Skin Traffik: A Rough Diamond In The Roughest Of Stories

Alright folks, let’s chat about “Skin Traffik.” Now this is not your usual Friday night cozy blanket kinda movie. It’s gritty and feels like it’s been dragged through the Stockholm cobblestones—both good and bad. Starring Mickey Rourke who’s looking as rugged as ever, and that infamous kick you in the face presence of Daryl Hannah. The director, Ara Paiaya, really threw everything and the kitchen sink into this one. Hero to villain, and every role in between, is packed with all the action sequences possibly trashing all show’s budgets for a decade. And speaking of budgets, the film’s definitely got this raw, indie vibe that might be a love or hate situation, kinda like surströmming.

I remember back in 2017 when I met Mickey at a festival in Göteborg. The guy’s an absolute icon, chain-smoking outside in the cold, reminding me of his character here—tough, tired, but oddly charming. He told me how sometimes roles choose you, not the other way around. Can say I noticed that about this film too.

Skin Traffik’s plot is darker than a Swedish winter afternoon, unraveling around the dirty business of human trafficking. A bit too real to handle sometimes, evoking shades of Liam Neeson’s set of skills in “Taken”, except with a grittier filter. Some parts maybe try too hard, dialogue-wise; they have a bite, but you occasionally wish for more depth. Like eating knäckebröd without cheese.

However, you can feel the heart beneath. It’s not polished, more like a raw gem. If you’re into action with a hefty side of social commentary—over some coffee and kanelbullar, as we Swedes do—this could be an intriguing watch. Just, keep a light on.

Check the trailer below