Skincare

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.