Under the Skin
A moving personal story in which the anonymous central character describes the harrowing details of life with an eating disorder. L has suffered this condition for many years, and reveals what brought her to this point, along with her hopes and dreams for a brighter future. Professional experts discuss the reality of life for the many thousands who endure eating disorders.
The film disappointed at the box office against its limited budget of $13.3M, earning $7.2M globally (-46% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its compelling narrative within the documentary genre.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Under the Skin (2014) reveals carefully calibrated narrative design, characteristic of Jonathan Glazer's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 48 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The alien entity acquires human form - a woman's body is stripped and the alien assumes her identity, establishing the predatory status quo of the entity's mission on Earth.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when The alien encounters a severely disfigured man with neurofibromatosis at night. His profound loneliness and isolation from society presents something unexpected - genuine human vulnerability.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 28 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to The alien releases the disfigured man, letting him go free rather than consuming him. This act of mercy is her first autonomous choice that contradicts her mission - she crosses into questioning her purpose., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 81 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, A logger attempts to rape the alien in the forest. During the struggle, her human skin tears away, revealing her true alien form underneath - the death of her human disguise and the illusion that she could ever belong., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 87 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. The logger returns and douses her in gasoline. The alien realizes there is no escape or synthesis possible - humanity will destroy what it fears and cannot understand., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Under the Skin's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Under the Skin against these established plot points, we can identify how Jonathan Glazer utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Under the Skin within the documentary genre.
Jonathan Glazer's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Jonathan Glazer films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Under the Skin takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jonathan Glazer filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional documentary films include This Is England, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Ex Machina. For more Jonathan Glazer analyses, see The Zone of Interest, Birth.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The alien entity acquires human form - a woman's body is stripped and the alien assumes her identity, establishing the predatory status quo of the entity's mission on Earth.
Theme
The motorcyclist (her handler) silently observes her first interactions with humans, establishing the theme of alien observation and the question: what does it mean to be human?
Worldbuilding
The alien learns to operate in human society - driving the van, applying makeup, perfecting seduction techniques. We see her methodically hunting men in Glasgow, luring them to the black liquid void.
Disruption
The alien encounters a severely disfigured man with neurofibromatosis at night. His profound loneliness and isolation from society presents something unexpected - genuine human vulnerability.
Resistance
The alien continues her predatory routine but something shifts - she observes human behavior more closely, watches families, and processes the disfigured man's humanity. The routine hunting becomes tinged with nascent curiosity.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The alien releases the disfigured man, letting him go free rather than consuming him. This act of mercy is her first autonomous choice that contradicts her mission - she crosses into questioning her purpose.
Premise
The alien explores what it means to experience humanity - she attempts to eat human food, examines her own body in mirrors, experiences human environments. She's no longer just hunting; she's learning to feel.
Opposition
The alien flees her mission entirely, wandering the Scottish Highlands alone. The motorcyclist hunts for her. She's caught between two worlds - too human to continue killing, too alien to survive as human.
Collapse
A logger attempts to rape the alien in the forest. During the struggle, her human skin tears away, revealing her true alien form underneath - the death of her human disguise and the illusion that she could ever belong.
Crisis
The alien, exposed and terrified, tries to comprehend what she has become - neither fully alien nor human. She examines her torn skin in confusion and fear, processing the impossibility of her existence.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The logger returns and douses her in gasoline. The alien realizes there is no escape or synthesis possible - humanity will destroy what it fears and cannot understand.
Synthesis
The alien burns. As flames consume her human form, she experiences her final moments with the awareness she gained - the profound tragedy of briefly understanding humanity only to be destroyed by it.
Transformation
Snow falls on the burning remains. The alien who began as a cold predator dies having gained consciousness, empathy, and vulnerability - transformed by humanity even as humanity destroys her.