10 Hidden Gem Body Horror Movies

In My Skin is very different from other entries on this list, since the body-horror elements aren't fantastical.

The New French Extremity horror opens with a marketing professional called Esther (portrayed by the director and writer, Marina de Van) cutting her leg at a house party. 

Esther becomes entranced by her wound, endlessly picking and scratching at it. She can't go more than a minute without burrowing into her own flesh, even when she's talking to friends or sleeping with her husband.

What makes Esther's predicament so depressing is there's no real cause for it. As far as we know, she was a normal person with no history of trauma, mental illness, or OCD. And yet, one cut on her leg inexplicably sent her over the edge.

Also, Esther isn't really to blame, since she tries to suppress her detrimental impulses. Unfortunately, she finds herself unable to function unless she embraces her newly awakened fetish.

Rather than focusing on the gashes and lacerations, the camera often stays on Esther's face when she's scratching herself. This decision is deeply effective, since we can see Esther wrestling with her self-loathing while she's trying to embrace the euphoria.

In My Skin isn't as revolting as other entries on this list, but it's still a tough watch.