to create a slow-build thriller around the travails of -- wait for it -- a former fashioniste trying to rebuild her own career. Banks looks uncomfortable and awkward for the entire film. No one in the cast shines. Worst of all, no audience connection at all. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))