Hulu’s dropping something a little different this week, a sharp, eerie thriller that looks good on the outside but hides some serious darkness underneath. Skincare is a 2024 horror satire starring Elizabeth Banks and Nathan Fillion, and it’s already raising eyebrows for its twisted take on the beauty industry.
Directed by Austin Peters, making his feature film debut, the story follows Hope Goldman, a successful aesthetician in Los Angeles who finds herself spiralling after strange, possibly sinister events start to threaten her business. The suspense builds with every scene, blending classic psychological tension with modern-day commentary on influencer culture, vanity, and the race to stay “on brand.” Think Black Swan meets American Psycho, with a dash of Instagram filter.
And yep, fans of both Banks and Fillion have reason to get excited, they’re back together and bringing the drama.
A Beauty Rivalry Turns Deadly in Skincare on Hulu
So here’s the deal: Elizabeth Banks plays Hope, a beauty professional who seems to have it all until she starts suspecting that someone’s out to destroy her. Her prime suspect? Angel Vergara (played by Luis Gerardo Méndez), who runs a rival skincare boutique just a few blocks away. Coincidence? Hope doesn’t think so.
Getting more paranoid by the day, she reaches out to a life coach, Jordan Weaver (Lewis Pullman), hoping for some clarity. Instead, things get even messier. Oh, and Nathan Fillion enters the picture as Brett Wright, a seemingly charming guy whose intentions might not be so squeaky clean.
The film walks a fine line between suspense and satire. It doesn’t just want to scare you, it wants to make you think about how obsessed we’ve all become with filters, fame, and the illusion of perfection.
Behind the Scenes: First-Time Director, Big-Name Cast, and Real-Life Inspiration
What makes Skincare especially intriguing is that it’s loosely based on a real-life incident, an actual rivalry in the beauty industry that allegedly spiralled into criminal behaviour. That gritty inspiration adds an extra kick to the storytelling.
Director Austin Peters, known mostly for music videos and documentaries, makes a strong first impression here. His stylish touch is all over the film, and it gives Skincare a polished-yet-unnerving vibe that’s hard to look away from.
Banks delivers a performance that’s both fierce and fragile. Hope’s tightly wound exterior starts to fray, and the cracks are where the real horror lives. Fillion brings his signature charm, but with a sly edge that keeps viewers guessing. The cast also features Michaela Jaé Rodriguez and Lewis Pullman, both turning in solid performances that balance out the film’s eerie tone and occasional dark humour.
How to Watch Skincare on Hulu Plus Early Buzz
Streaming on: Hulu
Release Date: June 2025
Runtime: 96 minutes
Genres: Horror / Psychological Thriller / Satire
Skincare premieres exclusively on Hulu, which means anyone with a subscription can dive in this week.
Critics have started weighing in, and so far, reactions are mixed, but leaning positive. It’s sitting at a 69% critic score and a 60% audience score across review platforms. While some viewers felt the pacing dragged in spots, most agree that the film’s visual style, eerie tone, and standout performances, especially from Banks, make it worth watching.
Final Thoughts: Why Skincare Is Worth Streaming This Week
If you’re tired of predictable horror and want something with a little more bite (pun fully intended), Skincare might be just what the dermatologist ordered. It’s not just about scars, it’s about image, anxiety, and what happens when the pressure to be perfect turns toxic.
Elizabeth Banks is captivating as a woman unravelling, and the film’s commentary on influencer culture hits close to home in today’s scroll-obsessed world. Add in some eerie twists, satirical jabs, and a touch of glamour, and you’ve got a horror thriller that feels both timely and entertaining.
So yeah, grab your favourite face mask, dim the lights, and get ready to watch beauty turn brutal.
