The Serpent’s Skin is a classic tale of horror. Anna (Alexandra McVicker, Vice Principals) has left her hometown and moved in with her sister. Before long, she meets Gen (Avalon Fast, Honeycomb) and bonds with her thanks to the supernatural abilities they both have. Things are going great until a demonic force suddenly appears.
Director Alice Maio Mackay continues to be a prolific force in indie genre cinema. At twenty-one years old, The Serpent’s Skin is her sixth film. She practices the kind of DIY guerilla filmmaking that is not seen today. This means that despite the more extreme aspects of the story, there is always a grounded feel to the characters. This makes the film very relatable.
A recurring theme in Mackay’s work has been transphobia and the idea of being a trans person getting by in today’s world. The Serpent’s Skin is no different as Anna is a trans woman trying to start a new life. Here, the script does not call much attention to it. Anna stating she is trans is the extent of it. Everyone she meets is accepting of who she is. Not making it a point of discussion is the strongest statement that can be made. Anna is an ordinary person dealing with extraordinary circumstances.
This means that the plot takes center stage. Perhaps better described as a romantic thriller, The Serpent’s Skin focuses more on Anna and Gen than the actual terror until the final act. Mackay’s youth comes through in some painful dialogue and erratic pacing, but she has proven again she has the potential to be something special.
The Serpent’s Skin opens in limited theaters March 27.
