There is a beauty line that is in strange territory. It is reputation-wrecking. Skincare has the audacity of a threatening situation. Written and directed by Austin Peters, it is a thriller of uniqueness. It brings in the place where connections are bound to happen. Its location is California, and the opening brings in an array of gems and success. Style and make-up are the high tier. When the chance of competition arises, there is also the startling momentum of one’s career to face sabotaging elements.

The big star is Hope (played by Elizabeth Banks). Hope is a famous aesthetician with her studio. Her assistant is Marine (played by Michael Jae Rodriguez). Hope has the looks and the personality to sell in her world of success. Changes occur when an owner named Angel opens his boutique across from her studio. Hope receives notifications that her email account has sent many lewd messages. Hope also finds ads for being an escort. The deficits continue to climb. Hope’s life falls into a downward spiral on the brink of losing her studio. Her manic mode goes bonkers. She has the help of a friend named Jordan (played by Lewis Pullman), and she is willing to do whatever it takes to Stop Angel from wrecking her business or find out who is framing her.

It is a silly premise. Skincare does know how to make the detrimental situation clever and enticing. It is a thriller that throws many obstacles into the mixture of the conflict. It is a competition of ego and personality. Where does the line get drawn? The product line is Hope’s weakness because it is not her strong suit. Hope is cute and attractive. She can use that to her advantage. Unfortunately, it leads her to an awkward quid pro quo scenario. Hope has options to save her career, but the conflict is coming to the right decision. The more time passes (with lewd messages and hacked accounts), the continuance of reputation and fame burst into flames.

The stressfulness of the quirky setup is the scandal going to the extreme. The writing is straightforward. It has layers of graphic consequences. The focus of an aesthetician, the film is a murky satire with crinkles of make-up waiting to be purified. Publicity hits all kinds of angles and stresses. Hopes’ rent falls behind. Angel continues to make profits. While Angel is bringing in the revenue, Hope continues in her downfall.

The characterization of Banks is one of many manic and bipolar episodes. It does give its audience the chance to think about personality and professionalism. Is Angel truly her enemy? Does her level of fame mean she already has enemies? Are there people who have tried to take advantage of her before? The background of success is authentic. Skincare creates a reminder for its audience that a following has potential risks. Hope is bound to have her life threatened forever. Can she handle the moving parts properly?

It is wacky, present, and realistic. Skincare gets serious in moderation. It begins with joyfulness, and the hammer comes down in increments. The slapstick aspects are giddy sporadically. Regardless, it knows how to be a thriller, and it knows how to be amusing (while its audience is on the edge of their seats). Three out of four stars for Skincare.