The way the two actresses understand and interact with each other is masterful, and the film’s central narrative simply wouldn’t work without such open transparency.
Through their on-screen sisterhood, Marillier and Rumpf create an authentically honest family dynamic that elevates even the most refined of scripts. Even in such an unsettling and unusual story, she manages to highlight the most fundamental aspects of humanity and creates a narrative that speaks so truly to this period of our lives. Ducournau clearly has a deeply personal comprehension of what it means to grow up in a society that can be so toxic and unwelcoming to people who don’t fit into the social concept of normality, and that shows through the way she makes her characters appear so real and grounded. Whilst most (hopefully) won’t develop an overwhelming hunger for human flesh as a result of flying the nest, the feelings of fear and immense pressure that Justine displays are easily understood and made relatable. Justine is a young woman who just wants to fit in, and the film explores just how problematic this acquisition of independence can be. Moving away from your childhood home is never easy, but Raw takes this universal anxiety to another level and shows us both the dangers and consequences of teenage independence on an absurd scale. Raw clearly tackles some truly disturbing and troubling themes, but the true meaning of the film is much more tender and poignant than you might imagine – a subtextual exploration of Justine’s integration into adulthood and the consequences that come with juvenile independence. A thoroughly disturbing incident with her sister Alexia ( Ella Rumpf) ignites her lust for human flesh, and it soon becomes clear that her newfound obsession is putting those closest to her in serious danger. Her cravings start innocently: a piece of raw meat here, a self-inflicted wound there – but they soon grow much more dangerous. The story follows lifelong vegetarian Justine ( Garance Marillier), who begins to develop an unsettling craving for blood after being forced to eat a rabbit’s liver as part of her college initiation.
Despite the stories of audiences’ obscene physical and psychological reactions to the sickening film’s premiere at Cannes 2016, there are undoubtedly elements of Raw that show unparalleled understanding of humanity and our varying social dynamics, particularly in reference to maturing youths. But Julia Ducournau’s visionary tale of selfhood and social identity manages to incorporate all of these issues and more into a surprisingly touching coming of age story that effectively blends awkward comedy with grotesque body horror – and somehow never feels out of tune with its central message. When talking about Raw, a film concerning bloodlust, murder and cannibalism, ‘relatable’ may not be the first word that comes to min. Raw capitalises on the darkest, most subdued aspects of humanity and forges a confoundingly relatable tale of teenage rebellion and conformity.
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