Rabid Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A woman gets a weird armpit penis and accidentally turns Montreal into a zombie rave.

🍿 Rabid: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Motorcycle Accident and Experimental Surgery

Hart Read and his girlfriend Rose are involved in a motorcycle accident. Rose sustains severe injuries, leading to experimental plastic surgery at the Keloid Clinic. