This French-horror piece directed by Julia Ducournau has been hit with a substantial amount of buzz nationally and internationally. Whether from being praised for its ingenious quality or subject to notoriety for reportedly causing audiences to either leave the theaters early or rush to the restroom to blow chunks, this film is undoubtedly unique. The central theme is this horror tale is cannibalism, which is the tool to operate this gruesome coming-of- age where its revolting content is polished by sleek artistic style. Above its nauseating material is a commentary about discovering a hidden side of yourself and exploring the true you, a message that is greatly examined through the lens of a filmmaker who has a gift for telling a potent story without resorting entirely to gory exploitation. It's smart, it's subtle, and at times, shockingly funny. But one thing's sure, it is most certainly not for the faint of the heart. This film brings us Justine (played by Garance Marmillier), an 18-year old girl starting her freshman year at a veterinarian academy where she is introduced to a carnivorous hazing ritual in a form of a fraternity. Growing up as a vegetarian, Justine is forced to make the undesirable choice of eating a raw rabbit kidney by her older sister Alexa (played by Elena Rumpf) or risk being socially outcasted. Upon consuming the meat, Justine experiences bizarre changes to herself that lead her to growing an obsessive appetite for human flesh, an appetite that poses a danger to both herself and her fellow peers.
As convincing as it may sound, this is not a zombie movie -- though it most certainly shares a few traits of one. And the title definitely fits the description for the events that transpires throughout the picture. Above the lurid violence and raw sexual material is something much more shrewd for those with a strong stomach to admire. Director Julia Ducournau orchestrates an ingenious character study of a girl who is a fish-out-of-water upon entering a college life that strays far beyond what she (or the audiences for the matter) would imagine, and the psychological journey she endures becomes the driving force of the story. The relationship between her and her sister grows into a crucial subplot, and thanks to the performances by Garance Marmillier and Elena Rumpf; they each bring a helping hand at making it strike at the heart. Marmillier plays her role with stunning, yet bizarre conviction that will engage some while alienate others, especially when she is busy munching on human meat. Rumpf's performance is hardly any difference. And while the story does stumble in a few spots with trying to figure out how to proceed, it magnificently exhibits care for its characters and offers a powerful artistic style with its surreal erotic tone. Ducournau demonstrates she is not afraid to push boundaries, and that only allows for an experience that is powerful, albeit deeply unsettling and uncomfortable even for the most desensitized audience. By the end, the only real qualm viewers are likely to walk away from is the inability to unsee some of the nauseating imagery that occurs.
Raw is a surprisingly subtle horror tale with a unique vision at the absurd side of human nature and an uncompromising demonstration at pushing the boundaries with gross, yet effective shock value. For some, this movie will come off as a challenge, which is reasonable to think. Nonetheless, it is a film with a brain only the harden viewers will witness.
As convincing as it may sound, this is not a zombie movie -- though it most certainly shares a few traits of one. And the title definitely fits the description for the events that transpires throughout the picture. Above the lurid violence and raw sexual material is something much more shrewd for those with a strong stomach to admire. Director Julia Ducournau orchestrates an ingenious character study of a girl who is a fish-out-of-water upon entering a college life that strays far beyond what she (or the audiences for the matter) would imagine, and the psychological journey she endures becomes the driving force of the story. The relationship between her and her sister grows into a crucial subplot, and thanks to the performances by Garance Marmillier and Elena Rumpf; they each bring a helping hand at making it strike at the heart. Marmillier plays her role with stunning, yet bizarre conviction that will engage some while alienate others, especially when she is busy munching on human meat. Rumpf's performance is hardly any difference. And while the story does stumble in a few spots with trying to figure out how to proceed, it magnificently exhibits care for its characters and offers a powerful artistic style with its surreal erotic tone. Ducournau demonstrates she is not afraid to push boundaries, and that only allows for an experience that is powerful, albeit deeply unsettling and uncomfortable even for the most desensitized audience. By the end, the only real qualm viewers are likely to walk away from is the inability to unsee some of the nauseating imagery that occurs.
Raw is a surprisingly subtle horror tale with a unique vision at the absurd side of human nature and an uncompromising demonstration at pushing the boundaries with gross, yet effective shock value. For some, this movie will come off as a challenge, which is reasonable to think. Nonetheless, it is a film with a brain only the harden viewers will witness.