Director Austin Peters debuts with “Skincare,” a dark L.A. noir film set in the beauty industry, featuring Elizabeth Banks as a celebrity aesthetician facing a downfall in her career. The movie captures the grim and satirical essence of a city focused on appearances, similar to “Nightcrawler” or “American Gigolo”, executed with finesse by Peters.
The portrayal of Los Angeles in “Skincare” is not the usual glamorous fantasy, but rather gritty and revealing, with harsh lighting emphasizing Hope Goldman’s (Banks) struggles as a facialist. The film reflects a city obsessed with image through fluorescent lights, UV rays, and neon signs.
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Hope’s financial struggles impact her professional life as she aims to launch her own skincare line. While dealing with competition and a mysterious stalker, Hope’s world begins to unravel, leading her to rely on questionable allies like a news anchor, mechanic, and a new acquaintance, Jordan.
The narrative alternates between Hope’s downfall and Jordan’s delusional aspirations of heroism, creating a tension that drives the film forward. Despite some weaknesses in the script, the film excels in its aesthetics, capturing the essence of a sleazy ’80s-style thriller with a convincing performance by Banks and Pullman as they navigate the dark side of “Skincare.”
MPA rating: R (for sexual content, graphic nudity, language throughout, some violence and brief drug use)
Running time: 1 hour, 37 minutes
How to watch: In theaters
