← Back to explore

The Skin I Live In

2011 · Movie · R · 120 min · ★ 7.5 · 76% critics

DramaHorrorMysteryThriller

After a fire claims his family, a plastic surgeon becomes consumed with creating synthetic skin that can withstand damage. His work leads to growing suspicion from colleagues and a volatile, mysterious woman who seems tied to his obsession and the secret behind the breakthrough.

Based on Tarantula

Also known as La peau que j'habite

IMDb

Where to watch

Not currently available to stream in the US.

2 hours to watch.

Rent

Amazon Prime VideoHD
Rent →

Buy

Amazon Prime VideoHD
Buy →

Streaming availability and prices may be inaccurate or change — verify with the provider before subscribing.

unSUB's subscription recommendations are informational only, not financial advice.

More value for your money

Similar titles, ranked by watch-hours per subscription dollar.

Details
Original title
La piel que habito
Years
2011
Release date
2011-08-17
Language
Spanish
Rated
R
Runtime
120 min
Critic score
76/100
TMDB rating
7.5/10 (4,635 votes)
Box office
$30,800,000
Budget
$13,500,000
About

You’ll like this if you want an intense, dark thriller with disturbing body-horror elements and lingering psychological tension; Not for you if you’re squeamish, dislike brutal themes, or want a fully logical, neatly paced story—similar to The Orphanage or The Devil's Backbone.

Pros: intense, disturbing tension; bold performances; unique dark atmosphere | Cons: brutal, uncomfortable content; story can feel illogical; plot pacing issues

Themes

  • mask
  • based on novel or book
  • madrid, spain
  • isolation
  • obsession
  • face transplant
  • plastic surgery
  • half-brother
  • sex change
  • revenge
  • dress
  • plastic surgeon
  • +4 more

Awards & recognition

  • BAFTA Award — Best Film Not in the English Language · 2012
  • Goya Award — Best New Actor · 2012
  • Goya Award — Best Original Score · 2012
  • Goya Award — Best Actress · 2012
  • Goya Award — Best Makeup and Hairstyles · 2012
Show all 27 awards →
  • Saturn Award — Best International Film · 2011
  • BAFTA Award — Best Film Not in the English Language · 2012 · nominated
  • Goya Award — Best Special Effects · 2012 · nominated
  • Goya Award — Best New Actor · 2012 · nominated
  • Goya Award — Best Original Score · 2012 · nominated
  • Goya Award — Best Art Direction · 2012 · nominated
  • Goya Award — Best Actor · 2012 · nominated
  • Goya Award — Best Costume Design · 2012 · nominated
  • Goya Award — Best Film · 2012 · nominated
  • Goya Award — Best Sound · 2012 · nominated
  • Goya Award — Best Cinematography · 2012 · nominated
  • Goya Award — Best Editing · 2012 · nominated
  • Goya Award — Best Director · 2012 · nominated
  • Goya Award — Best New Actress · 2012 · nominated
  • Goya Award — Best Adapted Screenplay · 2012 · nominated
  • Goya Award — Best Actress · 2012 · nominated
  • Goya Award — Best Production Supervision · 2012 · nominated
  • BIFA — Best Foreign Independent Film · 2011 · nominated
  • Broadcast Film Critics Association Award — Best Foreign Language Film · 2011 · nominated
  • European Film Award — Best Composer · 2011 · nominated
  • European Film Award — Best Production Designer · 2011 · nominated
  • Golden Globe Award — Best Non-English Language Film · 2011 · nominated

Cast & crew

Directed by Pedro Almodóvar