MovieChat Forums > The Reflecting Skin (1990) Discussion > Could somebody recommend a film in the s...

Could somebody recommend a film in the same spirit as Reflecting Skin?

posted 21 years ago by uutuus
51 replies | jump to latest

I enjoyed this film very much, the slow pace, the disturbing
theme and how the landscape had a large role in the film.
I haven't seen many other films like this, others than Urga (the Sign of Love I think is the English title) and the Winterguest, Alan Rickman's beautiful film.

Please, tell me some names of other films like these!

There are many films that are set in a beautiful landscape but where this is used more as a sidescene than something that is central to the story.
The whole film can limp because the characters in a film are set in an environment they don't react to or seem like a part of. For some reason some epic films set in the countryside have stepped into this trap.

[–] JDHOPPER66 19 years ago

The Secret Rapture. Depresso-Beautiful.

[–] Artpix 19 years ago

Watch a film called "Leolo", I'm sure you will enjoy it just as much. Let me know?

[–] uutuus 19 years ago

It warms my heart to see that this thread (that I started two years ago) lives on, with serious recommendations and a good discussion.

Thank you all!!!

Of the latest recommendations
Vigil, Tideland (Gilliam), Northfolk, Wicker Man, Parents, Secret Rapture and Léolo are all films I haven't seen.
Tideland and Secret Rapture are the only ones I had heard of before, and thanks to you lot I have now heard of the rest and have something to look for, or will recognize if I stumble upon a mentioned title in the video store or on tv.
It's nice that some of these films and others earlier mentioned take a grip on the comic side of childhood and other miserable subjects. I could see more of good films that bring up the (necessary?) tension between seriousness and humour.

Some good films that could suit on this thread are (with very few opportunities for laughter, though):

The Return (Vozvrashcheniye)http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0376968/
One of those films that creates an almost meditative concentration with the viewer. The film has a very good story.

The Quiet Room http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117422/
By Rolf de Heer who also made the wonderful Alexandra's Project (and eh, Bad Boy Bubby)

Lilja 4-ever http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0300140/
An uncompromising film filled with rage and sadness, one of the most important films I have ever seen.

[–] NateManD 19 years ago

Viva La Muerte (1970) Fernando Arrabal
(All about a little boy groing up in Franco era Spain, and his surreal psychadelic nightmares)

[–] Erwin-6 19 years ago

Michael Tolkin's "THE RAPTURE"

[–] smoke0 18 years ago

These two films use more claustrophobic settings that mirror the children's somewhat distorted perspectives: (I don't see that anyone has mentioned these, so forgive the redundancy if I missed a post that included them) "Afraid of the Dark", and "Careful, He Might Hear You".

[–] AmandaByNight 18 years ago

I love Afraid of the Dark! In fact, I love a lot of the movies mentioned and am now going to look for a few of the others.

I haven't seen the Reflecting Skin in over 10 years, but the first movie that came to mind was Jack Be Nimble with Alexis Arquette. Amazing film. So worth checking out. Not sure if it's on DVD though.

Amanda By Night

[–] djsmokingjam 18 years ago

The only issues of Jack Be Nimble on DVD are OOP pan&scan releases in the US and Spain. I wouldn't compare it to Reflecting Skin at all, but it's a creepy movie well worth checking out.

[–] raphael0033 18 years ago

You should try "Fists in the pocket" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059619

[–] a-moss 18 years ago

New Gilliam movie: Tideland.

[–] NateManD 18 years ago

The Devil's Backbone (2001) Guillermo Del Toro
(I'm surprised no one has mentioned this film yet. Very creepy and beatiful)

Badlands (1973) Terrence Malick
(Highly underrated crime drama similar to Bonnie & Clyde and Natural Born Killers. Not bizarre, but has atmospheric dreamlike cinematography. The scenery reminded me of "The Reflecting Skin".

Valerie and her Week of Wonders (1970) Jaromil Jires
(Awesome Dark Czech Fairy Tale)

Kytice (2000) (aka. wild flowers)
(Another extremly dark Czech folk lore movie)
(available at www.superhappyfun.com)

Swallowtail Butterfly (1996)
(Awesome Japanese coming of age drama. Like City of God meets Kids)
(also available at www.superhappyfun.com)

Was "City of God" mentioned yet?

[–] final_cut 18 years ago

There is a French movie called Olivier, Olivier (1992) that strongly reminded me of this one. Highly recommended!

[–] IDinProgress 18 years ago

Olivier Olivier didn't really remind me of The Reflecting Skin, not in plot anyway. When the brother and sister are playing the trick on the neighbor in the beginning, yeah, that kind of made me think of The Reflecting Skin. And the fact that both involved child rape and murder.

[–] YesYesNo 18 years ago

Spanish film called Spirit of the Beehive is kinda like this, but much more subtle and brooding rather than blaring, obvious and parodic.

Bad Boy Bubby is a total hoot, no less perverse and removed from the world we know than Reflecting Skin, but quite a bit more restrained and honest as well.

In a Glass Cage is another Spanish film. Dark, sadistic, brimming with horror and wickedness, but too misanthropic for my taste.

Joshua is a new film that premiered at Sundance about a very twisted boy. It teeters giddily on the edge of uncomfortable, comical weirdness but has a more typical 'slasher' denouement.

[–] Kennethstruck 17 years ago

Boy, you've received so many responses, but I've two other films not mentioned - CLEAN SHAVEN & BUTTERFLY KISS, the themes are different but the disturbing tone is similar. Both stay with you long after viewing.

[–] feverchant 17 years ago

Picnic at Hanging Rock
:)