Paper Skin

Paper Skin is an absurdist dark satire about paranoia, masculinity, and the danger of projection. When a man receives a mysterious cardboard box labelled, “There’s a girl in this box,” he and his friend, Ronnie, become convinced that whatever lies inside is something far more sinister. As their suspicions spiral into hysteria, the two men descend into increasingly irrational attempts to destroy the perceived threat. Blending surreal humour with psychological tension, the film explores how fear and ideology can strip away empathy and turn the ordinary into something monstrous.

Anyone who donates $5 or more is eligible for a 33% tax credit. Make sure to check out our Instagram @paperskin2026 and follow to stay up to date with the project's journey.
 

Kia ora, my name’s Sorcha O’Grady. I’m a third-year film student at Massey University and the writer/director of Paper Skin. This is my first time directing, and I am loving the experience so far. The idea for Paper Skin came to me randomly one day when I was in a bit of a creative rut and zoning out during one of my lectures. I kept imagining a girl in a box, and from there the idea came to fruition. I am so excited to see Paper Skin come to life, and I’m super stoked to have all female HODs! 
 

Here's a list of our HODs from Massey University. We're all excited to tell this chilling story that will be a closing chapter to our time in tertiary education.

Director - Sorcha O'Grady

Producer - Amelie Boyle

Director of Photography - Ella Kenna

Gaffer - Astrid Nixon

1st AD - Mary Maughn

Sound Recordist - Evia Linnell-Olson

Editor - Hannah Bain

General Art Department

Mask creation - commission work by two talented artists for elaborate masks

Craft services - feeding our cast and crew

Transport

Actor payment

Taking 'Paper Skin' further with festivals

Paper Skin is a third-year major project, short film. We are all dedicated to creating a thoughtful, yet terrifying film that criticizes society and confronts the viewer.

I feel that when 'monstrous feminine' is portrayed currently on screen, it often centers the woman as the "monster". I want to subvert this idea by showing the men transforming into these monsters instead. Central to the vision is the idea that the woman remains unseen, existing only as an idea, while the men, driven by fear and control, become the true monsters, forcing the audience to confront what lies within themselves. 

I feel there is a place for this kind of narrative in today's society as it adds a new perspective to a genre that is growing increasingly popular in today's culture (The Substance, The Witch, Carrie...), and being a woman entering this society myself and experiencing the effects of living in a male dominated world I feel I am the right person to tell it.