Rabid (2019) - The Soska Sisters Continue to Impress

Rabid (2019) is a remake of the Cronenburg classic, in which a woman’s surgery after a devastating accident has some concerning side effects. It tackles the monsters that are the beauty world, and beauty ideals through a vampire/zombie angle. In short, it’s the perfect film for the Soska sisters to tackle.

The film keeps a fast and steady pace, showing us Rose (Laura Vandervoort)’s struggles with her life in short, snappy scenes, before the accident happens. And the scene displaying the extent of her injuries plays out with all the macabre of holding up a Gothic, Victorian mirror to show the “monster” Rose has become. Whilst the make-up job is brilliant, body horror like this always brings up the question of ableism. Is it really far to show the victim of an accident as though they are the ‘other?’ Perhaps that it why the focus from then on is the grim reality of living with one’s jaw wired shut. The sound effects are the most powerful part of portraying Rose’s new reality.

And from the surgery onward, the tongue is firmly in the cheek as Rose’s newfound stereotypical attractiveness changes her life. It’s a Princess Diaries-esque transformation – bye glasses and hello straight nose and suddenly she has the job she wants and men are falling over their feet for her. The focus on the ‘monster’ that is the fashion industry helps highlight just how ridiculous it all is.

Unfortunately, the surgery has one side effect – Rose is hungry, and its not long before raw steak just won’t cut it. After an accidental nip or two, Rose decides to make the most of the situation, and only eat men who, frankly, deserve it. In this way, its similar to American Mary, in which you’re on the side of the film’s supposed villain.

It all builds up to a violent, gory climax, showcasing killer costumes whilst its at it. Perhaps this is where the comparison to the fashion industry being an all-consuming, cannibalistic entity is hit a little too on the nose. But the anticipation is built up so well that its hard to be too angry. There is also a twist, that whilst predictable, has an element of interest to it – perhaps grounds for a prequel/sequel. (There’s even a line that just hits different after you’ve been on the internet a while, and I can’t figure out if it was deliberate.)

Overall, the main characters are developed enough that the audience don’t want them to die (at least), so there’s enough tension to keep the film strong, for the most part. There’s certainly a few scenes that feel as though their killing time to get to the finale, but in hindsight, do a great job of how a killer disease can pass from one person to another. (An unintended level of irony, but oddly relevant for a film that came out in 2019.)

To sum up, the Soska sisters do a great job in retelling a classic, and continue to portray kickass women who are still vulnerable – human, despite everything. Rabid delivers a solid scare that will leave you hungry for more.