HORROR MOVIE REVIEW: RAW



8/10

Justine is starting at veterinary school and it's the first time she has been away from her controlling parents, who insist on her being an absolute vegetarian. It's the first week and she has already tasted a piece of raw meat. This creates a constant craving. As the attraction to her roommate grows stronger, and the competition with the older sister becomes too much to bear, how long will she be able to fight the hunger for human flesh?

RAW became infamous when at numerous premiers people walked out, vomited and fainted. This created a reputation of a "must see" film for any horror fan. In fact RAW has only a couple of disturbing moments, and even those are dependant on the circumstances of the scene - the gore is much less disturbing than the predicament the characters find themselves in. 

Horrors aside, RAW is a feministic tale about being different and learning things about oneself in the process, that may not quite please you. It is also a tale of inheritance, and of what it’s like being “a prisoner of birth”. In France, where the class system is stronger than ever, this is a very familiar issue. Once you are a part of a certain circle it is almost impossible to break free.


Plotwise, RAW has a few surprises in store. The script is more complex than it seems at first sight and the final revelation, if not entirely unexpected, is a satisfying one. All in all RAW feels like a very complete piece of moviemaking, deep enough not to be boring; entertaining, but with a clear message and a punch in the gut when you least expect it. It is designed to shock you to make you think. 

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