As someone who has a hyperfocus on Asian genre films, I might sound biased here. I really want to urge people not to sleep on Asian cinema from South and SouthEast Asia. And the rest of Asia for that matter. Thailand is a corner of world cinema that deserves that attention. With God Skin they have thoroughly entertained me at Fantasia 2026.
God Skin by Paween Purijitpanya is a comedy, horror, action-thriller, and fantasy. Or in short “Genre”? Yes! Personally, I like Paween’s earlier work such as the horror 4Bia (Phobia) and Tomorrow & I, which is akin to a Thai Black Mirror. So going into his latest feature, I was prepared to be surprised and entertained simultaneously.
Bloody Sports
God Skin starts off with our main character Win (Sutthirak Subvijitra) doing his food delivery job. In one night he not only runs into two old college friends who seemingly are doing well, but also gets kicked out of his house with his sickly mother due to late rent. His college friend recruits him into ‘enhanced’ MMA fighting, where he undergoes a special nanobot surgery.
From that moment onwards, he’s plunged deep into a world of classism, survival, and bots making him channel animal traits to fight. But things, as fantastical as they already appear, are not what they seem. Who can Win trust? Are these bots even safe? And is there more happening to the subjects the rich patrons are betting on?
We get hilarious and fast-paced action scenes during the fights. I personally liked Win’s punching bag (it literally had a Trump stuck to it). There are many dramatic and comedic moments, but they do not hold back on any physical gore either. Throughout the movie you get a subtle sense that something is off, and the twists and turns near the end really pay off.
Rich People Games
God Skin gave me sprinkles of Upgrade and Oldboy, but toned down in darkness and with more comedic moments. Things are not what they seem. It is clear that the rich do not feel any limitations in what they’re buying and betting on and are completely abusing the needs of the poor for their amusement. It even comments on rich people cosplaying as poor to ‘enrich’ and entertain themselves. A network of those ‘in need’ is manipulated to do their bidding, creating an almost Westworld style simulation that they can safely participate in.
All in all, I was entirely entertained and immersed in this movie and definitely recommend it to both the casual and seasoned fantastic cinema fan. Paween Purijitpanya is great at balancing different genres in one story without diluting any of them and knows how to pace his features consistently all the way through. Go watch God Skin whenever it releases near you, and bring your fam and friends!
Miss Rabia Sitabi-Stigter
I am a Pop Culture Expert & Trend Analyst, and a Horror specialist who focuses on Asian titles. During the year I am the marketing director of Imagine Fantastic Film Festival and Kaboom Animation Festival. In the rest of my time I write for The Cultured Curators, Ghouls Magazine, do talks at festivals and more, and co-host a podcast. I am a member of the UK & Irish Horror critics. If you want to read or listen to intersectional layers of cinema from a European-born Arab, African, Asian, Queer, Disabled lens, then you might like my words. But mostly I share lists, lotsa niche lists 😛
