BHFF 2025: ‘The Serpent’s Skin’ Is Experimental And Unapologetically Queer

It’s no secret that Alice Maio Mackay is a filmmaker who brings her passion, experimental style, and queerness to all her films. Her films aren’t big horror blockbusters with huge names in the industry, and that’s part of what makes them so special. The Serpent’s Skin, which Mackay directs, is just another example of what she brings to the table. 

The Serpent’s Skin follows the supernatural love story between Anna (Alexandra McVicker) and Gen (Avalon Fast), as well as a demon that is accidentally unleashed, which they must stop from causing further havoc. Both leads are characters that you can’t help but love and root for, individually and for their relationship. Not to mention their identities as queer women, and for Anna as a trans woman, aren’t made into a big deal. Instead, they are allowed to just be, rather than being forced to endure a subplot about having a secret relationship due to internalized shame. It’s incredibly refreshing for queer audiences to see more of that on screen, particularly in horror. 

The Serpent’s Skin begins by introducing us to Anna, showing us the tumultuous nature of her home life, and we witness a moment of her self-harming behavior. Suddenly, after that opening, Anna is seen boarding a bus with several bags, clearly leaving her small town. It’s a tale as old as time, especially for queer folks in film, to finally escape the place that’s weighing down who they are. However, we’re not left to think about that because the visuals are very trippy, especially the visions that Anna keeps having of Gen, in this first part of The Serpent’s Skin. 

If you love special effects, then you’ll enjoy what The Serpent’s Skin offers.

As soon as Anna moves in with her sister in a new city, things begin to change rapidly in other areas of her life. She has a one-night stand with a guy who lives in the apartment complex, finds a job she enjoys, all while her visions of Gen get more intense until they meet in person. The chemistry between Alexandra McVicker and Avalon Fast will draw you in; there’s that much intensity between them. McVicker and Fast will really make you believe in the romance that their characters are experiencing. The power of queerness and witchy vibes is heavy in this gem of a film. 

While a demon is later unleashed in The Serpent’s Skin, we’re also exploring Anna’s newly discovered abilities. One could call both characters witches, supernaturally gifted, or use any other terms that make the most sense. Of course, Anna uses her abilities to have fun, such as burning a particularly transphobic flyer with her telekinetic powers, but she also ends up taking care of a violent robber. The moments of vigilantism are very minimal, though that would’ve been a cool direction for the film to take. 

Once one of the characters does become possessed by this unsettling demon, who doesn’t seem to have world-ending intentions, both Anna and Gen jump into action against them. If you’re expecting the demon to be catastrophic-looking, you might be in for a bit of a surprise. The Serpent’s Skin is an indie film through and through, and if you love special effects, then you’ll enjoy what the film has to offer in that respect. There’s a lot of stylish and colorful imagery woven throughout this film, in addition to that. 

Despite the dark moments that occur before the ending, The Serpent’s Skin allows for tenderness for Gen and Anna.

The Serpent’s Skin as a whole isn’t beating you over the head with the plot, though, and we don’t spend the entire film chasing after the demon. Instead, it builds up its core relationship, gives us unsettling moments throughout, allows room for sexuality and sensuality, and then we kick into why the demon has emerged in the first place. Mackay is no stranger when it comes to incorporating demons and creatures into her films; therefore, she knows how to handle all of that by now. 

What can be said that doesn’t venture into too heavy of spoiler territory is that there is light at the end of the tunnel. We’re not forced to endure an unnecessary tragedy for the shock of it all. Despite the dark moments that occur before this film’s ending, The Serpent’s Skin allows for tenderness for both Gen and Anna. 

All in all, if you’re a fan of Mackay’s style, enjoy queer horror, and are looking to support trans and queer filmmakers, then you’ll be thrilled to watch The Serpent’s Skin. Even if it doesn’t end up being one of your favorites from Mackay, you might understand why others enjoy it. It’s well worth your time, and if you’re new to her work, this could be a sign to explore more of her films.

The Serpent’s Skin is screening at the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival.