Thriller Spoilers

In Her Skin (I Am You)

Published in 2009, In Her Skin is an Australian thriller-drama, based on a true story. When fifteen-year-old Rachel Barber goes missing, her parents set out to find her and figure out what may have happened to their “perfect child”. Little do they know, Rachel’s old baby-sitter has re-appeared into her life and holds dear terrible secret about their daughter’s whereabouts. Told through the eyes of the victim, the victim’s parents and the baby-sitter, In Her Skin slowly unravels the motive behind Rachel’s disappearance. Exploring ideas of suspense, mystery and psychological damage, In Her Skin looks closely at the power that comes with obsession and the extreme lengths that will be ventured to achieve “happiness”. Rachel’s parents are concerned about their daughter’s sudden disappearance and are on a frantic search throughout the film, stopping at nothing until they find an answer to this event, which almost sends them both into a state of shock and mental instability.

 

The Roommate

This American thriller starring Minka Kelly and Leighton Meester explores ideas of friendship, jealousy, mental disorders and obsession. The Roommate bases its stratagem around two girls who start college and are paired up to share a room together. Through the eyes of one of the girls, Sara, a genuine friendship blossoms between them, but with the other, Rebecca, something much more severe and passionate is being painted. As the film progresses, the girls learn more about each other resulting in what appears to be a stronger friendship, but as Sara forms relationships with other individuals also, Rebecca becomes determined to keep her roommate to herself. Excessive tactics and procedures are carried out to ensure that this sacred friendship isn’t “contaminated” by others, regardless of potential consequences. When Sara learns there’s a more psychological background for these schemes, she becomes aware she has to end things with Rebecca. Told through the perspective of both characters, the emotions, motives and dynamics are evident throughout the film, creating an atmosphere of suspense, mystery and the slow unraveling of obsession.

 

Inception

Released in 2010, writer and director Christopher Nolan brings to life a science fiction thriller that focuses on the themes of espionage, influencing the subconscious and conning the powerful. Dom and Arthur are trained con artists who specialize in extracting information from their targets by gaining access to their subconscious by sedation and the insinuation of lucid dreaming. A Japanese business man takes interest in their work and requests their assistance on an idea he has to detach a contending company, and in return Dom would no longer have murder charges against him. Gathering up a team of dream specialists, Dom and Arthur prepare themselves for the most dangerous and complex project they’ve worked on yet. Leaning heavily to features of science-fiction, Inception fixates on the design of a three-layered dream to benefit the characters’ lives when they finally wake and how corporate manipulation can be used for a positive impact. “The past comes back to haunt you” is a significant theme in this film, demonstrated by the re-occurrence of Dom’s ex-wife - a projection of his memories that tries to sabotage their missions. With copious amounts of suspense, the team go through collective and individual endeavors, all for the sake of experience, wealth and redemption.