Raw | 2016
Directed by: Julia Ducournau
Main Plot
Raw follows the story of Justine, a young vegetarian who enrolls in a prestigious veterinary school. As she navigates the challenges of her new environment, she is subjected to a brutal initiation ritual by her peers, which forces her to confront her deepest instincts. After being coerced into eating raw meat for the first time, Justine discovers a newfound craving for flesh that awakens a dark and primal side within her. As her appetite grows uncontrollable, she struggles to balance her emerging desires with her identity and moral beliefs. The film explores themes of transformation, self-discovery, and the complexities of human nature, as Justine grapples with the consequences of her actions and the impact they have on her relationships. The story unfolds in a visceral and unsettling manner, blending elements of horror and coming-of-age drama.
Characters
- Garance Marillier plays Justine, a vegetarian veterinary student who develops a craving for human flesh after a hazing ritual at her new school.
- Ella Rumpf plays Alexia, the protagonist's older sister, who introduces her to a dark family secret, significantly influencing her transformation and the film's central conflict.
- Rabah Nait Oufella plays Adrien, Justine's gay roommate and close friend, who becomes entangled in her disturbing transformation and the film's exploration of primal urges.
Ending Explained
In the ending of Raw, the main character, Justine, fully embraces her cannibalistic urges after a series of harrowing events. The film builds tension as Justine, a vegetarian, undergoes a disturbing transformation after being forced to eat raw meat during a hazing ritual at veterinary school. As her cravings intensify, she becomes increasingly isolated and conflicted about her identity. The climax occurs when Justine's sister, Alexia, confronts her about their shared cannibalistic tendencies. In a tragic turn, Justine's hunger leads to a violent confrontation with Alexia, resulting in Alexia's death. This pivotal moment signifies Justine's complete surrender to her primal instincts, marking a loss of her previous self. The film concludes with Justine consuming her sister's remains, symbolizing her acceptance of her new identity as a cannibal. The ending resolves the central conflict of Justine grappling with her dual nature—her desire to fit in versus her horrifying new reality. It underscores themes of transformation, the struggle for self-acceptance, and the dark side of human nature. Justine's final act serves as a haunting resolution that leaves the audience questioning the boundaries of morality and the consequences of unchecked desires.