Cold Skin (2017), directed by Xavier Gens, is a Spanish-French-Belgian horror film adapted from Albert Sรกnchez Piรฑolโs 2002 novel of the same name. Set in 1914, the story follows a young man, referred to as โFriendโ (played by David Oakes), who is assigned to a remote, isolated island as a weather observer. Upon his arrival, he discovers that the island is anything but peaceful. It is home to strange, amphibious, humanoid creatures that emerge from the sea each night to attack those who reside there.
As the islandโs only human inhabitants, Friend and his mysterious, reclusive companion, Gruner (played by Ray Stevenson), form an uneasy alliance in the face of nightly assaults from the creatures. Gruner, a hardened survivor of many such attacks, has lived on the island for years and developed a ruthless way of dealing with the creatures. His deep understanding of the situation, coupled with his violent, obsessive behavior, creates tension between the two men. Friend, however, is a newcomer who is more hopeful and compassionate, and the contrast between them highlights the filmโs exploration of isolation, human nature, and survival.
The creatures, known as โthe Skin,โ are central to the story, representing both physical threats and deeper philosophical questions. While their monstrous forms and their repeated attacks drive the plot, the film also uses them as a metaphor for the unknown and the primal fears that lie at the core of human existence. The Skin are not just enemies but symbols of humanityโs potential for cruelty, fear of the unknown, and the existential struggle for survival in an indifferent world.
Over time, Friend and Gruner are forced to confront not only the creatures but also their own inner demons. As they struggle to survive, they grapple with the ethics of their actions, particularly as their encounters with the creatures force them to question the nature of violence and self-preservation. The isolation of the island becomes a microcosm for human society at large, where the boundary between civilization and barbarism is fragile and often easily crossed.
Visually, Cold Skin is atmospheric and eerie, with the remote, desolate island setting providing a sense of constant danger and claustrophobia. The creatures, designed with a mix of practical effects and CGI, are a key part of the filmโs unsettling atmosphere. The ocean, fog, and the islandโs dark, unwelcoming terrain are used to heighten the feeling of unease, as the environment itself seems to be in a perpetual state of hostility.
The film also explores themes of alienation, loneliness, and the human condition. The island serves as a metaphor for the emotional and psychological isolation that both protagonists experience. Friend, a man who arrives with a sense of hope, finds himself quickly thrust into a brutal world where survival requires the abandonment of compassion. Gruner, on the other hand, has long since shed any illusions of morality in his quest for survival.
In addition to the survival aspect, Cold Skin is a meditation on the nature of the other โ how people view and respond to beings that are different or unknown. It critiques the human tendency to dehumanize and demonize what is not understood, reflecting broader themes of xenophobia, violence, and the fragility of civilization. The Skin, in their monstrous form, are not just โmonstersโ in the traditional sense, but creatures driven by instinct, much like humans themselves.
Ultimately, the film presents a grim, philosophical exploration of how individuals cope with extreme circumstances. It questions the lengths one will go to in order to survive and whether survival at all costs is truly worth the moral compromises it often entails. The psychological toll of isolation and constant threat leaves both characters irrevocably changed, with the filmโs conclusion suggesting that the battle for survival may be a losing one, not just against the creatures, but against the darker parts of human nature itself.
Cold Skin is a film that blends horror and existential philosophy, using its unique setting and creature-driven narrative to delve into complex themes. Its bleak atmosphere and compelling character dynamics offer a thought-provoking exploration of survival, morality, and what it means to be human in a world that seems indifferent to both humanity and its struggles.