Psychological horror / suspense story centers around Cathy (Shari Shattuck), a young school teacher married to the owner of a crematorium. After she's attacked and nearly raped by her ex-husband, Cathy kills him and attempts to cover up the murder.

Based on the memoirs of author Curzio Malaparte, diplomatic liaison between the Allied and Italian forces after the defeat of the Nazis in Italy, The Skin follows the collapse of Italian society under the US occupation and the desperate measures required for survival.