The first trailer for “The Serpent’s Skin,” debuting exclusively on IndieWire, doesn’t simply introduce Alice Maio Mackay’s next feature. it invites viewers to meet its gaze. The promo, released ahead of the film’s theatrical rollout from Dark Star Pictures, presents a sultry and unsettling monster movie that couples desire and dread as inseparable forces. The trailer offers a first look at a promising queer film that has been generating buzz on the festival circuit since last year, signaling a darker, moodier phase in the already prolific career of the young Australian filmmaker.
Mackay’s sixth feature, co-written with longtime collaborator Benjamin Pahl Robinson, follows Anna (Alexandra McVicker), a trans girl who flees a hostile hometown and finds herself in a city teeming with new, spectral presences. The film is already garnering attention for its unique blend of horror, romance, and queer representation, a combination that sets it apart in the genre landscape. Dark Star Pictures, a distribution company focused on cutting-edge genre films, will be bringing “The Serpent’s Skin” to audiences, with screenings beginning in New York on March 27 and Los Angeles on April 3, with additional dates to be announced.
A New Aesthetic for a Rising Filmmaker
“The Serpent’s Skin” marks a distinct evolution in Mackay’s filmmaking style, leaning into gothic melodrama and romantic mysticism. In an interview with IndieWire last year, Mackay cited ‘90s cult television shows like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Charmed” as influences, describing a shift towards a more tactile and sensual aesthetic in her recent work. This evolution is evident in the trailer, which showcases a dreamlike atmosphere and a palpable sense of longing and danger. Mackay, at just 21 years old, has already directed six feature films in four years, a remarkable feat that has established her as a significant voice in contemporary horror cinema.
Intimacy and Transformation
The narrative centers on Anna’s connection with Gen (Avalon Speedy), a magnetic woman who appears to Anna in her dreams. Their immediate and intense connection quickly becomes both supernatural and deeply erotic. However, their burgeoning powers inadvertently transform Anna’s former fling, Danny (Jordan Dulieu), into something monstrous, forcing the trio to confront the destructive potential of intimacy. The film explores themes of identity, desire, and the consequences of unchecked power, all within a framework of atmospheric horror.
A Queer Horror Landscape
“The Serpent’s Skin” arrives as part of a growing wave of queer horror films gaining prominence. The film’s exploration of trans identity and same-sex desire is not merely representational but integral to the story’s core themes. This focus on queer experience, combined with the film’s stylistic influences and Mackay’s distinctive vision, positions it as a standout entry in the genre. The film’s championing by IndieWire since its premiere at the Fantasia Film Festival in Montreal underscores its critical acclaim and potential impact.
Edited by Vera Drew and executive produced by Louise Weard, the film balances low-budget ingenuity with a clear and compelling vision. McVicker and Fast deliver a charged and captivating performance, grounding the fantastical elements of the story in a relatable and emotionally resonant human connection. The film’s ability to blend horror, romance, and queer representation promises a unique and unsettling cinematic experience.
From Dark Star Pictures, “The Serpent’s Skin” opens in New York on March 27 and in Los Angeles on April 3 — with more dates to be announced.
As “The Serpent’s Skin” prepares for its wider release, audiences can anticipate a film that challenges genre conventions and offers a fresh perspective on the intersection of horror, desire, and identity. Further details regarding additional screening locations and distribution plans will be announced by Dark Star Pictures in the coming weeks.
What are your thoughts on the trailer for “The Serpent’s Skin”? Share your reactions and join the conversation below.
