Raw

Name: Raw
Genre: Drama, Horror
Released: March 10, 2017
Duration: 99 min
Rating: 81

2017

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 34 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 230 Ratings

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7.2

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7.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 230 Ratings

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Raw (International Trailer 1)

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Movie Details & Credits

Focus World | Release Date: March 10, 2017 | R

Summary: Everyone in Justine’s family is a vet and a vegetarian. At sixteen she’s a brilliant student starting out at veterinary school where she experiences a decadent, merciless and dangerously seductive world. Desperate to fit in, she strays from her family principles and eats raw meat for the first time. Justine will soon face the terrible andEveryone in Justine’s family is a vet and a vegetarian. At sixteen she’s a brilliant student starting out at veterinary school where she experiences a decadent, merciless and dangerously seductive world. Desperate to fit in, she strays from her family principles and eats raw meat for the first time. Justine will soon face the terrible and unexpected consequences as her true self begins to emerge.… Expand

Director: Julia Ducournau

Genre(s): Drama, Horror

Rating: R

Runtime: 99 min

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Critic Reviews

100

David Fear

Mar 16, 2017

If "Get Out" reminds folks that you can smuggle intelligent social commentary and timely conversation-starters in to theaters via explosive genre packages, then Ducournau's feature debut doubles down on the notion. In terms of the female-body politic, it's an art-horror dirty bomb. Read full review

The Playlist Jordan Ruimy

Jun 1, 2016

Although the film is rooted in arthouse film territory, and is particularly inspired by the films of David Cronenberg and David Lynch, Raw turns out to be its own wild animal. Read full review

April Wolfe

Mar 9, 2017

Raw isn’t derivative — it’s fresh, funny, and grounded in reality. Underneath all the blood and guts, this is the story of a woman whose body demands love in extremity and the only person who’ll ever understand her fully: her sister. Read full review

IndieWire Jude Dry

Mar 11, 2017

Ducournau tears down the walls of a genre so often identified with male filmmakers. (Like the father of body horror, David Cronenberg.) Shrewdly using the art-horror format to upend the traditional teen Bildungsroman, “Raw” makes it impossible to look away — as much as you might want to. Read full review

Time Out London Cath Clarke

Mar 15, 2017

Watching Raw is a bit like seeing a toddler crawl toward a four-lane highway. You can’t tear your eyes away, but at same time you want to squeeze them shut. This is a film that doesn’t just put you through the wringer; it scrapes your insides out. It left me trembling for hours. Read full review

Peter Keough

Mar 16, 2017

When Ducournau keeps the viewer off balance and doesn’t lose her own, she shows signs of being an outstanding stylist and storyteller, balancing mood, composition, startling images, slow-burning suspense, and sardonic humor. Read full review

Rex Reed

Mar 11, 2017

Word to the wise: Start saving the vomit bags from your airplane flights. With movies like this, you’re gonna need them. Read full review

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User Reviews

jdiaz

Mar 12, 2017

VISCERAL (visceral) a. 1. Felt in or as if in the internal organs of the body.

2. Dealing with crude or elemental emotions. Merriam-Webster Dictionary Should I be worried with the fact that I liked this movie so much? As with any movie that I rate 5 stars, absolutely nothing that youVISCERAL (visceral) a. 1. Felt in or as if in the internal organs of the body.

2. Dealing with crude or elemental emotions.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Should I be worried with the fact that I liked this movie so much?

As with any movie that I rate 5 stars, absolutely nothing that you read here will do the movie justice.

This film was stunning. When I came into the theatre I had not seen the trailer for this movie and knew close to nothing about it. As soon as credits rolled I was shocked to my core and completely speechless. If I had to describe this movie in one sentence, as bad as it sounds, I would say it is unlike anything I have ever seen before. If I had to describe it with one word, I would say visceral.

Raw perfectly captures sibling relationships and adolescence. It has extraordinarily good musical choices both in the score and in the soundtrack. It also has the most shocking depiction of cannibalism I have seen in my entire life. As strange as it sounds, the scenes featuring cannibalism are oddly relatable. I can't really say why this film works, all I know is it does. It had several of those moments when you really want something to happen but you know it won't, and it doesn't. Except in this movie, it did. I felt my jaw drop at least five times. Finally, it has extremely funny moments that come out of nowhere and alleviate the dark nature. Wow!

