Audre Lorde once pointed out that white women’s narratives often define womanhood, leaving women of color feeling marginalized. This idea resonates deeply in Urvashi Pathania’s short film, “Skin” (2025).
“Skin” dives into the complex feelings of ‘otherness’ faced by women of color, especially within the culture of corporate America. Instead of embracing these differences, corporations seem to want to erase them. The film showcases how Indian-American women view themselves and their hopes for acceptance in the U.S.
The storyline centers on Kanika, an Indian-American woman who decides to undergo a skin bleaching treatment at Markandeya, a skincare clinic. Despite her sister, Ria, urging her to reconsider, Kanika feels immense pressure to change her appearance to resemble her fair-skinned mother. Inside the clinic, women like her are led into rooms filled with milky solutions where they undergo a transformation, becoming lighter in skin tone.
The treatment is marketed as safe, but viewers sense the underlying danger. Women are pushed to conform to beauty standards that prioritize whiteness. The clinic even cleverly feeds on their desire, directing the light and ambiance to cater to their clientele’s needs.
As Ria confronts the beauty industry on social media, she faces criticism and concern for Kanika. Eventually, she tries to rescue her sister but ends up caught in a system designed to exploit women of color. The climax is chilling, with Ria’s body being drained of melanin to satisfy the desires of older white women, all under the guise of beauty.
The film effectively uses tight spaces and close-up shots to create a sense of claustrophobia, amplifying its commentary on racism and capitalism. The neon lights play an important role, with contrasting colors setting the mood for different characters.
While “Skin” raises vital issues about beauty standards and societal pressures, some might feel it falls short of presenting something entirely new. The conversation around women’s experiences in horror has grown significantly. A recent survey from the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media indicates that women’s representation in horror films has improved, yet many narratives still reflect age-old struggles around beauty and acceptance.
Despite its shortcomings, “Skin” offers a powerful lens on the obsessive beauty standards that dominate culture. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle against superficiality and the need for genuine representation.
For further exploration of similar themes, check out this MUBI link for Skin (2025).
