In My Mother's Skin

In the Philippines during World War II, a young girl named Tarsilo is left to care for her ailing mother when her father abandons them. As her mother's condition worsens, Tarsilo encounters a terrifying, flesh-eating fairy who offers a pact: the fairy will mend her mother's flesh, but Tarsilo must feed the fairy with human flesh. Torn between saving her mother and succumbing to darkness, Tarsilo embarks on a perilous journey.

In My Mother's Skin garnered significant attention for its ambitious blend of folk horror, body horror, and a poignant mother-daughter narrative, set against the backdrop of a war-torn Philippines. While praised for its visual style and thematic depth, some critics found its pacing and narrative occasionally uneven.

• Praised for its unique cultural perspective and visceral horror elements.

• Applauded for its strong visual design and ambitious storytelling.

• Some found the narrative to be dense and occasionally slow-moving.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's originality, its unsettling atmosphere, and its blend of supernatural horror with grounded emotional drama. The film's striking visuals and its exploration of difficult themes resonated well with viewers.

Premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2023, receiving positive buzz.

The film draws heavily from Filipino folklore and mythology, particularly the concept of the 'aswang,' a shapeshifting creature often depicted as a cannibalistic monster.