A little-known thriller from the summer of 2024, Skincare, has found an audience on Hulu and is now one of the streaming service’s top films. Skincare is the feature directorial debut of Austin Peters, who also co-wrote the film, and it follows a famous aesthetician who is about to launch a line of skincare products, only to find a rival boutique opening up next to her. That, combined with someone calling and watching her from afar, has her believing someone is out to sabotage her life.

The talent involved in Skincare is clear as the film is led by Elizabeth Banks with a supporting cast that features rising star Lewis Pullman, Emmy nominee and Golden Globe winner Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, veteran star Nathan Fillion, and more. It’s the kind of indie film that tends to get overlooked on the big screen, but once people give it a chance, they find something highly intriguing. That’s exactly what happened on Hulu nearly a year after the movie initially hit theaters.

What This Means For Skincare

The Indie Thriller Is Becoming A Surprise Hit

When Skincare was released in August 2024, it only had a limited theatrical run, which is often par for the course with indie films. Due to that small run, Skincare only grossed $456,590 (via Box Office Mojo) and even on a budget that is likely small, that’s not a positive number. However, this is where the positive side of streaming services comes into play. Small thrillers like Skincare tend to get overlooked at the theater but are exactly the kind of thing that streamers gravitate toward at home.

The premise on its own is captivating, as tales of blackmail, sabotage, and mystery are easy to grab a viewer. They may not want to embark on a trip to the theater for this, but they’ll put aside 90 or so minutes to watch it from the comfort of their own homes. More eyes on Skincare is great for everyone involved, as it adds another feather in Pullman’s cap as he becomes a bigger star, allows Banks to remind people of her talent beyond comedic roles, and sets the table for Peters to be a director in demand going forward.

Our Take On Skincare Trending On Hulu

This Is A Good Sign For Indie Movies

A lot has been made about streaming services cutting into the success of major films at the box office and that’s understandable when it comes to blockbusters. Smaller, original indie films like Skincare are typically overlooked at the theater and can mean that the people involved aren’t given a truly fair sH๏τ. However, seeing Skincare trend on Hulu is great because the film is now something of a hit.

This has happened from time to time with indie films. Just last year, some of the most-talked-about movies, including Academy Award Best Picture nominees like Conclave and the horror movie Longlegs, were propped up by strong runs on streaming services. Skincare might not hit those highs but any success that it finds is likely to mean big things for the cast and crew, while also signaling another win for indie films on streaming platforms.