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The Serpent's Skin

Play trailer Poster for The Serpent's Skin Mar 2026 1h 23m Horror Romance LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
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92% Tomatometer 38 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
After escaping her transphobic hometown, Anna meets goth tattoo artist Gen. They bond over shared supernatural abilities, but Gen's tattoo work accidentally conjures a demon before their romance can bloom.

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The Serpent's Skin

Critics Reviews

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Kyle Logan Chicago Reader 3d
A beautiful film, emotionally and aesthetically ... that fits right in among the other sure-to-be cult classics in Mackay’s ever-growing oeuvre Go to Full Review Katie Rife Inverse Apr 3
This is a fantasy — of belonging, of strength through softness, of being able to protect those you love from everything violent and hateful in this world — but it’s rooted in a lived experience that makes it feel very grounded and authentic. Go to Full Review William Bibbiani TheWrap Mar 28
All the inspirational, kitschy parts of your favorite nostalgic fare in a mature, sensitive motion picture with indie credibility. Sure, it’s cheap, but it wears its cheapness like a badge of honor. If this is the future of cinema, I say bring it on. Go to Full Review Dennis Harvey 48 Hills 4d
The acting here is uneven, and the direction still lacks much grasp on suspense, setpieces or pacing. But Mackay merits credit for having the chutzpah to acquire her skillset in public, and she is definitely getting better. Go to Full Review Sarah Vincent Sarah G Vincent Views Apr 12
Though there is more substance than meets the eye in this slight movie, director and cowriter Alice Maio Mackay and cowriter Benjamin Pahl Robinson are leaving money on the table when they prioritize vibes instead of fully fleshing out the world Go to Full Review Joey Keogh Vague Visages Apr 10
Mackay has once again managed to do an awful lot with zero money and a ton of determination, which makes ‘The Serpent’s Skin’ much easier to admire than pick apart. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Stephen C @bob25009 Apr 1 Successful pride movie in 1 hour and 23 minutes. See more PVD H @PVD_Horror Mar 31 The Serpent's Skin is a fast-paced film that captures a dreamlike-indie feel that plays out like a YA novel come to life. Alice Maio Mackay has once again tapped into themes of finding strength in being an outsider and the importance of finding and protecting your community. The film has some intriguing imagery and beautiful shots, some of them reminiscent of an Italian horror. The soundtrack featuring H6LLB6ND6R is perfect as well. The pacing of this film, which as mentioned is fast, both helps and hurts the film. While there is very little lag or dullness, there's also moments the film seems to move too far ahead and not flesh out details or character development. While this feels intentional, perhaps to capture the YA novel feel, it can feel as though aspects such as relationships move at an unrealistic pace. Overall this was an interesting watch and a worthy sixth installment for Mackay. Fans of I Saw the TV Glow, teen dramas, RL Stine and Christopher Pike must watch. See more B P @Bradster69 Mar 28 ‘The Craft’ Meets ‘Scanners’ in Alice Maio Mackay’s Latest See more Read all reviews
The Serpent's Skin

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Cast & Crew

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Alice Maio Mackay

Director

Alexandra McVicker

Actor

Avalon Fast

Actor

Jordan Dulieu

Actor

Charlotte Chimes

Actor

Scott Major

Actor
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The Serpent's Skin

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Movie Info

Synopsis After escaping her transphobic hometown, Anna meets goth tattoo artist Gen. They bond over shared supernatural abilities, but Gen's tattoo work accidentally conjures a demon before their romance can bloom.
Director
Alice Maio Mackay
Producer
Alice Maio Mackay, Louise Weard
Screenwriter
Benjamin Pahl Robinson, Alice Maio Mackay
Distributor
Dark Star Pictures
Production Co
Dark Star Pictures, One Manner Productions
Genre
Horror, Romance, LGBTQ+
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 27, 2026, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 21, 2026
Runtime
1h 23m
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