Sink Your Teeth into the Gory Horror of the 2019 Remake ‘Rabid’, a Body Horror Film

205 Welcome to the horror/sci-fi “Rabid” 2019 movie page.

Rabid’s Box Office Stats

According to Box Office Mojo, the 2019 horror movie “Rabid” had a limited theatrical release in the United States on December 13, 2019, but no box office revenue data is available on the website. The Numbers reports that the movie had a gross worldwide box office revenue of $278,450.

Haven’t Seen the Movie? Take a Look at the Rabid Official Trailer

Here’s one of the trailers for Rabid, the movie. Then you can watch the full length Rabid movie on Amazon or Blu Ray. >>> Grab your Blu Ray copy here!

Rabid Quick Plot Summary TL;DR

For those of you who don’t want to read a long ass page, here you go: In 2019 Rabid, Rose is a plain-looking fashion designer who dreams of being the next Coco Chanel. But after a freak accident, her face is horribly disfigured. Desperate for a solution, Rose undergoes a stem cell treatment that leaves her looking like a supermodel. However, there’s a catch: she now craves human flesh. Ew. So, Rose goes on a rampage, biting and infecting anyone she can sink her teeth into. Will she find a cure for her hunger or succumb to her carnivorous cravings?

Spoiler Alert! Don’t Read This. It’s Got A Plot Twist!

The plot twist in the 2019 horror movie Rabid revolves around the fact that the experimental stem cell treatment received by the protagonist, Rose, not only makes her more attractive but also transforms her into a bloodthirsty monster. As the film progresses, it becomes clear that Rose is spreading a deadly virus that turns people into violent creatures, similar to herself. The twist is revealed when it is discovered that the virus is not airborne but spread through bodily fluids, and Rose is unknowingly spreading it through her saliva. This realization leads to a race against time to find a cure for the virus before it spreads too far and wipes out humanity.

Plot Summary

In the 2019 horror movie Rabid, directed by Jen and Sylvia Soska, the main character is a shy and introverted young woman named Rose (played by Laura Vandervoort), who works in the fashion industry with hopes of becoming a designer. After a horrific traffic accident leaves her with severe facial injuries, Rose seeks out an experimental stem cell treatment that promises to not only restore her appearance but also make her stronger and more beautiful than ever before. The treatment appears to be a success, and Rose returns to her life with newfound confidence and attention from those around her. However, as time goes on, she begins to experience disturbing and violent side effects that result in a horrific transformation. Rose’s body begins to produce a grotesque, phallic-shaped stinger that she uses to attack and infect others, turning them into rabid and violent creatures like herself. As the infection spreads and panic grips the city, Rose struggles to come to terms with her new identity and the terrible consequences of her actions. Along the way, she encounters a number of other characters, including her boyfriend Brad (Benjamin Hollingsworth), her boss Gunter (Mackenzie Gray), and her best friend Chelsea (Hanneke Talbot), who become entangled in her growing madness. The film explores themes of body horror, identity, and transformation, and features gruesome and graphic violence throughout. Despite some interesting ideas and strong performances, Rabid has been criticized for its uneven pacing and underdeveloped characters, particularly Rose’s relationship with Beverly (played by CM Punk), which robs a climactic moment of its full impact. The film is a remake of the 1977 David Cronenberg film of the same name.

Rabid: The Good

• Homage to David Cronenberg: The movie pays homage to the 1977 film directed by David Cronenberg, and effectively captures the spirit of the original while also adding new elements to the story.
• Unique Body Horror: The practical effects and makeup in the movie are jaw-droppingly brilliant, allowing the Soska sisters to put their own unique thumbprint on the body horror genre.
• Strong Performance by Laura Vandervoort: Laura Vandervoort’s performance as the lead character Rose is praised for its nuance and depth, allowing viewers to empathize with the character despite the horrific events she experiences.
• Engaging Storyline: The movie’s storyline is engaging and keeps viewers on the edge of their seats throughout the film, with enough twists and turns to keep things interesting.
• Unique Take on the Zombie Genre: The movie offers a unique take on the zombie genre, with a virus that turns people into bloodthirsty creatures but also grants them enhanced abilities. This adds a new layer of complexity to the story and creates a fresh spin on the typical zombie movie.
• Strong Direction: The Soska sisters’ direction is praised for its visual style, pacing, and effective use of practical effects. The movie is a testament to their skill as filmmakers and their ability to bring their own unique vision to the horror genre.

Not Scary. More Like Comical

Rabid: The Bad

• Poor pacing: Some critics have argued that the movie is too slow and plodding, and that it could benefit from tighter editing.
• Uninspired script: Several reviewers have criticized the movie’s screenplay for being derivative and unoriginal, offering nothing new to the genre of horror movies.
• Weak performances: Some critics have argued that the acting in the movie is subpar, with many of the performers failing to deliver convincing or compelling performances.
• Mediocre special effects: Despite being a horror movie, some critics have argued that the practical effects and makeup in “Rabid” are not particularly impressive, failing to deliver the kind of visceral thrills that audiences expect from the genre.
• Too similar to original: While some reviewers have praised the movie for its ability to pay homage to David Cronenberg’s original “Rabid,” others have argued that it is too similar and fails to bring anything new to the table.

Parents, Should Your Kids Watch Rabid?

Reasons why it might be safe:

Rabid is not safe for young kids to watch for the following reasons below.

