🎬 𝑹𝒂𝒘 (2016)

👉Full movie at end of the post

"Raw" (2016), directed by Julia Ducournau, is a provocative French-Belgian horror drama that explores the intense transformation of a young woman as she navigates the challenges of adulthood and her own primal instincts. The film follows Justine (Garance Marillier), an 18-year-old vegetarian who leaves her family to attend veterinary school. At her new school, she encounters brutal hazing rituals, one of which forces her to consume raw meat for the first time. This act sets off a chain of events that awakens a disturbing craving for human flesh.

As Justine struggles with this newfound appetite, her physical and emotional state begins to deteriorate, and she is drawn into a dangerous world of carnality and violence. Her older sister, Alexia (Ella Rumpf), who is a student at the same school, becomes both a guide and a threatening figure as Justine’s desires grow more uncontrollable. The film explores themes of identity, repression, and the loss of innocence as Justine is forced to confront the darker aspects of herself.

Raw is a coming-of-age tale wrapped in a visceral horror narrative, pushing boundaries and challenging societal norms. The film's exploration of cannibalism is symbolic of the internal and external conflicts that arise during a period of intense personal growth. Justine’s journey into adulthood is both literal and metaphorical as she must reconcile her former identity with the monstrous urges she now feels.

The film’s disturbing imagery and intense body horror are offset by a subtle emotional undercurrent that touches on family relationships, especially the dynamic between Justine and her sister. The tension between love and violence, innocence and corruption, is a central theme, with Justine’s transformation highlighting the consequences of self-discovery in an environment that encourages conformity and repression.

Raw garnered critical acclaim for its bold storytelling, strong performances, and its ability to seamlessly blend horror with emotional depth. It stands out not only for its shock value but also for its underlying commentary on societal expectations, personal autonomy, and the inherent violence within human nature. Ducournau’s film is a disturbing yet captivating exploration of the complex nature of growing up and finding one's place in the world.