MYSTERIOUS SKIN — ** 1/2 — Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Brady Corbet, Michelle Trachtenberg; rated NC-17 (profanity, sex, drugs, rape, vulgarity, gore, violence, brief nudity).

Though it does feature a subplot about UFO abductions, "Mysterious Skin" is much more of a horror movie than science fiction.

On the other hand, screenwriter/director Gregg Araki's latest film, an adaptation of Scott Heim's best-selling novel, is not horror in the traditional sense. It's about the human horror of child sexual abuse.

As you might expect from an Araki film, "Mysterious Skin" never turns away from the often repellent and extremely challenging material, and at times it's pretty graphic in its depiction of abuse and the gay lifestyle.

Obviously, that makes the film hard to watch, and yet those who do may find it hard to turn away. They'll certainly find it difficult to forget, as this is easily the most unsettling, skin-crawling movie in recent memory.

The film also benefits from a strong starring performance by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who plays Neil McCormick, a male prostitute who had his sexual awakening at age 8, after being molested by his Little League baseball coach (Bill Sage).

Apparently, so was Brian Lackey (Brady Corbet), a shy, introverted teen who is suffering from disturbing memories and nightmares, as well as blackouts and nosebleeds. However, Brian believes he may have been abducted by space aliens. But if that's the case, why has Neil started appearing in his nightmares, and why is he still wearing his baseball uniform?

Araki does get sidetracked a little by some go-nowhere subplots, including one about two of Neil's friends (Jeffrey Licon and Michelle Trachtenberg), who are in love with him, as well as a lonely alleged alien abductee (Mary Lynn Rajskub).

Still, this is easily the best, most accomplished film Araki has done to date (which, admittedly, is not saying much). Though it's dark, it does lack his trademark nihilism and bitterness, which would really have made this unwatchable.

Gordon-Levitt is terrific, showing real charisma and a commanding presence. Corbet may not be able to match him, but he's certainly better here than he was in last year's horrid TV-to-big-screen remake of "Thunderbirds."

"Mysterious Skin" is rated NC-17 for frequent use of strong sexual profanity, scenes of simulated gay sex, strong drug content (marijuana, cocaine and LSD use), male rape, crude sexual references and other sex talk, some gore, some violence (including sexual violence) and brief male nudity. Running time: 99 minutes.

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E-mail: jeff@desnews.com