Set in suburban Rome, this is the true story of Stefano Cucchi, who was arrested for possession of drugs, then fell victim to police brutality.
Sounds familiar, even boring, I've-seen-it-all-before fare? Far from it, this is no white Rodney King story, there is no morale here, no heroes or anti-heroes, just a dysfunctional police & penal system and its victims. And the movie?
Simply, this is one of the best films produced by the ailing Italian cinema of the 2000s.
A grueling, insanely gritty, claustrophobic, intense thriller, boosted by an array of painfully brilliant performances and the documentaristic, crammed with close-ups, direction - reminiscent of Kassowitz's work in La Haine.
This is an absolute tour de force. If you're even remotely interested in great storytelling, do not miss it.
50 Reviews
One week within the depths of the abyss
FrenchEddieFelson30 April 2019
Police officers using shameful techniques to extort confessions, an expeditious and dehumanized justice, a minimalist and indifferent prison medicine, ... Thus, we helplessly witness a slow but inescapable descent into hell. As sad as true.
A real italian drama..except the fact, that really happened!
Prex_2816 September 2018
It's my first review here on IMDb. I saw this movie today and I had really felt the pain lived by the Cucchi's family. The acting is awesome, assuming that Alessandro Borghi is a superb actor (he played Aureliano in Suburra). In Italy, where I live, the death of Stefano Cucchi has been a matter for many years and it's still today. All hail to Netflix, trying to "do justice" to this judicary case.
A must see, to understand better what Italy really is.
A must see, to understand better what Italy really is.
One of those movies that is a journey to self-destruction, despair, loneliness and impotence.
bola_de_pu16 September 2018
Don't expect something flashy and fancy here. A movie with no heroes, just an amazing movie based on real events with magnificent performances and an exceptional soundtrack. Sit there, enjoy the movie. Don't expect a happy ending with justice, vengeance and payback. Feel the pain. Be emphatetic with the main character and try to help him, even if you can't. Not to many movies have the touch to tell a story this way without the gigantic budget, the overrated performers and the exagerated promo.That's life; a chain of huge errors.
Truthful brutality
amir-pasbakhsh6 February 2020
I don't write reviews, even after having seen unforgettable masterpieces. But this time, I have to.
And the reason is Alessandro Borghi. I was first mesmerised by his work in "Suburra: La Serie" and wanted more, so decided to give this a chance, and his performance here is nothing short of transcendent. I don't say this lightly, but it's up there with the work of Daniel Day Lewis in "There Will Be Blood" in quality and realism.
The film portrays the real life events surrounding the arrest of Stefano Cucchi, a low life addict. While in jail, he suffers a beating at the hands of the arresting officers, and that's where the film takes a turn from any standardised narrative you'd expect - the closest thing I can recall was "Fruitvale Station", but I'd claim that this is more powerful and even better acted. The humanity and authenticity captured by the director and cast is closer to the neo-Iranian cinema, than any Hollywood produced movie.
In my humble opinion, Borghi may be the greatest working actor in the world right now, and his tour de force in this picture is a monumental achievement, up there with the best performances in the last few decades.
Highly recommended.
And the reason is Alessandro Borghi. I was first mesmerised by his work in "Suburra: La Serie" and wanted more, so decided to give this a chance, and his performance here is nothing short of transcendent. I don't say this lightly, but it's up there with the work of Daniel Day Lewis in "There Will Be Blood" in quality and realism.
The film portrays the real life events surrounding the arrest of Stefano Cucchi, a low life addict. While in jail, he suffers a beating at the hands of the arresting officers, and that's where the film takes a turn from any standardised narrative you'd expect - the closest thing I can recall was "Fruitvale Station", but I'd claim that this is more powerful and even better acted. The humanity and authenticity captured by the director and cast is closer to the neo-Iranian cinema, than any Hollywood produced movie.
In my humble opinion, Borghi may be the greatest working actor in the world right now, and his tour de force in this picture is a monumental achievement, up there with the best performances in the last few decades.
Highly recommended.
A slow-paced drama based on a real story.
DimitrisPassas-TapTheLine15 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This is a truly sad and depressing film about Stefano, a young ex-junkie who is arrested with small quantitities of pot and cocaine. During his search, he falls victim to police brutality acts and gets seriousy injured. The rest of the film consists of the odyssey of Stefano, who is slowly surrendering his body and spirit to pass away, a week after his arrest and while he is still in custody. The movie certainly raises questions about the misuse of power from the authorities but above all is a painful account of the last days of a young man and the parent's reaction to Stefano's tough journey. The film has a very slow tempo, placing the emphasis to the protagonist's emotions. ''Sulla Mia Pelle'' is certainly not a movie for everybody and the viewer should be expecting a deeply melancholic and gloomy atmospehere, no action and a disturbing true story which is difficult to digest.
