Of all the films in this year’s festival circuit, RAW is getting the most hype. You may have read an article about a woman passing out over one of the more graphic scenes, or that people had to leave the theatre in disgust. Despite these silly reports, which may have been true, the movie is gaining a momentous wave of positive buzz, and I have to add to this tidal wave of praise. RAW is arguably one of the best films to screen at Fantastic Fest this year. It has stayed with me long after my screening, so much so, that I dug up my notes and decided to write it up!
As an astounding first, feature-length film for director Julia Ducournau, RAW takes on a unique perspective of the coming-of-age genre. The main character, Justine, played by Garance Marillier, is a young new student at a veterinarian school that hosts a week-long hazing period of epic proportions. Her older sister, Alexia, by the beautiful Ella Rumpf, is also enrolled in the same school, which offers her a built-in support system, as well as a treacherous ally through her hazing. There is no doubt that these two sisters love each other fiercely, despite the cruelty and betrayal that they inflict on each other. Their relationship is at once puzzling and cathartic at the same time. The actors deliver intense and gritty performances, including Rabah Nait Oufella, who plays Adrien, Justine’s roommate. It must not have been easy or altogether “pleasant” to shoot this film, but you see 100% commitment from the cast shine through in every scene.
The movie is crafted brilliantly. The audience is kept off-kilter for most of the film offering an elegant disorientation, paralleling Justine’s journey of self-discovery. It’s crazy and horrible but mesmerizing, and even in the intensely gory scenes, you don’t want to look away. I admit I experienced a moment of utter disgust and a bit of nausea, so yes, some movie-goers might get the urge to boot in their popcorn. These visceral scenes serve the story beautifully and add depth, relevance, and of course, sheer terror. You should be physically uncomfortable with what is happening to Justine because the movie is crafted so smartly that you are sharing her experiences. She’s scared, confused, and vulnerable, and as you watch, you feel her angst. That’s why this movie is so strong, you are with Justine, from one gruesome discovery to the next. It’s fevered and painful, as much as it is poignant and bittersweet.
Films like this revitalize the horror movie genre and raise the bar to give the genre more gravitas. Most horror filmmakers would approach this story with an exploitative angle, but Ducournau doesn’t. She tackles the subject matter with ferocity and not one ounce of gratuitous bullshit. From the opening sequence, to the final scene that sucker punches your brain, RAW is a gift to horror fans everywhere.
Make it a point to go see it when you get the chance. It might gross you out, but you’ll get one heck of a movie watching experience.
Thanks for reading!
Diva Del Mar
