In The Skin I Live In, Antonio Banderas plays a demented plastic surgeon who, after his wife burns to death in a car crash, is bent on cultivating a new type of skin impervious to fire, even it means holding a human test subject hostage in his mansion.

The film, directed by Pedro Almodovar, marks a milestone for Banderas. He appeared in five Almodovar films in the 1980s before making the jump to Hollywood and The Skin I Live In is their first film together since 1990's Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!.

Banderas spoke to CBC News about the intricacies and challenges of playing such a troubled character.