Raw is also a special movie to me. Of all the movies I have rated 5 stars it is the only one that I would not recommend to everyone. It is extremely graphic and, some would say, disgusting. And I **** loved it.

This is Julia Ducourneau's first movie and I cannot wait until the next one.

Conclusion: If you have trouble seeing blood and gore, stay away from this. If not, eat it up like a raw human leg.… Expand

9 of 14 users found this helpful95

TheQuietGamer

Oct 23, 2017

College is an interesting time in the life of any young person. For many it's where people truly discover who they are, and usually not without some difficulty. That's what I found the heart of Raw to be. A coming of age story where a girl must find out how to live for the first time uponCollege is an interesting time in the life of any young person. For many it's where people truly discover who they are, and usually not without some difficulty. That's what I found the heart of Raw to be. A coming of age story where a girl must find out how to live for the first time upon awakening to her true self. However, her awakening isn't a sexual one like so many other films would have done. Sure, there are moments where she experiences the pangs of lust, but for the most part her desire for flesh is less carnal and more primal. Raw is a movie where the lead character discovers that she is in fact, a cannibal. Marvelously acted and impeccably written, Raw's depiction of the horrors and beauty of college life in spot-on. There's even a little bit of family dysfunction, sibling rivalry, and the struggle of being female. The movie is simply real in it's portraying of everyday life. You know, minus the cannibal angle. The darker side of the movie is grotesque, twisted, and maybe even a little disturbing. It brings the blood and gore, but doesn't go for shock value. It's remarkably mature where other movies have been excessive or even outright silly. Everything comes together masterfully. It may have a few moments of confusing and pretension that are so often present in the more artsy horror movies of it's ilk, but there's an approachability here that's not always seen in these kinds of films.

Raw is another example of just how great 2017 has been for the horror genre. It's smart, vulgar, and, well, RAW! An incredibly gripping and effective ride through the college experience and the insecurities that are forced on women by society. There's a little bit of everything here, and all of it is powerful. Raw is nothing less than a new classic in the horror genre. One that should be a must watch for hardcore enthusiasts. It may not appeal to more mainstream tastes, but there's little denying that it's an incredible film for the more discerning among us.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

WhiskeyStories

Jan 7, 2018

Raw is surprisingly clever and exhilarating, a wonderfully twisted take on the classic coming of age story. It's disturbing and grotesque (as French horrors ought to be), but at times is at odds with balancing its sophisticated elegant style and trashy grisliness. Reminded me of Refn's TheRaw is surprisingly clever and exhilarating, a wonderfully twisted take on the classic coming of age story. It's disturbing and grotesque (as French horrors ought to be), but at times is at odds with balancing its sophisticated elegant style and trashy grisliness. Reminded me of Refn's The Neon Demon a bit, loved it almost as much as well.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

TVJerry

Apr 3, 2017

A young vegetarian starts her first year at veterinary school, where part of the hazing ritual is to eat raw meat. She develops a taste for it that takes her to dreadful extremes. Since it's a vet college, expect graphic animal scenes and plenty of blood…and that's before she starts herA young vegetarian starts her first year at veterinary school, where part of the hazing ritual is to eat raw meat. She develops a taste for it that takes her to dreadful extremes. Since it's a vet college, expect graphic animal scenes and plenty of blood…and that's before she starts her flesh feast. The woman's gradual discovery about her new need unfolds with creepy revelations, but it's never repulsive…more intriguing, as she develops her sense of empowerment and her taste for meat. Overall, a bit slow and never suspenseful, but still an interesting take on the genre. (French with subtitles)… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Spangle

Sep 19, 2017

Perhaps no viewing experience is as jarring and visceral as the one when watching Raw. A French-Belgian co-production directed by Julia Ducournou, Raw is a deeply European work with a slow pace, lots of ecstasy, open sexuality, and a lack of fear in showing shocking violence. A smart look atPerhaps no viewing experience is as jarring and visceral as the one when watching Raw. A French-Belgian co-production directed by Julia Ducournou, Raw is a deeply European work with a slow pace, lots of ecstasy, open sexuality, and a lack of fear in showing shocking violence. A smart look at growing up, finding what makes you happy (perversely enough), and familial strife, Raw is a film that shocks, stuns, and leaves you somehow dying of laughter once it all ends. Above all, it is a film with so many occurrences that make you look away that it becomes hard to even say you saw the film. For about 70% of this film, watching the film through your hands or just flat out looking away is to be expected. Even then, however, Raw is a film that may try a little too hard to shock and stun its audience, but nonetheless, it is one that works with chilling effect.

