"Grave" is a French horror drama movie from 2016 and actually, without showing up at the really big events, a truly meaningful player during the awards season back then. This made it a huge success and breakthrough film for writer and director Julia Ducournau as well as lead actress Garance Marillier. The vegetarian aspect that is mentioned so prominently in the plot description can really be neglected. Even the interesting scene early on when we see it is basically pressed upon the protagonist by her mother is not as significant as it sounds, well at least not until the very end when we find out something intriguing about this perspective. The film runs for almost 100 minutes and basically depictes a young woman being sucked deeper and deeper into the abyss of carnal desires and with that I only mean sex to a lesser extent, but it's really all about the meat and she cannot get enough of it, even in pretty violent and disturbing manners. The best example is of course when she eats her sister's finger after a freak accident instead of trying to keep it cold, so it can be "reinstalled" by doctors immediately. The sister is a good example here for the example of a seemingly wild character, also extreme to some extent, but the longer the film goes, the more we find out she is nothing compared to Justine, our "hero" here, a seemingly shy and reserved girl who turns out the exact opposite. Marillier felt perfect for the character and I can see why many found the film and story so appealing with what she invests in the role. I am not sure if it was a great performance, but it is hopefully something that can keep her in the industry for a few years more, hopefully even decades. And there's no denying her physical appeal, for example in the shower scene or the bloody sex scene with the allegedly gay room member. Another great moment from her is also a great moment for Ducournau and I am speaking of course about the scene under the blanket in bed where she tries to keep her desires back, but not a chance as they have overtaken her long ago. Aside from her, those parts about her family, her fellow students, her friends etc. are all fairly decent, but those moments where the film really stands out are those that she has alone I would say like the scene I just mentioned. It's tough to put a finger on what I mean, but I must say for greatness and including it in my favorite list of the year, something is missing still, but it may very well make my list of top5 horror films from 2016 and also always nice to see something of quality coming from France with this genre these days compared to how bad things are looking here in Germany. Go check out "Grave". It's easy to appreciate this one as a quality film, a guilty pleasure, a film with a most desirable protagonist or something that is just very different compared to everything else in film these days, also everything else in horror film. Especially recommended on the big screen. Thumbs up.
Review of Raw
