Movie Review - Raw / Grave

Hello friends and welcome back to the blog!

This week I bring you another movie review and today's trip takes us the Francophone universe.

*This is an updated review from 2024, but the original post is from 2017*

This movie was all over the news a few months ago and I decided to give it a try and watch it.
The main theme is cannibalism.

 
Here's a brief explanation on the subject:

"Cannibalism in humans is the act or practice of humans eating the flesh or internal organs of other human beings. A person who practices cannibalism is called a cannibal. The expression cannibalism has been extended into zoology to mean one individual of a species consuming all or part of another individual of the same species as food, including sexual cannibalism."
 

Raw or Grave (original movie name) was a smart and well structured movie. The plot is simple to the eye, but complex in a more detailed way. 

Justine, played by Garance Marillier is a strict vegetarian in first year in veterinarian school.

On the first night at school, her dorm is raided by senior students and so begins the process of a week long hazing exercises. One afternoon she is forced to eat a raw rabbit kidney. She then discovers within herself  the craving for meat - the raw type.

To be fair, I didn't know what to expect at all of this story. 

I read an article that said a lot of people fainted and left the cinema because they couldn't handle the movie. 

I'm a curious human being, I admit and horror movies are one of my favourite genres out there. Gore, slashers, paranormal, ... I see them all.

I decided to ask my sister if she wanted to watch the movie with me. She said yes and we started watching it. 20 minutes in, I felt intrigued and just wanted to watch more, and more. 

My mind was completely wrapped up in the plot and the way the actors played each other's characters. Just a heads up, this is not your typical "zombie" movie.

We emerge into the main character’s universe Justine and face her dilemmas and crisis:  

- Sexuality, doubt and choices. 

The story is extremely interesting and the personal development of the main character, Justine, who went from an innocent girl to a cannibal was very engaging.

The innocence on that girl's eyes was totally destroyed when her meat cravings started to become stronger.

Those factors make you start thinking about the main reason behind her change of behaviour. Why did she started eating meat? What changed inside her own mind?

The bloody effects are flawless and well done. All the  lacerated extremities, bite marks and gaping wounds are perfect. You don't see any kind of meat feast or super bloody scenes and in my eyes that's the beauty of the film.

If you enjoy the gore universe, this movie definitely talks to all of you.

 

 

 

 

I definitely recommend this movie.

It's a smart, addictive and well developed story.

 
Even if you don't like the cannibalistic universe, give it a try, because in the end, you'll be the one sinking your teeth into.

Thank you for taking the time to read this quick review and I hope to see you on my next post.

Have a great day,

Adriana.