Ask anyone if they have even heard of the 2023 film “Skinamarink” and they will likely be confused about what you just said. Specifically asking, “Skin-a-ma-what?”
In the rare case they do, opinion(s) of the film will surely be divided. In my humble opinion, you will either love this movie (your confusion throughout the movie lends to that enjoyment), or you will think of it as an hour and a half of your life that you will never get back. Read on and I will explain the reasons for which side you may fall.
Where did the title “Skinamarink” come from?
You can’t discuss “Skinamarink” until you get this question out of the way. As a child of the 80’s, I instantly recognized the name from an old children’s show, “The Elephant Show.” Unless you wish to have an obnoxious ear-worm song stuck in your head for the next week, I recommend refraining from listening to the theme song. You’ve been warned….
However, it goes a bit deeper than that. In an interview with Jezebel, first time director Kyle Edward Ball gives insight:
Its title derives from the song “Skidamarink” (aka “Skid-dy-mer-rink-adink-aboomp” aka “Skiddy-Mer-Rink-A-Doo”), which Ball was surprised to hear in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, as he had assumed it originated with the Canadian trio Sharon, Lois & Bram, who popularized it on their ‘80s children’s program The Elephant Show. “I researched it and saw it’s actually from the turn of the [20th] century, and the word stuck in my head,” Ball said. “And I thought that would be an excellent working title for the movie, because it’s sentimental—feels personal to me, but personal to others. It evokes childhood. It’s nonsensical.” The working title eventually stuck.
What is the movie about?
It’s official synopsis: Two children wake up in the middle of the night to find their father is missing, and all the windows and doors in their home have vanished.
Simply put, it gets weird.
There are basically 4 characters in this film:
- The two children, Kevin and his sister Kaylee
- Their mom and dad.
Kevin and his little sister Kaylee are awake in the middle of the night watching cartoons in the basement. Toys, windows, doors and even the toilet start to disappear. Strange voices and sounds from the darkness are heard.
Some brief and bizarre interactions with their parents take place upstairs. You begin to question if there is some sort of paranormal entity in the house. The children seemingly are unable to escape with the disappearing windows and doors. Yet, they aren’t exactly trying to escape.
Reasons you may like this movie
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- “Found-Footage” like vibe, but not really knowing if this is found-footage at all.
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- Subtle or bizarre paranormal occurrences. “Less” is truly “more.”
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- Eerie visuals
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- A truly uncomfortable feeling at all times
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- You may find it’s unique film style refreshing
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- You have no idea what’s going on
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- There are more questions than answers
Reasons you may not like this movie
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- It’s a real SLOW burn. When I say slow burn, I mean there are tons of 45 second scenes of just looking at a ceiling or hallway.
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- If you need action and compelling visuals, you will not make it through this movie
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- Virtually limited to no dialogue
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- You don’t see anyone’s face (except a partial view of the little boy Kevin).
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- You have no idea what’s going on
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- There are more questions than answers
And finally…….What does it all mean?
The genius behind the film is that it’s open to the viewers interpretation. There are at least a handful of theories that can be concluded, and you’re bound to go down the rabbit hole of each one.
I’m not going to spoil it for you here, however, once you are done watching you are definitely going to be seeking some answers.Check out Scary Studies for a breakdown of theories: Major spoilers here!
Rating of Skinamarink 3/5I can’t decide if I love or hate it because it was a slow burn. Yet, I was also entranced because I couldn’t quite process what the hell I was even watching.Movies are entertainment. If whatever I’m watching is thought– provoking, not only am I entertained but it has me thinking.For that alone, it’s a worthy watch. Additionally, who comes up with this stuff? Writer/director Kevin Edward Ball did and I kind of think it’s brilliant.My 3-star review is due to the subjectiveness of each viewer. I don’t want to tell you it’s a must-see and you can’t get past the first 20 minutes. For those who do get past the first 20 minutes, then Skinamarink just may be for youWhere can you watch?
Watch Skinamarink with a subscription on Hulu, rent on Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, Apple TV, or buy on Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, Apple TV.
- There are more questions than answers
