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The Skin of the Wolf (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Skin of the Wolf (2018) movie poster

The Skin of the Wolf is a 2018 drama directed by Samu Fuentes, starring Mario Casas as Martinón, Kandido Uranga and Ruth Díaz. It runs 1 hour 50 minutes and earned $52,408 worldwide on a $1.7 million budget. It won 1 award from 2 nominations, including FIPRESCI Special Presentations at the TIFF 2018. Critics gave it 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10.

IMDb rating
5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
75%
worldwide gross
$52.4K
award won
1
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The Skin of the Wolf (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 50m (110 min)
Director
Samu Fuentes
Genre
Drama
Original language
Spanish
Studio
Netflix
Budget
$1.7M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Skin of the Wolf About?

The premise of The Skin of the Wolf without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In the remote Spanish countryside, a solitary wolf-trapper seeks human connection to alleviate his loneliness. Driven by a desire for companionship, he searches for someone to share his isolated life. As he pursues this connection, he grapples with the balance between the freedom of his existence and the comforts of a shared home, exploring the conflicting desires for solitude and belonging.

The Skin of the Wolf Themes & Keywords

· 1 tag
  • snow
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Cast & crew

The Skin of the Wolf Cast & Characters

Mario Casas leads the cast as Martinón, with Kandido Uranga as Severino and Ruth Díaz as Pascuala. Directed by Samu Fuentes; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Skin of the Wolf

· 6 more
From the director

More from Samu Fuentes

One more film directed by Samu Fuentes: Los últimos pastores.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Skin of the Wolf Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Skin of the Wolf 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 73/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in story & flow (50).

73 /100

The Skin of the Wolf Echo Score Breakdown

The Skin of the Wolf excels in its visual presentation but struggles with narrative drive. Critics and users alike praise the film’s striking photography and coherent sensory style, noting the compelling aesthetic and atmospheric soundtrack. However, the story’s sparse dialogue and uneven pacing lead to frustration over character depth and plot development. While the film leaves a lasting impression through its artistry, its dramatic shortcomings limit its overall impact.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 90

    In terms of art and craft, the film showcases exceptional visual composition and production design. Reviews highlight the immersive cinematography, wild mountain landscapes, and thoughtfully framed shots that evoke folktale imagery. Critics commend the editing’s measured pacing and raw visual poetry, while users note occasional artificial effects like obvious fake snow. Overall, the visual strengths firmly establish the film’s artistic identity.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances receive mixed assessments. Several reviews praise the cast’s nuanced work and authentic portrayals that convey loneliness and raw sentiment. However, some critics and viewers criticize limited dialogue and flat delivery, finding character motivations underexplored and emotional connections difficult to form. Despite moments of strong acting, uneven depth tempers the film’s overall emotional resonance.

  • Story & Flow 50

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative is often described as sparse and uneven. The film’s minimalist approach creates a deliberate pace that immerses viewers in folk-tale ambience, yet it also leads to frustration over inconsistent plot development and unresolved dramatic arcs. Both critics and users note a lack of narrative drive and palpable drama, resulting in a lukewarm engagement with the storyline overall.

  • Sensory Experience 88

    When evaluating the sensory experience, the film earns high marks for its atmospheric soundtrack and immersive sound design. Critics highlight how the score enhances the raw folktale tone, and users applaud the vivid soundscapes that complement the striking visuals. The consistent visual style, from expansive snowfields to forest textures, deepens viewer immersion. As a result, the sensory elements are among the film’s most compelling assets.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Regarding rewatch factor, opinions vary between intrigue and tedium. Viewers appreciative of contemplative pacing and visual poetry find the experience worthwhile on repeat viewings, while others cite the slow development and limited dialogue as barriers to revisiting the film. Though the artistic atmosphere and emotional moments offer new details on subsequent watches, the film’s uneven narrative pace may deter frequent replays.

Plot

The Skin of the Wolf Plot Summary

What happens in The Skin of the Wolf from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Martinón is a lonely huntsman, residing on a desolate mountain high above the remains of an old town. His home is surrounded by rugged terrain and thick forests, abundant with wildlife, which he harvests for both sustenance and trade. Each day, he diligently maintains his property, sets traps for animals, looks after his goats, and hunts wolves to sell their pelts. His imposing figure—tall, muscular, with wild hair and a bushy beard—tends to frighten those who cross his path.

Full summary

The whole story of The Skin of the Wolf, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Skin of the Wolf Box Office & Budget

The Skin of the Wolf grossed $52,408 worldwide on a $1.7 million budget.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$52.4K

International
$52.4K
Budget
$1.7M
Awards

The Skin of the Wolf Awards & Nominations

The Skin of the Wolf won 1 award from 2 nominations, including FIPRESCI Special Presentations at the TIFF 2018. Its biggest night was the TIFF 2018, with 1 win from 1 nomination.

1 win2 nominations2 ceremonies

Videos

The Skin of the Wolf Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Skin of the Wolf.

THE SKIN OF THE WOLF by Samu Fuentes - TRAILER
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Skin of the Wolf?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What does Martinon primarily hunt in the mountains?

Cars

Cars in The Skin of the Wolf

9 cars on screen, including the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban and the 1998 Dodge Durango.

All 9 cars
  • 1997 Chevrolet Suburban in The Skin of the Wolf 1997 Chevrolet Suburban Important role
  • 1998 Dodge Durango in The Skin of the Wolf 1998 Dodge Durango Important role
  • 1963 Chevrolet Bel Air in The Skin of the Wolf 1963 Chevrolet Bel Air Background role
  • 1964 Chevrolet C-10 in The Skin of the Wolf 1964 Chevrolet C-10 Background role
Details

The Skin of the Wolf Also Known As

15 alternative titles, including “Die Haut des Wolfes” and “Sotto la pelle del lupo”.

Also known as
  • Die Haut des Wolfes
  • Sotto la pelle del lupo
  • עור הזאב
  • Dans la peau du loup
  • Sob a Pele do Lobo
  • Κάτω από το Δέρμα του Λύκου
  • 늑대의 살갗 아래
  • Under vargens skinn
  • В волчьей шкуре
  • Under ulvens pels
  • Вълча кожа
  • A farkas bőre
+3 more
  • 狼皮之下
  • Kurdun Derisi, მგლის ტყავში
  • Bajo la piel del lobo

Seen The Skin of the Wolf?

FAQ

The Skin of the Wolf FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of The Skin of the Wolf, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Skin of the Wolf?

The Skin of the Wolf runs 1 hour 50 minutes (110 minutes).

When was The Skin of the Wolf released?

The Skin of the Wolf was released on July 6, 2018.

Who directed The Skin of the Wolf?

The Skin of the Wolf was directed by Samu Fuentes.

More films by Samu Fuentes

Who is in the cast of The Skin of the Wolf?

The Skin of the Wolf stars Mario Casas as Martinón, Kandido Uranga as Severino and Ruth Díaz as Pascuala, among 10 credited actors.

How much did The Skin of the Wolf make at the box office?

The Skin of the Wolf grossed $52,408 worldwide on a budget of $1.7 million.

How is The Skin of the Wolf rated?

The Skin of the Wolf has 5.9/10 on IMDb, 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, 55% on TMDB and 2.8/5 on Letterboxd.

What awards did The Skin of the Wolf win?

The Skin of the Wolf won 1 award from 2 nominations, including FIPRESCI Special Presentations at the TIFF 2018.

Does The Skin of the Wolf have a post-credit scene?

No. The Skin of the Wolf has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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