Drama,Horror,Thriller
United Kingdom,Canada
The Reflecting Skin is a 1990 British-Canadian independent film directed by Philip Ridley. The story takes place in the remote countryside of Idaho during the 1950s. Seth Dove, an eight-year-old boy, lives on a farm with his parents and his older brother Cameron. Seth is fascinated by death and the supernatural, and his father's stories of vampires and other monsters only fuel his imagination.
When Seth's brother becomes infatuated with a beautiful widow named Dolphin Blue, Seth becomes convinced that she is a vampire. His vivid fantasies cause him to interpret things that he sees as evidence of her evil nature. He also believes that his brother is in danger and becomes determined to protect him from Dolphin's supposed dark powers.
As the summer progresses, the small town is hit with a series of tragedies that further fuel Seth's fears. He becomes increasingly isolated and disturbed, and his behavior becomes more erratic and dangerous. Ultimately, he is forced to confront the reality of his situation and come to terms with his own demons.
The Reflecting Skin is a dark and atmospheric film that explores childhood innocence, the fear of death and the power of imagination. The film was well-received by critics and has since become a cult classic. It features a strong performance from eight-year-old Viggo Mortensen in one of his first major roles.
