In Her Skin (2009)

51% of users liked it
(879 ratings)

This is a true story: It's what every parent fears: their child not coming home when they're meant to. On the evening of March 1st, 1999 Rachel Barber, a fifteen year old student, doesn't climb off the tram to meet her dad, Mike. Elizabeth, her mother, and Mike bolt into action. This simple… More This is a true story: It's what every parent fears: their child not coming home when they're meant to. On the evening of March 1st, 1999 Rachel Barber, a fifteen year old student, doesn't climb off the tram to meet her dad, Mike. Elizabeth, her mother, and Mike bolt into action. This simple action-not coming home on time-is totally out of character. Something had gone wrong-something bad had happened to their daughter. Caroline Reed is nineteen and overwhelmed with self-hatred. Writing to her parents that she should have been aborted, she looks in the mirror and sees a fat, ugly, pimply, dirty misfit. Nobody likes her, least of all her father who ignores the barrage of mail she sends-a letter a day. Once Rachel's babysitter, Caroline has found an alter-ego that seems to fit neatly into what she wants to be: pretty, "a free-wheeling spirit", a confident, happy girl, a ballet dancer, the grand-daughter of famous Melbourne author, Ivan Southall. Caroline begins to stalk Rachel, noting her clothes, her movements. She applies for a new birth certificate. In Rachel's name-but with her address. Days roll by-a week passes. Elizabeth loses twenty kilos. Mike turns grey. Manni can't function. Almost two weeks later, a computer analyst with Missing Persons; DePyle, sees one of the posters on his way to work. Touched by the desperate effort of the parents he commences his own private investigation... it can't be official; there's no foul play. Will this crew unravel the mystery of Rachel's disappearance when the police are unwilling to? -- (C) IFC Films

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: Simone North
Written By: Simone North
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Drama

In Theaters: Feb 11, 2011 Limited
On DVD: Feb 11, 2011
Studio: IFC Films

Critic Reviews

Brian Orndorf, BrianOrndorf.com
It's on the sloppy side, but the primary textures of alarm are sustained and sharply performed, making for a gut-wrenching viewing experience with a foundation in reality that's too awful to bear.
Erik Childress, eFilmCritic.com
The makers of In Her Skin must be prepared to cut a check to anyone who ever read, wrote, made, or saw The Lovely Bones.
Sam Adams, AV Club
The first red flag is the opening title card, which reads "This is a true story." The use of "is" rather than "based on" or "inspired by" is a harbinger of the lack of perspective and humility that enables the film's most egregious excesses.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cynthia S

A well-acted, and disturbing, biodrama about the murder of an innocent teen by her jealous former baby sitter. Bradley excels as the tormented killer, as does Neill as her despondent and helpless father. I saw some reviews labeling this movie strange, and weird. I absolutely was… More
A well-acted, and disturbing, biodrama about the murder of an innocent teen by her jealous former baby sitter. Bradley excels as the tormented killer, as does Neill as her despondent and helpless father. I saw some reviews labeling this movie strange, and weird. I absolutely was enthralled with how this movie was portrayed. I found it haunting, and moving...maybe because I have daughters, and it hit home some of my deepest fears....
Doctor S

A gradual buildup of dread and punctuated outbursts of explosive rage mark this disturbing true story adaptation from Australia. What distinguishes <i>In Her Skin</i> from other true crime stories is the unusual identity of the perpetrator and the monstrous method in… More
A gradual buildup of dread and punctuated outbursts of explosive rage mark this disturbing true story adaptation from Australia. What distinguishes <i>In Her Skin</i> from other true crime stories is the unusual identity of the perpetrator and the monstrous method in which they carried out their senseless villainy. I think the less you know about the details of this case beforehand, the more emotional impact this movie will have in the moment, so I will not reveal them. Family unit Miranda Otto & Guy Pearce, who plays against type here, project a palpable combination of determination and desperation, while Ruth Bradley delivers an extremely brave & convincing performance. Her self-loathing rant in front of her father is one of the most powerful scenes I have witnessed in a long time.
d j

Weird!!!!! I agree with the critics

Cast

            Guy Pearce as Mike Barber

            Miranda Otto as Elizabeth Barber

            Ruth Bradley as Caroline Reid Robertson

            Sam Neill as David Reid

            Kate Bell as Rachel Barber

            Khan Chittenden as Manni

            Graeme Blundell as Ivan

            John K. Butler as Busker

            Justine Clarke as Irene

            Diana Craig as Joy

            Jack Finsterer as Patterson

            Rebecca Gibney as Gail

            Eugene Gilfedder as DePyle

            Jeremy Sims as McLean

            Steven Vidler as Drew

            Kelley Abbey as Zoe

            Melissa Anderson as Janice

            Paul Bishop as Doctor

            Paul Denny as Paramedic

            Damien Garvey as Box Hill Cop

            Stephen Jenkins as Richmond Cop

            Claude Minisini as Missing Persons Boss

            Veonica Neave as Yvonne

            Mia Storey as Mary

            Delaware North-Cavanaugh as Cate 8 years old

            Charlie North-Cavanaugh as Mourner

            Sally Christie as Ashleigh-Rose 11 years old

            Amber Ivers as Rachel 11 years old

            Michael J. Demarinis as Tony

            Grace Silvestri as Rosa

            Jacqui Hall as Susan

            Karen Elayna Price as Shoe Shop Keeper

            Jerome Velinsky as Dom

            Ross Macrae as Fireman

            Patrice Fidgeon as News Reporter

            Maya Aleksandra as Skye

            Terry Annesley as Thatcher

            Andrew Blain as Waddell

            Shayler Conder as Chrissy 13 years old

            Amanda Dettrick as Dianne

            Taryn Marler as Jenny

            Paris Morrissey as Ashleigh-Rose 8 years old

            Lily Sinclair as Rachel 8 years old

            Dana Harry as Heather 5 years old

            Toni Forrest as Heather 9 years old

            Karen Pert as Accountant

            Dena Kaplan as Pregnant Girl with Pram

            Tim Boyle as Policeman #4

            Dan Purdey as Missing Persons Cop

            John Wonnacott as Missing Persons Cop

            Deborah Knight as News Reader

            Diane Craig
            
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