A haunting, poetic exploration of trauma where two estranged childhood friends navigate the aftermath of sexual abuse through divergent paths of alien obsession and reckless prostitution, culminating in a heartbreaking reunion.
Mysterious Skin
"Two boys. One can't remember. The other can't forget."
Director:
Gregg Araki
Cast:
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Brady Corbet, Michelle Trachtenberg, Jeffrey Licon, Mary Lynn Rajskub
Drama
Budget:
$3,000,000
Box Office:
$2,148,548
Mysterious Skin - Characters & Cast
Character Analysis
Neil McCormick
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Motivation
To fill the emotional void left by his father's absence and to reclaim power over his sexuality.
Character Arc
Starts as a confident, sexually aggressive hustler who believes he was 'special' to his abuser. His journey involves the slow erosion of this delusion, leading to a breakdown where he must admit the 'love' was actually exploitation.
Brian Lackey
Brady Corbet
Motivation
To uncover the truth of the 'missing five hours' in his childhood.
Character Arc
Begins as a fearful, asexual introvert obsessed with aliens. He relentlessly pursues the truth of his 'abduction,' eventually finding the courage to hear the horrific reality from Neil.
Wendy
Michelle Trachtenberg
Motivation
To protect and save Neil from himself.
Character Arc
Neil's childhood friend who harbors a secret unrequited love for him. She moves to New York and tries to ground Neil, acting as his only link to a 'normal' life and genuine non-sexual intimacy.
Cast
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
as Neil McCormick
Brady Corbet
as Brian Lackey
Michelle Trachtenberg
as Wendy Peterson
Jeffrey Licon
as Eric Preston
Mary Lynn Rajskub
as Avalyn Friesen
Elisabeth Shue
as Mrs. McCormick
Lisa Long
as Mrs. Lackey
Bill Sage
as Coach
Chase Ellison
as Neil (Age 8)
George Webster
as Brian (Age 8)
Riley McGuire
as Wendy (Age 11)
Rachael Nastassja Kraft
as Deborah (Age 12)
Chris Mulkey
as Mr. Lackey
David Lee Smith
as Alfred
Kelly Kruger
as Deborah Lackey