A24 A-to-Z: #7. "Under the Skin" (2014)

Scene from Under the Skin

In case you didn't know, A24 is one of the great purveyors of modern cinema. Since 2013, the studio has found a way to innovate independent cinema by turning each release into an event. As a result, A24 A-to-Z will be an ongoing series that looks at every release from the studio by analyzing its production history, release, criticisms, and any awards attention that it might've received. Join me on a quest to explore the modern heroes of cinema by exploring every hit and miss that comes with that magnificent logo. They may not all be great, but they more than make A24 what it is and what it will hopefully continue to be for ears to come.

Review: 'Under the Skin' is a Meditative Journey into this Majestic, Isolated World

Scarlett Johansson

Every now and then a film comes along that is so unnerving and ambiguous that it is impossible not to recognize. With striking visuals and a template of sound that stings the subconscious, art house films have had a rocky track record with getting their points across. With that said, director Jonathan Glazer's Under the Skin is one of those bizarre films that will likely crawl into your memory and implant itself. It is a sci-fi film, but only in the broadest sense of the word and does little to explain what is going on. It is a visceral exploration of humanity and isolation in ways that scenes of elaborate dialogues aren't likely to achieve. To a large extent, this is a film that challenges you to meditate and recognize the beauty and connectivity that makes this world so beautiful.