A thriller with the right cosmetics.

I’m told that “Skincare” has a fictionalized story inspired by true events. It shares similarities to a one-side feud between West Hollywood facialists Dawn DaLuise and Gabriel Suarez. And about a decade ago, DaLuise spent jail time for attempting to solicit the murder of Suarez. I don’t know the whole story, because I just found out about it, but after seeing the altered version, I can tell when it wants to retell that story without trying so hard.

Directed by Austin Peters (who has made some Orville Peck music videos), it really does represent the stress and irritation of someone being hacked and having their lives practically destroyed, while having a fine lead like Elizabeth Banks dealing with this kind of pathos.

This takes place in Los Angeles of 2013. Banks plays Hope Goldman, a celebrity aesthetician, who runs a cosmetics business-Hope Goldman Skin Care-and is starting her own line of products. She also comes across some competition: Shimmer By Angel, run by Angel Vergara (Luis Gerardo Mendez), who ambiguously threatens to ruin her business.

Then, she finds out from a client (Wendie Malick) that someone hacked into her account and sent her friends and clients an email about her being horny and in financial debt.

It could be Angel behind this, especially since he takes over her interview on The Brett & Kylie Show. She tries to talk some sense into Brett (Nathan Fillion), but he agrees to help for a dirty price. So, not much help here.

There’s also her receptionist friend Marine (Michaela Jae Rodriguez) and her new life coach friend Jordan Weaver (Lewis Pullman), who both become supportive of her pathos. Although only one of them worries about her well-being.

“Skincare” is a movie that will leave you irritated by the stress of someone being hacked and having their lives destroyed and entertained by the universally excellent performances from Banks, Pullman, and Mendez. Banks has the fiery attitude to merge with the drama and difficulties of being hacked. Pullman is a natural young actor in the ways he presents his character (there are things I can’t spoil). And Mendez has appeared in crappy movies like “Charlie’s Angels” (co-starring and directed by Banks), “Half Brothers” and “Me Time,” but now, he’s part of something interesting. And he also has charisma in the role.

I’ve mentioned before in my “Beekeeper” review that I was hacked, and it’s not fun. Believe me. And whoever attacked me hasn’t done so since. So, I can acknowledge what the main heroine is going through. But not in the ways she’s suffering and dealing with them.

I’m not completely sure how close the movie is to the true events, and I know this is a fictionalized version. But I’m not really easing into the scenes regarding the TV host trying to have his way with Hope, and her trying to gain the upper hand. They don’t have much payoff, and seem to be going through the motions.

But outside those scenes, there are genuine moments regarding men threatening the main heroine for sex, because that what her hacked account was promoting. And there are also comments about accusations and which character is a saint and which one is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. It certainly has more characteristics than the Simu Liu villain in “Jackpot.” Unlike that movie, “Skincare” is well worth your time.