Rabid (2019) [DVD]

I love how this takes the heart of Cronenberg, processes it through the incredibly messed up minds of the Soska sisters and in the process manages to comment on the patriarchal undercurrents of his work. It stands as both loving tribute and vicious critique. Also, on its own, it is a heck of a time.

Not quite a faithful remake of the original Rabid (1977). There’s plenty of blood, to be sure, but that only goes so far. Throwing in some social commentary didn’t help, making this a treatise on image, fashion, and fads. Then too, the lead actress wasn’t sympathetic enough, in fact she was quite bland. Her ‘monster face’ was the real star of this knockoff. Whoever designed it knew what they were doing. Beyond that, there was just too much fashion, it kept getting in the way of the story. It started to feel like Project Runway.

The Soska sisters’ remake of David Cronenberg’s 1977 classic.After a serious traffic accident, young fashion designer Rose (Laura Vandervoort; Jigsaw, V, Bitten, Smallville) is left gruesomely disfigured with her jaw wired shut, much of her upper lip torn off, and her lacerated gums and teeth partially bare. Right away I’m pleased with the brazen special effects. Rose looks monstrous, feels unsightly and credibly horrified by herself, and we see her wounds quite a bit.With her medical leave rendering Rose temporarily jobless and homeless, her childhood foster sister and former co-worker Chelsea (Hanneke Talbot; Ready or Not) moves her in for her long recovery from her injuries. Utilizing an experimental technique in regenerative medicine called stem cell manipulation, Dr. Burroughs (Ted Atherton; Max Payne, The Expanse, V-Wars) treats Rose and literally erases her scars. Additionally she is more beautiful than even before the procedure… and suspiciously no longer needs her glasses. Little does Rose know, her procedure comes with abnormal side effects and leaves her with an infectious condition.After a night out, Rose’s “infection” spreads like an outbreak virus carried by an Ebola monkey! Among those who came in contact with her, a man goes ballistic and zombie-bites a colleague’s face, tearing chunks of flesh from his cheek. Apparently, those infected by Rose ultimately become blood-craving rage zombies; mindless and rabid. To such end, many scenes play out like 28 Days Later (2002).Overall, I enjoyed this remake (a lot). But it definitely had its weak points. This film’s weakest suit is the depiction of widespread panic of the rabies’ spread. The editing, the clip montage, the delivery of the imagery… the assembly of the scene felt weak. Similarly unengaging was the chaos at the local hospital as rabid patients convulse tied down to their beds and one gets shot by security growling down the halls. But this criticism is limited to about 5-10 minutes of an otherwise solid movie which finds itself belabored with scenes attempting to capture grand scope. This otherwise plays well when focusing on Rose and her immediate victims.Rolling into the finale we find some satisfying monstrous creature effects. They seem a bit over-the-top when compared to the 1977 original, but they also seem waaaay more fun! If anything, I expected directors Jen and Sylvia Soska (American Mary, ABCs of Death 2) to have more gore and monstrosity and shock value—strong suits for these filmmakers.The acting, writing, photography, production and effects all served us well. Because this was a remake of Cronenberg’s lower tier 1977 film, I feel it managed to contemporize and even revitalize the story. Whereas a “great film” this is not; a very good horror movie in general it is and a really fun contemporary monster movie! As a fan of remakes (yes, I just said that) and Cronenberg, I enjoyed it.

Love the movie wasn't sure what to expect then as it progress it start to get interesting it a story about a girl who gets into an accident and to recover from her injuries she opted into an experimental procedure that seems to have cored her only to have bizarre effects that seem like a nightmare turn all to real.

I was very hyped for this movie, I love the director's and thought they would make a great Cronenberg remake but there's one crucial change that ruins everything.... the main character is unaware they're attacking people and are in a sort of trance/alternative personality. This feels like a cheap way to avoid having a protagonist that engages in horrible activities and make the overall story feel sanitized.

The media could not be loaded.  Has slip

Typical body horror/ mad doctor stuff; remake of the Cronenberg movie but minus his genuine flair and oddness. Some care was put into the production aspects of this movie, and there are some very welcome acting turns (well, two anyway and that's not enough) but this just serves to make you angry that the film itself was not any better. Hard to watch in one sitting because no mater how much gore and "action" is here, this movie never finds its rhythm and you will be bored and distracted.

This movie is a smart update of a horror classic. Lead actress is wonderful. The writing is smart. Super gory and great creature effects! Check this out!

In preparation to watch this re-make of David Cronenberg’s classic (FIRST!) horror flick: RABID - I re-watched the original again and found that it still holds up on a basic level. Despite its’ bare bones budget it manages to provide an enjoyably disturbing viewing experience with plot elements that feel creepily prescient in the time of the COVID pandemic.Happy to report that this new version is shockingly fun and should be enjoyed by horror & gore fans. After first watching the movie I checked out the ‘extras’ and viewed the ‘behind the scenes’ feature w/ the Soska Sisters who directed it. This.dynamic Canadian duo are self-admitted mega-fans of Cronenberg and their worshipful respect for the original Rabid, and its’ maker, shine forth in every frame of the film. While the new version is not a ‘shot-for-shot’ re-hash there are many references to the original included for other Cronenberg fans - plus many new scenes & plot twists to keep it fresh. Gorgeous actress Laura Vandervoort reprises the lead role performed by porn-star Marilyn Chambers in the 70’s version and does a great job. As the Soska siblings state in their interview - they put a more feminist slant on their version with strong undercurrents of female empowerment driving the new narrative. As such it might be noted that there is. no female nudity in their version - but there IS a bit of male flesh on display.While this new take on the classic displays some plot-holes (again- similar to the original) it manages to provide a shocking and entertaining viewing experience. Some great prosthetic make-up effects and a punchy sound track keep things moving forward and the ‘plague’ aspect of the plot make it extra disturbing at THIS time. The Soska Sisters are quite the refreshing millennial pair and they should be justifiably proud of this homage to their mentor - Mr Cronenberg.

商品説明では字幕有りとなってますが日本語字幕ではありません英語です。因みにカスタマーサービスでは英語字幕と表記してあるらしいです笑っインポートの表記なく字幕付きと書いてあったので買っちゃいました。タイトルも英語、画像も英語、お薦めもインポート、これで日本版だと思う方がおかしいかな？アウターケース付いてたけど破れてるし。映画事態面白くないし踏んだり蹴ったり叩いたり。余りクロネンバーグ臭が無さすぎてリメイクぽくない。ドーンやピラニアもそうでしたが。

This overly ambitious remake of the original Cronenberg film pays hommage to the cult icon throughout, with interesting references and nods to a variety of Cronenberg's films, while folding everything into a 21st century aesthetic. This Canadian feature made and funded by Canadians and only available on bluray from a US distributor, is well worth seeking out for those who are fans of the sisters, Cronenberg, and or the genre.

A bit bloody with a bit of gore! An excellent more up to date of a Croneberg classic. Laura Vandervoort looks great as usual.