Elizabeth Banks knows nothing can cover up sabotage in her latest indie film Skincare. Banks stars as famed aesthetician Hope Goldman, who is on the cusp of launching her very own skincare line. Things take a dramatic turn when rival facialist Angel Vergara, played by Luis Gerardo Méndez, opens a boutique directly across from her.
Suspecting foul play, Hope teams up with her new friend Jordan, portrayed by Lewis Pullman, to unravel the mystery of who is trying to destroy her life and career. The feature is directed by Austin Peters, known for his documentary Give Me Future, and co-written by Sam Freilich and Deering Regan. Other notable cast members include Michaela Jaé (MJ) Rodriguez and Nathan Fillion.
The Talented Cast
Banks has been busy recently. She appeared in the Beanie Baby origin story feature and took the director’s chair for Cocaine Bear, following her work on Pitch Perfect 2 and the Kristen Stewart-led reboot of Charlie’s Angels. Reflecting on her experience directing Charlie’s Angels, Banks told Rolling Stone:
I just loved the franchise. There was not this gendered agenda from me. That was very much laid on top of the work, and it was a little bit of a bummer. It felt like it pigeonholed me and the audience for the movie. To lose control of the narrative like that was a real bummer. You realize how the media can frame something regardless of how you’ve framed it.
Behind the Scenes
Austin Peters’ rise in the industry shows promise. His debut documentary about Major Lazer’s concert in Havana drew half a million fans and premiered at Sundance Film Festival, one of the first films Apple acquired as they ventured into entertainment.
Banks has clearly learned from her experiences in Hollywood. Discussing gendered marketing for Charlie’s Angels, she recounted:
I remember having a conversation with someone who was like, ‘You guys are going to have a partnership with Drybar’ — which is, like, a hair-blowing thing — and I was like, ‘Alright… but could we have an ad during the baseball playoffs? It’s not only this one thing.’
The Anticipated Release
Skincare will premiere on August 16 in theaters courtesy of IFC Films. The trailer promises a blend of drama and humor that could make it a standout this summer. Don’t miss it!
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