Breathtaking
martijn-willemse-NL10 July 2019
Powerful film
SpacemanBob3 January 2020
Warning: Spoilers
After being arrested on a minor possession charge Stefano Cucchi is beaten by police badly enough to cause his death 7 days later. The film stops short of re-enacting any of the brutality, but it does portray the after effects which are quite shocking. The real abuse had to have been horrific. Some critics have said the film is too slow, I didn't find that, the pacing seemed appropriate. You won't find many answers as to what happens after his death in terms of legal ramifications, as most of that occurred after the film was released, the film bringing much public attention to the case. This is not a documentary, but a dramatic retelling. Still a worthwhile watch.
I wanted to know more, and I easily found it myself. The attempts by police to cover up and minimize the incident (big surprise there). The officers involved were originally tried and acquitted, then later retried and convicted.
I wanted to know more, and I easily found it myself. The attempts by police to cover up and minimize the incident (big surprise there). The officers involved were originally tried and acquitted, then later retried and convicted.
Based on True Events, Incredibly Sad and Eye Opening
shell-7239611 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Wow! So I watched On My Skin only having read the one sentence synopsis on Netflix, after seeing it listed as a suggestion on the assignment list. I thought to myself, this sounds interesting - guy spends a bad week in prison, based on true events. I typically like crime shows and things based on true events. Having not been familiar with this story or the time period where hundreds died in prisons from bad treatment, I was in for quite a shock. Within the first few minutes you see a man dead in a jail hospital... then they go back a week and start telling the events leading up to his death. I remained hopeful throughout the film that Stefano would recover and go on to fight against the unjustness of the system. I was way off. He indeed died and the way he was treated was terrible. This actor was great, he really made me feel for him. I was really crushed when he noted to the social worker that it wasn't that he didn't want treatment, he just wanted treatment after he spoke with his lawyer. I didnt understand the mindset of him refusing to be helped just to try and speak with the police. then again I wasn't beaten to death by the police. And so many knew the truth yet didn't stand up to the a abusive cops. Very eye opening story.
Gutsy; Brutally Gutsy
fiercecelt29 December 2019
This film gripped my attention, and left me feeling sickened and sad. That this movie is based on actual events says a lot about the pervasive evil in the Italian police. The palpable sadism left me bewildered.
The English is dubbed. I suspect this film is even more gripping in its original Italian. Some of the gaps are too long, but Alessandro Boghi portrays Stefano's pain superbly. The makeup artists are exceptional.
The English is dubbed. I suspect this film is even more gripping in its original Italian. Some of the gaps are too long, but Alessandro Boghi portrays Stefano's pain superbly. The makeup artists are exceptional.
Sulla mia pelle
danielcereto23 March 2020
There is no doubt that Alessandro Borghi is one of the most talented Italian actors. I discovered him in Suburra. I loved his acting there.
Here in Sulla mia Pelle he plays Stephano Cucchi young man accused of narcotics possession in 2009. Based on real events, the movie is hard to watch but a must. A solid 8/10.
Foreign Surprise
kegler1122 September 2018
Frustrating Movie
don-woodring19 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This was such a frustrating movie. They had their own lawyer yet they allowed a horrible public defender to represent him. He kept telling people he feel down the stairs instead. However, he picked and choose who to tell her was beaten by the police but wouldn't tell anyone who could actually do anything about it. The actions by Stephano, his parents, the doctors, the lawyers, nurses and judge were horrible. For whatever reason, everyone in the movie allowed Steph to go through incredible suffering. But the most frustrating part is their willingness to allow the public defender to be his lawyer.
a very efficient docu-drama
dromasca4 May 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I do not have a Netflix account (yet), so I rarely see films protected by the ecosystem of this kind of broadcast. Luckily, a few movies like 'Roma', which was also presented in Cannes and now this 'Sulla mia pelle' (the English title is 'On My Skin: The Last Seven Days of Stefano Cucchi'), which was presented at the Venice Festival last year, enjoyed a limited broadcast on the screens of cinema theaters. The fragmentation of cinematic distribution creates 'islands' and makes comparisons difficult, but this is a long and complicated discussion. What I can say is that the film directed by Alessio Cremonini approaches in an original way the genre of docu-drama, bringing to the viewers a committed view and a firm opinion about a case that is still under way in the Italian actuality.
Nearly ten years ago, in October 2009, a 31-year-old Italian, named Stefano Cucchi, was arrested by the Italian carabinieri, being suspected of drugs possession and trafficking. Despite coming from a 'normative' family, he had a criminal record, and had been hospitalized for rehabilitation of drug addiction. The judge decided that he should be detained until the investigation was completed. For a whole week his family was unable to get in touch with him or get news about his condition, he did not meet with a lawyer, and after seven days the family was informed that the young man had died. The autopsy showed the cause of death as a combination of blows received at the beginning of detention and disastrous medical treatment in the penitentiary system hospitals. Years later, some of the doctors involved were sentenced to small suspended sentences, but the police officers who were involved in the arrest and are suspected of having beaten and having caused the injuries that ultimately led to the death of the young man, were inducted only during the last year. The trial is still under way.
