Scarlett Johansson’s film career has moved between blockbuster franchises, acclaimed drama and unusual science fiction. Alongside playing Natasha Romanoff, or Black Widow, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, she earned Oscar nominations for Jojo Rabbit and Marriage Story. Her recent and upcoming work includes Jurassic World Rebirth, Mike Flanagan’s The Exorcist: Martyrs and Matt Reeves’ The Batman Part II.
One of her most distinctive films, Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin, is now available to watch for free on Tubi. The 2013 R-rated science-fiction thriller is also scheduled to leave Netflix after 31 October 2026, giving viewers another option while its Tubi availability continues.
A chilling science-fiction premise
Johansson plays a mysterious woman known only in the credits as “the Female”. She travels along Scotland’s roads searching for isolated men, drawing them towards an otherworldly lair. The story gradually reveals that the apparently human woman is an extraterrestrial in disguise.
Glazer directed and co-wrote the film. His other credits include Birth and The Zone of Interest, which won the Oscar for Best International Feature Film in 2023. Under the Skin is loosely adapted from Michael Faber’s 2000 novel of the same name, a project Glazer spent years developing for the screen.
From a larger production to an unconventional thriller
The project was once imagined as a more expensive film co-led by Brad Pitt. Glazer eventually reduced the scale, and hidden cameras were used to capture several scenes. Before Johansson took the central role, Gemma Arterton, Abbie Cornish, Eva Green, January Jones and Olivia Wilde were among the actresses considered to play the Female.
The supporting cast includes Paul Brannigan as Andrew, Kryštof Hádek as the Swimmer, Adam Pearson as the Deformed Man and motorcycle racer Jeremy McWilliams as the Bad Man. The film also uses several first-time performers: Lynsey Taylor Mackay as the Dead Woman, Dougie McConnell as the Pick-Up Man, Kevin McAlinden as the First Victim and Dave Acton as the Logger.
Under the Skin found its audience over time
The film was initially considered a box-office disappointment. It earned $9.1 million worldwide against a reported $13.3 million budget, but its critical reputation grew rapidly after release.
Its recognition included a nomination for Best Sci-Fi/Horror Movie at the 2015 Critics’ Choice Awards, and it has since been widely regarded as one of the strongest films of the 2010s. For readers who enjoy unusual screen science fiction alongside their arcade and gaming news, it offers a stark, unsettling change of pace.
Those building a themed media room can also browse arcade machines or consider a compact bartop arcade for a smaller setup. Streaming availability may differ by location, so Australian viewers should check Tubi and other listed services directly.
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