Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Raw Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 27, 2021

In 2016, there was so much pre-release hype collected over “Raw,” which shocked some audience members to a point of physical illness during its film festival debut, offering the type of “dare to see it” publicity every movie studio dreams about. The reality is, “Raw” isn’t that extreme, and those who embrace the horror genre on a regular basis are likely going to feel underwhelmed by the grisliness of the effort, which is regulated to only a few brief scenes. Thankfully, the rest of “Raw” is interesting enough to pass, with writer/director Julia Ducournau picking apart femininity and sexual awakening with this tale of cannibalism, constructing a stylish coming-of-age chiller that’s big on bodily fluids and Italian cinema worship. The endeavor is certainly graphic, but it’s also patient with its reveals, which doesn’t always mesh with its shock value intent.

Living a sheltered life with her parents, Justine (Garance Marillier) is about to enter veterinary school, filled with trepidation as she’s exposed to the wild side of campus life. Immediately enduring crazy hazing rituals, Justine makes a friend in her gay roommate, Adrien (Rabah Nait Oufella), with the pair embarking on a series of humiliations and challenges. For Justine, her vegetarianism is challenged by the forced consumption of rabbit kidneys as part of the initiation trials -- an act of digestion that awakens something primal within. While her big sister Alexia (Ella Rumpf) provides only the minimal amount of guidance as the pair rekindles their sibling dynamic, Justine begins to grow aware of her hunger for human flesh, finding substitutes unfulfilling as she tries to manage her newfound urges, resisting the inevitable for as long as she can.

In “Raw,” college is hell, following Justine into a mine field of powermad upper classmen bent on breaking down whatever confidence and personality freshmen decide to bring with them into the dorms. Justine is a meek, wide-eyed young woman who’s been infantilized by her parents, sent to the same medical program they originally met at, following Alexia into the family business. Vegetarianism is also a household rule, challenging the new kid on campus to maintain her beliefs while experiencing vicious hazing behavior on a daily basis, including a day spent soaked in blood, and the aforementioned rabbit kidney snack, which she refuses to push past her lips until Alexia shows her the way, urging her little sister to join the freshman tradition. Justine is a stubborn character, cursed with intelligence that alienates her from others (early on, she’s caught taking the logical argument during a lunchtime debate on animal rape) and a reputation that makes her a target for one resentful professor who’s sick and tired of her family achievements.

Cannibalism eventually comes into view in “Raw,” but not in an obvious manner. Justine’s transformation develops slowly, beginning with a full-body rash that’s written off as food poisoning, while more direct samplings of human flesh arrive in time, with Justine taking advantage of a horrible Brazilian waxing accident to nibble on a finger, which commences a hunger she can’t satisfy. Ducournau maintains squishy events throughout, showcasing the wonders of bloodshed, urine, feces, and vomit, and while “Raw” delivers a periodic visceral kick, the screenplay is more interested in the symbolic nature of Justine’s evolution, which also takes on decidedly sexual significance, watching the virgin use her feminine appeal to bring potential dinners in closer, getting used to her ability to lure, which requires gallons of liquid courage to master. The picture is full of odd encounters (including Justine and Adrien’s run-in with a menacing trucker who has stories to share about pig illness) that throttle the overall tension of the movie, which is always most interesting during alone time with the freshman, who’s profoundly frightened by the monster she’s becoming.

Raw Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.38:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Raw" delivers a crisp look at the often unsavory particulars of the feature. Detail is clear throughout the viewing experience, with special textures on gory encounters and facial surfaces, providing a tour of makeup effects, which are vividly designed. Fine hair on the cast and animals are defined, and costuming is fibrous. Colors are striking, leading with deep reds for blood. Primaries found around the school setting are bright, and wilder lighting choices are evocative. Again, macabre events tend to be most memorable, including the pinkness of a chicken breast Justine digs into. Delineation is satisfactory, preserving frame information during evening and shadowy encounters. Compression issues are periodic, resulting in some blockiness.

Raw Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix provides an immersive listening experience for "Raw," including a startling introduction for the Wild Bunch company banner, which delivers a jolting crack. Dialogue exchanges are crisp and clean, securing somewhat hushed acting choices. Scoring cues support with defined instrumentation, and soundtrack selections offering bolder electro pop dance music, adding some low-end thump to the track. Music offers a circular presence in the surrounds, as do atmospherics, which explore community bustle with the student body and examination room commotion. Sound effects are also sharp, adding to the gooeyness of certain events.

Raw Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historian Emma Westwood and director Julie Ducournau.

• "Genre Matters: Women Genre Filmmakers" (57:05, HD) is a 2016 Monster Fest panel discussion with festival director Briony Kidd, producer Marisa Brown, and directors Julia Ducournau, Heidi Lee Douglas, Mattie Do, Donna McRae, and Isabel Peppard.

• "Opening Night Introduction" (47:30, HD) is a post-screening conversation and Q&A with Monster Fest director Kier-la Janisse and "Raw" director Julia Ducournau.

• "A Votre Gut" (13:53, HD) is an interview with Julia Ducournau, with film historian Emma Westwood (who turns the title "Raw" into a two-syllable word) asking the director a handful of questions about the filmmaking process and story points.

• "Julie Ducournau On" (3:03, HD) provides a short dialogue between the "Raw" helmer and film critic Alexandra Heller- Nicholas, with the pair discussing technology on screen, audience reactions, and the influence of "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre."

• Deleted Scenes (3:03, HD) offer a look at Justine's attempt to corral a drunken Adrien, and her hazy experience during a lecture.

• Promo Video (1:44, HD) highlights a street prank publicity stunt where an actress consumes human body parts in front of horrified onlookers.

• T.V. Spots (1:00, HD) provide two ads for "Raw."

• And Three Trailers (4:11, HD) are included.

Raw Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Marillier and Rumpf are strong in their respective roles, depicting a particular restlessness that helps to understand what Justine is going through, occasionally with Alexia's help. "Raw" requires their expressive faces throughout, especially when relationships grow complicated, with Adrien becoming a key player in their sexual gamesmanship. The feature ends up more about characters than horror, which is acceptable but rarely remarkable, with Ducournau often taking her time when the overall film could use an editorial tightening. "Raw" is a pretty picture (cinematography by Ruben Impens adores Argento-style colors) and provocative to a certain degree, but it chooses to hold back on its ghastly potential, which might inspire some post- screening conversation, but no lingering scares.