Heading into the weirdest veterinary school ever, Justine (Garance Marillier) must embark upon a hazing ritual that includes having her room destroyed to get her to go to a party, being forced to eat raw rabbit kidney, being forced to have sex with some random guy while covered in paint, having blood dumped on her, and more, this hazing ritual is one that is beyond eccentric. Yet, it signals the beginning of her journey to self-discovery. A theme that is wrapped up at the end as she is urged to find what works for her, what will be her "solution". In essence, what will make her happy and feel satisfied in life. College is very much this place to discover this and if the school, the people, or the hostile environment surrounding her (even the professors hate her) and her cannibalism (a hyperbole for being different and sticking out) are not what she wants or one she feels happy existing in being a part of in her life. Finding people who accept her, embrace her differences, and celebrate those differences, is what Justine must find and her father hopes she will find. The only catch is that she is a cannibal. Otherwise, this is very much a film about a young girl trying to find out who she is and often being shocked about what comes out.

Often as a result of this journey of self-discovery, Justine often finds herself in direct conflict with her sister Alexia (Ella Rumpf). Rarely talking in the beginning except when Alexia forces Justine to eat the raw rabbit kidney, the two are shown as being siblings who did not really keep in touch when the elder Alexia started at the veterinary school prior to Justine's arrival. Now that she is there as well, however, Alexia wants to ensure that Justine has the right experience. Taking her under wing, partying, giving her a dress to meet requirements for parties, and showing her the tricks of Brazilian waxing, Alexia is often a rather good sister. Yet, as she hangs out and texts with Justine's gay roommate Adrien (Rabah Nait Oufella), we see the jealousy and rage come out in both of them. Intensely jealous, warning her off of Adrien, eating her finger (wtf), being mocked by Alexia with a cadaver, fighting her in public, and then waking up to a surprise left behind by Alexia, the two of them seem to be in constant competition with one another. A light moment of the two of them trying to pee standing up is even marked with the obvious battle going on between the two. It is a sibling rivalry at its finest and one that often defines this film and Justine's experience at veterinary school. Yet, as with any story of siblings, there are tender moments between the two that show the bond between these sisters. As a result, the film uses this absurd tale of the two young cannibals coming to terms with what they are and finding themselves as a way to explore the unspoken bond between sisters. Though they may be fighting and constantly in competition with one another, even unknowingly with parents or peeing standing up, there is a connection between the two that, when one needs the other, will always take precedence.

Incredibly brutal with violence, Raw - until the end - often handles violence very matter-of-fact. As they perform autopsies on animals or reach their hands in a cow's anus, the veterinarian students seem unbothered by what is occurring and the film exudes the same demeanor. Honestly, it may make this film all the more horrifying as it is positioned as being so normal and typical, with no pomp or circumstance surrounding each introduction of violence. The only time the film stalls a bit to let the impact build up comes in the climactic sequence and in the film's final act, both of which deliver a punch. Nonetheless, in this practically casual violence, Raw finds great horror. It makes it seem so natural to eat a man's bleeding head after a car crash or to bite your sibling in a fight and taste their blood. It is sick, twisted, and deeply unsettling, yet is presented in the same way as a coming-of-age story in which a character discovers a love of music. This disconnect is often what makes Raw so jarring… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

GabMega

Jun 27, 2017

Recordare siempre esta pelicula, no por su mensaje principal, si no que me hizo reir con la mayoria de sus escenas. Recordare siempre esta pelicula, no por su mensaje principal, si no que me hizo reir con la mayoria de sus escenas.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Zlobrak

Nov 13, 2020

This movie does absolutely nothing but try to have shock value. A worthless waste of time.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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66	#66 Best Movie of 2017
94	#94 Most Discussed Movie of 2017
86	#86 Most Shared Movie of 2017