These are the facts as known from the news. The film presents for the most part the events of the last week of Stefano Cucchi's life from his perspective, with some interludes in which we are witnessing the family's efforts to find out what is his situation and to help him. This is actually a reconstitution. We understand that the young man was not a saint, in fact he was guilty of what the police suspected about him, and he was trying to hide details that could have indicted him. We can speculate whether drug trafficking is a minor or major crime, but of course the young man did not deserve to die in detention, not to be beaten, he had to be provided medical care and allowed contact with his lawyer. The causes of his death seem to be a combination of systemic problems in the Italian justice and penitentiary systems, combined with the indifference and personal negligence of many involved. Such a thing should not happen in a modern justice system in a European democratic country. Director Alessio Cremonini, along with lead actor Alessandro Borghi and the rest of the actor's team, describe in a very credible and dramatic manner the descending spiral towards the inferno of a young man who obviously made mistakes but did not deserve death. The cool rendering of the police station and prison hospitals is frightening. Great cinema job. There is however a question to be asked. I have no reason to challenge the depth and seriousness of the documentation. However, does not the firm approach taken by this well made docu-drama risk to pronounce an early judgment in a case still under way?
Nearly ten years ago, in October 2009, a 31-year-old Italian, named Stefano Cucchi, was arrested by the Italian carabinieri, being suspected of drugs possession and trafficking. Despite coming from a 'normative' family, he had a criminal record, and had been hospitalized for rehabilitation of drug addiction. The judge decided that he should be detained until the investigation was completed. For a whole week his family was unable to get in touch with him or get news about his condition, he did not meet with a lawyer, and after seven days the family was informed that the young man had died. The autopsy showed the cause of death as a combination of blows received at the beginning of detention and disastrous medical treatment in the penitentiary system hospitals. Years later, some of the doctors involved were sentenced to small suspended sentences, but the police officers who were involved in the arrest and are suspected of having beaten and having caused the injuries that ultimately led to the death of the young man, were inducted only during the last year. The trial is still under way.
These are the facts as known from the news. The film presents for the most part the events of the last week of Stefano Cucchi's life from his perspective, with some interludes in which we are witnessing the family's efforts to find out what is his situation and to help him. This is actually a reconstitution. We understand that the young man was not a saint, in fact he was guilty of what the police suspected about him, and he was trying to hide details that could have indicted him. We can speculate whether drug trafficking is a minor or major crime, but of course the young man did not deserve to die in detention, not to be beaten, he had to be provided medical care and allowed contact with his lawyer. The causes of his death seem to be a combination of systemic problems in the Italian justice and penitentiary systems, combined with the indifference and personal negligence of many involved. Such a thing should not happen in a modern justice system in a European democratic country. Director Alessio Cremonini, along with lead actor Alessandro Borghi and the rest of the actor's team, describe in a very credible and dramatic manner the descending spiral towards the inferno of a young man who obviously made mistakes but did not deserve death. The cool rendering of the police station and prison hospitals is frightening. Great cinema job. There is however a question to be asked. I have no reason to challenge the depth and seriousness of the documentation. However, does not the firm approach taken by this well made docu-drama risk to pronounce an early judgment in a case still under way?
RIP Stefano Cucchi
julian15816 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Absolutely superb film with great acting in the lead role from Alessandro Borghi. If I'm honest as it opened I was sure I was going to like it the dubbing was noticeable. But as the film continued it was an absolutely brilliant film, based on true events. Well worth a watch. RIP Stefano may your killers, and those who contributed be brought to justice.
Difficult to watch.
benighted20051 July 2020
***Must watch***
heat-7448122 August 2019
On My Skin
daliyahlainez12 May 2020
Normally I would say this is more of my thing, especially being on Netflix and having that documentary type of feel by being based on a true story, etc. I felt very sorry for Stefano and wanted to learn more about him and what happened after watching this film - we hear about police brutality and things of that nature all of the time, but of course I had never heard of Stefano Cucchi before. I don't really like any of the gory stuff, whether it's gory movies, gory clips, gory pictures, etc. It just never sits right with me. This film was no exception, but it was a different type of film than all the other Italian produced films that I've been watching, and it just goes to show that all people, no matter who, face the same challenges in life and everyone we go there will always be corrupt systems, corrupt people, and victims.
Averagely good
Come-and-Review13 September 2018
"Sulla mia pelle" seems to follow the conventional style of post-Gomorra Italian crime/drama films.
