Perhaps the most disturbing film I have ever watched, Mysterious Skin still haunts me now, nearly 12 hours later. It also didn’t help that I had to go to Catholic Mass this morning.

Director Gregg Araki (The Doom Generation, Nowhere, The Living End and Splendor) brilliantly crafts the critically acclaimed novel by Scott Hein. The film follows Neil McCormick (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) down a road of drinking, drugs and prostitution, while Brian Lackey (Brady Corbet) blocks out memories by developing a whole alien-abduction fantasy.  At the root, the film is about pedophilia and how sexual abuse at an early age shapes one’s sexuality (among other things).

I’ve often thought that, one day long from now, I could potentially want a child (or two) of my own.  But now I wonder if I could ever be prepared to raise a child.  Think of all the dangers and suffering in our world. Who could stand the responsibility of bringing another life into this world?

Anyhow, this is a film everyone needs to endure.  Watch it with friends or watch it alone, but either way, be prepared.  This film makes Todd Solondez’s Happiness seem like Pee-Wee’s playhouse.