Welcome one and all to part 41 of my weekly blog, The 52 In 52. Each week I take a DVD or Blu Ray that has been gathering dust on my shelf and I review it. Last week I reviewed the Stephen King adaptation, Salem's Lot.
If you have any comments or feedback on this or any of my posts leave a comment in the section below or by following me on Twitter and Instagram. Speaking of Instagram, I am taking part in my annual tradition of October being Horror Month. Each day of October I watch and post about all things horror. Follow along on Instagram.
This week I am writing about the 2019 remake of David Cronenberg's, Rabid. Written and directed by The Soska Sisters, Rabid follows the story of fashion designer, Rose (Laura Vandervoort) who suffers after having a horrific crash. Rose is offered to be part of a life altering clinical trial that will help her fully recover from her disfiguring injuries. Things start to take a turn for the insane when Rose starts feeling the urge to attack people and unwittingly causes a pandemic.
I had heard a lot of good things about Rabid and had no prior knowledge of the original other than it existed. I loved Rabid a lot and feel that it is impressive considering the relatively small budget. The story moves along at a decent pace and is told in an interesting and engaging way. There are some really suspenseful moments in the film and I feel that quality of story telling that The Soska Sisters show and their understanding of the horror genre and where it is today really makes for an entertaining film.
Laura Vandervoort is outstanding as Rose. I loved that there was some real development of the character throughout the film. When the audience is introduced to Rose she is shy and nervous and when she sees the extent of her injuries she is devastated and Vandervoort is really believable. As the second act progresses she really develops a strength and toughness that is fantastic. Ted Atherton puts in a skin crawling performance as Dr William Borroughs, however I would have liked to have seen more from his character. Hanneke Talbot is also fantastic as Rose's best friend and model, Chelsea but, like Atherton, I would have liked to have seen more of her character. Phil Brooks puts in a decent performance as Billy, slimy and sleazy and every part the unwitting victim for Rose's hunger.
The effects work used throughout this film is fantastic and really is one of the high points of the film. The blood and gore are realistic and stomach churning. Rabid is another example of what I love about modern horror cinema. A lot of film makers are now using practical effects rather than CGI and I really think that this gives films like this a more realistic feel. There is a real nod to David Cronenberg with the creature that lives inside Rose and also the creature that appears towards the end of the film, using the body shock theme.
Overall Rabid is an intense and suspenseful gore fest that really is a fine example of The Soska Sisters incredible talent. Laura Vandervoort is a fantastic lead, showing vulnerability and strength in equal measure. The practical effect work adds a gruesome and altogether nasty feel to this excellent remake.
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