"Skincare," directed by Austin Peters, is a glossy but ultimately shallow crime thriller that struggles to balance its mix of satire and suspense. Elizabeth Banks shines as Hope Goldman, a successful aesthetician whose life unravels after a series of attacks threaten her career and reputation. Despite Banks' compelling performance, the film's plot, which involves a rivalry with a fellow facialist and a web of harassment, quickly veers into melodrama. Though the setup teases an intriguing exploration of the beauty industry's darker side, the narrative fails to deliver anything deeper, relying instead on increasingly improbable twists and turns.
While the film boasts a sleek, 80s-inspired aesthetic and moments of dark comedy, its uneven tone and underdeveloped characters prevent it from becoming the sharp satire it could have been. The final act devolves into a predictable series of betrayals, and the rushed conclusion undermines the tension that was built earlier in the film. Despite its surface-level appeal and some entertaining moments, "Skincare" ultimately feels more like a missed opportunity than a truly impactful thriller.
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