'Skincare' with Elizabeth Banks is a sleazy little movie. And that's a good thing
If it had come out 50 years ago, “Skincare” would have been one of those mildly scandalous, much-talked-about entries in the ABC Movie of the Week roster.
Instead, here we are in 2024, and “Skincare” instead arrives as a campy, fun thriller “inspired by” a real-life story, one that’s likely to come and go without much fanfare — though Elizabeth Banks’ performance deserves some.
Banks plays Hope Goldman, an aesthetician in Hollywood with a sterling clientele; director and co-writer Austin Peters zips through her rise to success before the opening credits are over. Now she’s about to launch her own line of beauty products. It’s an exciting time, punctuated by an interview with local anchor Brett Wright (Nathan Fillion, at his squirmy best).
What is the plot of 'Skincare'?
Then a few clouds start appearing on her well-manicured horizon. A new beauty and skincare shop opens across the street, owned by Angel (Luis Gerardo Méndez), who has a proprietary process that makes you look younger. He starts stealing some of Hope’s thunder — and her clients.
From there it’s a pretty rapid downward spiral. A sexually explicit email goes out to everyone in her address book. She begins showing up online as a sex worker offering rather specific services. Someone cuts her tires.
Naturally, Hope blames Angel. In the ultimate insult, Wright ditches Hope’s interview and runs one with Angel in its place.
Jordan (Lewis Pullman), a friend of a friend who is a life coach (or at least trying to be), offers to help Hope. Marine (Michaela Jaé Rodriguez), her assistant, tries to keep the business afloat amid competing disasters.
This is when Banks shines, as Hope gradually descends into an obsession with Angel. It’s one of those situations where you want to tell Hope that she’s about to make a big mistake (and another, and another), but she can’t see it because she is so determined to bring him down. In her mind it’s either her or him, and the way even her most-loyal clients start showing up across the street, she may be right. Banks makes the whole thing believable.
Is 'Skincare' based on a true story?
The case that inspired the film involves Dawn DaLuise, who was accused of hiring a hit man to kill a rival. She spent 10 months in jail and was acquitted in 2015. She later offered “Killer Facials,” and told the New York Post she plans to sue producers over the film. That sounds like the source for a pretty good movie, too (it even involves the “Bling Ring”).
“Skincare” is more the story of people making one head-bangingly bad decision after another — and not just Hope. Fillion is perfectly cast as a sleazy anchor who is used to getting his way. Pullman (the son of Bill Pullman) makes a complex character even more so. He keeps you guessing.
The supporting cast is a strength throughout. Erik Palladino plays a mechanic who is part of a long line of men who are attracted to Hope, who at the moment is far too distracted to pay attention. Wendie Malick, always welcome, drops in to inadvertently introduce Jordan to Hope while she’s there for a facial. He’s a lot younger than she is, yes, but she tells Hope men of his generation are too driven by their professional aspirations to be interested in sex, anyway.
It’s all got a nice patina of sleaze, as it should. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out who the culprit is (though the LAPD has its troubles), but it doesn’t matter. Peters even pays homage to “Sunset Boulevard” before it’s done.
This isn’t that, not by a long shot. But it is an entertaining little movie, and gives Banks the kind of role she deserve more of.
'Skincare' 3 stars
Great ★★★★★ Good ★★★★
Fair ★★★ Bad ★★ Bomb ★
Director: Austin Peters.
Cast: Elizabeth Banks, Lewis Pullman, Luis Gerardo Méndez.
Rating: R for sexual content, graphic nudity, language throughout, some violence and brief drug use.
How to watch: In theaters Friday, Aug. 16.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 'Skincare' review: A campy thriller where Elizabeth Banks glows