In Raw, the debut feature for director Julia Ducournau, Justine, a committed young vegetarian starts at a college in order to become a vet. After being forced to eat raw meat as part of a hazing prank, she starts to get a taste for it, with the meat of her choice not necessarily animal…
Prior to its release, there were stories about audience members passing out or throwing up at screenings. Whilst that was just typical hype to generate interest in a film that might otherwise be overlooked, such talk does help to pinpoint the major flaw with the movie. Instead of being scary, the film is peppered with gross-out scenes and even those lose their impact after a while. Ducournau does manage to generate a sense of dread but that tension is dissipated when the blood starts to flow.
Garance Marillier impresses as Justine but the rest of the cast get little chance to shine.
Rating: 5.5 out of 10