Reasons why it might not be safe:

As a horror film rated R for strong bloody violence, grisly images, language, and some sexual content, “Rabid” may not be suitable for children. Here are some reasons why parents may want to exercise caution before letting their kids watch the 2019 “Rabid” movie:

1. Graphic Violence: “Rabid” contains scenes of extreme violence, including mutilation, disfigurement, and bloody gore. Some of these scenes are very graphic and may be disturbing for children.
2. Sexual Content: The movie features sexual content and nudity, which may not be appropriate for younger audiences.
3. Disturbing Themes: “Rabid” explores themes of body horror, disease, and infection, which can be intense and unsettling for younger viewers.
4. Language: The movie includes strong language and profanity, which may not be suitable for children.
5. Mature Themes: The movie deals with mature themes such as vanity, obsession, and the pursuit of perfection, which may not be appropriate for younger viewers.

Overall, parents should carefully consider the mature content of “Rabid” before deciding whether it is appropriate for their children to watch.

Positive Reviews

• “Rabid manages to beautifully pay homage to Cronenberg and jaw-droppingly brilliant makeup and practical effects allow The Soska Sisters to also put their own unique body horror thumbprint on the…”
• “There is no arguing that Rabid is an acquired taste, but if you’re a fan of the type of genre films that it wears proudly on its sleeve, it’s a rewarding and gruesome trip to hell and back.”
• “The Soska Sisters’ take on Rabid is a stylish and macabre descent into madness, a film that speaks to our present moment while paying tribute to the horror genre’s past.”
• “Rabid is a well-crafted horror remake that honors the original film’s twisted tale of disease and body horror while giving it a modern, feminist spin.”
• “Jen and Sylvia Soska breathe new life into the Canadian classic while paying homage to Cronenberg’s original vision with their own grotesque and imaginative body horror that is both timeless and contemporary.”

Negative Reviews

• IMDB: “Ploddingly paced (it runs nearly 20 minutes longer than the 1977 film, to detrimental effect), poorly scripted and featuring largely amateurish performances and cheesy special effects, this Rabid strives to emulate the striking body horror of the original but mainly comes across like a half-baked imitation.”
• Variety: “But overlong, undercooked Rabid cant settle on a unified tone for its actors, let alone its narrative. Even its misanthropy ultimately feels indecisive and trifling. Humans gone feral should…”
• Meta Critic: “Ploddingly paced (it runs nearly 20 minutes longer than the 1977 film, to detrimental effect), poorly scripted and featuring largely amateurish performances and cheesy special effects, this Rabid strives to emulate the striking body horror of the original but mainly comes across like a half-baked imitation.”

Rotten Tomatoes gave the movie a 45% approval rating based on 71 reviews, with an average rating of 5.00/10. The audience score, based on user ratings, is slightly higher at 50%. The critical consensus on the site states that “Rabid offers David Cronenberg fans a gory treat with enough subversive elements to overcome a questionable script and violent misogyny.”

Rabid Movie Trivia

1. “Rabid” is a Canadian body horror film directed and co-written by Jen and Sylvia Soska, and it is a remake of the 1977 film of the same name directed by David Cronenberg.
2. The film premiered at the London FrightFest Film Festival on August 26, 2019.
3. The film was shot in Ontario, Canada, and the production team used practical effects instead of relying on CGI.
4. The lead actress, Laura Vandervoort, had to wear a prosthetic after her character’s face is damaged in an accident.
5. Laura Vandervoort underwent four hours of prosthetic makeup every day to achieve her character’s transformation after undergoing an experimental stem cell treatment.
6. The character played by WWE wrestler Phil Brooks is credited as “William ‘Billy’ Barker” in the film’s credits, but he is never called by that name in the movie.
7. The filmmakers paid homage to the original “Rabid” film by having the character played by Stephen McHattie wear a T-shirt with a picture of David Cronenberg on it.
8. The film’s opening sequence features a cameo by director and co-writer Jen Soska as a woman named Junkie.
9. The original score for the film was composed by Claude Foisy, who also composed the score for the Soska sisters’ previous film “American Mary.”

Rabid Quotes

1. “You’re not the same person you were before the accident.” – Dr. William Burroughs
2. “I know I’m different now.” – Rose
3. “It’s like I can see things more clearly, like the world’s sharper.” – Rose
4. “You can’t change what’s already happened. You can only move forward.” – Chelsea
5. “Sometimes we have to sacrifice a little for the greater good.” – Dr. William Burroughs
6. “I didn’t ask for this, but now that it’s happened, I have to accept it.” – Rose
7. “We’re not monsters, we’re survivors.” – Rose
8. “You can’t control everything, sometimes you just have to let go.” – Brad

Final Thoughts on Rabid

“Rabid” (2019) is a compelling horror movie that pays homage to David Cronenberg’s 1977 original while carving out its own identity. The Soska sisters’ direction is visually striking, and they deftly balance the film’s body horror elements with an engaging story that explores themes of beauty, identity, and obsession. Laura Vandervoort delivers a powerful performance as Rose, and the supporting cast is strong as well. While the film is not without its flaws, it is a worthy addition to the horror genre that will appeal to fans of both classic and contemporary horror. Overall, “Rabid” is a chilling and thought-provoking film that horror enthusiasts should definitely check out at least once. But if you’re looking for a horror movie to scare you, this isn’t it.