Under My Skin (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

Under My Skin is a 16-minute French-language drama short centered on Gabriel, who hosts a celebratory party after his childhood abuser is convicted. As the evening becomes flirtatious, his closeness with Lucien exposes a difficult tension between tenderness, desire and control.

Under My Skin is a 2026 Swiss drama short written and directed by Robin Kaufmann. The film follows Gabriel during an emotionally charged evening shaped by the conviction of the man who abused him as a child.

At 16 minutes, the story focuses on a confined social setting where celebration, attraction and unresolved confusion overlap. Its premise places Gabriel’s relationship with Lucien at the center of a question suggested by the tagline: “How to love without desire?”

Under My Skin movie details

Story without spoilers

Gabriel invites friends to a party to mark the conviction of the person who abused him in childhood. With Lucien alongside him, he turns the gathering into a flirtatious dance floor, using the energy of the evening to distance himself from his past.

The celebration becomes more complicated as Gabriel responds to Lucien’s gentleness while also pursuing desire. Without revealing the outcome, the film examines how affection and control can become difficult to separate for someone carrying the effects of past abuse.

What to expect

Under My Skin is a compact drama built around a single party and an intimate emotional conflict. Dance, flirtation and friendship provide the immediate setting, while the story’s focus remains on Gabriel’s struggle to understand closeness and desire.

The film’s queer perspective and subject matter suggest a serious, psychologically focused short rather than a broad social drama. Its 16-minute runtime points to a concentrated narrative, with the premise organized around Gabriel, Lucien and the emotional tension that develops between them.

Cast and creative team

Mehdi Djouad plays Gabriel, the film’s central character, while Léo Zagagnoni plays Lucien. Louise Crouzet appears as Laura, and Erwan Kepoa Falé plays Marius.

Robin Kaufmann serves as both director and writer. The principal production companies are École Cantonale d'Art de Lausanne and Louise Productions Lausanne.

• Mehdi Djouad as Gabriel
• Léo Zagagnoni as Lucien
• Louise Crouzet as Laura
• Erwan Kepoa Falé as Marius

Release and production context

Under My Skin is a 2026 short film from Switzerland, with a listed release date of October 27, 2026. It is classified as a drama and has a runtime of 16 minutes. The film is in French and was produced by École Cantonale d'Art de Lausanne and Louise Productions Lausanne.

Production companies: École Cantonale d'Art de Lausanne, Louise Productions Lausanne

Movies Dock view

Under My Skin presents a focused story about the complicated relationship between healing, attraction and emotional boundaries. With its short format, French-language setting and tightly defined premise, it offers a concise dramatic portrait of Gabriel’s attempt to navigate intimacy after abuse.

Film data:
TMDB