Cold Skin

Cold Skin is a 2017 Spanish science fiction horror film directed by Xavier Gens and based on the 2002 novel of the same name by Albert Haemmerlé. The story follows a young, unnamed man, played by Marwan Kenzari, who arrives on the remote Bellows Island, seeking refuge from the turmoil of his past. As the protagonist disembarks from his ship, he is met with the harsh yet beautiful landscape of the island. A lighthouse keeper, played by David O'Hara, takes him in, but a series of inexplicable and terrifying events unfolds. The lighthouse keeper is an enigmatic figure with a dark and troubled past, and as the days pass, the young man begins to unravel the mysteries of the island. Unbeknownst to the protagonist, the island is home to a supernatural entity, known as "The Creature," a monstrous being with an insatiable thirst for human blood. The lighthouse keeper seems to be aware of the creature's existence and warns the young man to stay indoors, citing the dangers of the creature's presence outside. However, as the days pass, the protagonist becomes increasingly frustrated and restless, yearning for freedom and adventure. He soon finds himself at odds with the lighthouse keeper, who seems to be manipulating him and using his fragile mental state to maintain his control over the island. The lighthouse keeper reveals to the protagonist that he has been stuck on the island for 25 years, and the solitude and confinement have taken a severe toll on his mental health. As the protagonist delves deeper into the lighthouse keeper's past, he begins to uncover the dark secrets that have driven the man to the brink of madness. The creature, a massive, tentacled beast with an otherworldly aura, becomes more aggressive and brazen, terrorizing the island and threatening the young man's life. The lighthouse keeper, realizing that the creature is closing in on them, devises a desperate plan to protect the protagonist and himself from the creature's deadly attack. In the climactic final act of the film, the protagonist finds himself fighting for survival against the creature, while the lighthouse keeper attempts to hold on to reality. As the battle rages on, the young man begins to question his own sanity and reality, wondering whether the creature and the lighthouse keeper are mere figments of his imagination or if they are real entities that pose a genuine threat to his existence. The film culminates in a heart-stopping confrontation between the protagonist and the creature, with the lighthouse keeper playing a pivotal role in the outcome. As the dust settles, the young man emerges victorious but scarred, his perception of reality forever altered by the horrors he has witnessed on the island. In the end, the lighthouse keeper, having revealed the dark secrets of the island, takes a final, desperate step to escape the creature and the confinement that has driven him mad. The protagonist, having come to terms with his own sanity and the reality of the creature's existence, departs the island, forever changed by the experiences he had on the remote and isolated Bellows Island. Throughout the film, Xavier Gens weaves a rich tapestry of mystery, suspense, and horror, keeping the audience guessing and on the edge of their seats. The cinematography is breathtaking, capturing the desolate beauty of the island and the isolation that comes with it. The performances of the cast are outstanding, bringing depth and nuance to the characters and their complex motivations. Cold Skin is a thought-provoking and atmospheric horror film that will appeal to fans of science fiction and thriller genres. With its intricate plot, stunning visuals, and standout performances, it stands as a testament to the power of storytelling in the horror genre.