Even though we all already knew the story, it is a great Netflix Original, albeit not an outstanding one.
"Sulla mia pelle" could be compared to Ryan Coogler's Fruitvale Station, both in themes and structure: both films focus on recent cases of police abuse, and unwrap their plot through a short period (which is one day for Coogler's film, one week for Cremonini's).
While the Cucchi case had enormous mediation relevance in Italy, I wouldn't dare to call it an "incredible true story", albeit an important case of crime perpetuated by the police. Similarly, I wouldn't say that Sulla mia pelle is a masterpiece of a film, but definitely a good film. Due to the subject, I doubt it could have been any better than how it turned out.
Ever since Garrone's "Gomorra", that was released in 2008, Italian crime movies seem to have adopted a particular style, distinct from their American counterparts. Although "Suburra", "A Ciambra", or "Dogman" all share decadent settings, dark environments, crude violence, certain common cinematographic and coloring techniques. Sulla mia pelle seems to follow their style, while being thematically more of an 'inquiry' film. It is also a 'slow' film: there is virtually no action whatsoever.
Even though there wasn't any gorgeous setting (as, for instance, in Suburra), I think the cinematography was great, pushed to the best it could be, despite the locations mostly being prison cells or police offices.
In terms of acting, Borghi attempted to do the required transformation for the role, by visibly losing weight, and also worked heavily on his accent, in order to make it as close to Cucchi's one as possible. The end credits let the viewer hear the original recording of a court hearing for comparison. A great performance, but not as dazzling as his work in Sollima's Suburra. Still, he qualifies once again as a talented emerging actor, who I'd like to see more often in films. Borghi, however, doesn't really resemble Cucchi so much as Jasmine Trinca resembles Ilaria Cucchi, Stefano's sister. We frequently saw the real Ilaria in the news, and the similarity is so impeccable, that it almost made me wish to see more of her in the film, even though the focus was not on her.
"Sulla mia pelle" is a valid film in technical terms. It is overall a good film, and I would put it up there together with "Dogman" and "Loro" as one of the best Italian films of the year so far, but lacks some elements that could have made it an ethernal masterpiece.
"Sulla mia pelle" could be compared to Ryan Coogler's Fruitvale Station, both in themes and structure: both films focus on recent cases of police abuse, and unwrap their plot through a short period (which is one day for Coogler's film, one week for Cremonini's).
While the Cucchi case had enormous mediation relevance in Italy, I wouldn't dare to call it an "incredible true story", albeit an important case of crime perpetuated by the police. Similarly, I wouldn't say that Sulla mia pelle is a masterpiece of a film, but definitely a good film. Due to the subject, I doubt it could have been any better than how it turned out.
Ever since Garrone's "Gomorra", that was released in 2008, Italian crime movies seem to have adopted a particular style, distinct from their American counterparts. Although "Suburra", "A Ciambra", or "Dogman" all share decadent settings, dark environments, crude violence, certain common cinematographic and coloring techniques. Sulla mia pelle seems to follow their style, while being thematically more of an 'inquiry' film. It is also a 'slow' film: there is virtually no action whatsoever.
Even though there wasn't any gorgeous setting (as, for instance, in Suburra), I think the cinematography was great, pushed to the best it could be, despite the locations mostly being prison cells or police offices.
In terms of acting, Borghi attempted to do the required transformation for the role, by visibly losing weight, and also worked heavily on his accent, in order to make it as close to Cucchi's one as possible. The end credits let the viewer hear the original recording of a court hearing for comparison. A great performance, but not as dazzling as his work in Sollima's Suburra. Still, he qualifies once again as a talented emerging actor, who I'd like to see more often in films. Borghi, however, doesn't really resemble Cucchi so much as Jasmine Trinca resembles Ilaria Cucchi, Stefano's sister. We frequently saw the real Ilaria in the news, and the similarity is so impeccable, that it almost made me wish to see more of her in the film, even though the focus was not on her.
"Sulla mia pelle" is a valid film in technical terms. It is overall a good film, and I would put it up there together with "Dogman" and "Loro" as one of the best Italian films of the year so far, but lacks some elements that could have made it an ethernal masterpiece.
Rip stefano
psebas-4668523 September 2018
Slow, But Worthwhile
clintstevens22 September 2018
Although the pacing of this movie is very slow, one must realize it is based on facts and not flash. And the facts are so tragic.
Alessandro Borghi did a spectacular job of acting the main character and it was amazing to watch his transformation from a healthy man to a cadaverous damaged soul.
Alessandro Borghi did a spectacular job of acting the main character and it was amazing to watch his transformation from a healthy man to a cadaverous damaged soul.
Sad italian story
nicolapreto18 September 2018
Great acting
rowlands_3611 October 2018
Feel sorry for the guy but movie waste of time for the living
cybeaux22 September 2018
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
