Skinamarink

Skinamarink is a 2022 Canadian experimental horror film written and directed by Kyle Edward Ball in his feature directorial debut. The film follows a young brother and sister who wake up during the night to discover that they cannot find their father and that the windows, doors, and other objects in their house are disappearing. Before the production of Skinamarink, Ball ran a YouTube channel where he would upload videos based on nightmares recounted by commenters. His short film Heck (2020) was developed as a proof of concept for Skinamarink, which was shot on digital video at Ball's childhood home in Edmonton. Skinamarink premiered at the Fantasia Film Festival in Montreal on July 25, 2022, before going on to screen at other festivals, including some that offered at-home viewing options. Copies of the film leaked online, after which it garnered attention and word-of-mouth acclaim on social media. Skinamarink received a theatrical release in North America via IFC Midnight on January 13, 2023, and was released on the horror streaming service Shudder on February 2. The film was a box office success, grossing $2 million against a $15,000 budget. It received generally positive reviews from critics, who characterized it as drawing upon experiences of childhood fear, though it received a highly polarized response from audiences.