The blurb- ‘A brilliant yet tortured plastic surgeon creates a type of synthetic skin which is resistant to any damage. But his guinea pig is a mysterious woman who holds the key to his past and obsessions.’

For this movie, director Pedro Almodóvar said he wanted to create a ‘horror story without screams or frights’. And he does, effortlessly. I’m going to be VERY careful about the plot as I don’t want to ruin anything for anyone investigating this movie. You know the adage about boiling frogs? If you place them in boiling water they hop out again but if you place them in cold water and then slowly increase the temperature, they’ll boil to death. That applies here.

With sumptuous set designs, excellent casting (especially Antonio Banderas, reunited with Almodóvar for the first time in 21 years, and Elena Anaya) and the usual drama that Almodóvar infuses into his films, this is a quietly disturbing film that builds and builds until…I’ll leave it there.

This would make a great double-bill with Les Yeux Sans Visage.

4.5 out of 5 stars