Pedro Almodovar’s latest offering sees the return of some familiar themes for the Spanish director, in this portrayal of a Spanish plastic surgeon.
The surgeon, played by Antonio Banderas, has developed a new type of skin that could be used to help burns victims recover from terrible injury and disfigurement. He appears to be experimenting in secret on a mysterious young woman he keeps captive in his home.
As the plot unfolds, we are asked to question constructions of identity and the self, and examine the relationship between captor and captive. Science, too, plays an important role, and raises questions about ethical boundaries and transgression, as the surgeon takes the role of god in his captive’s life.
This is a dark and macabre thriller that is beautifully filmed and definitely worth a watch.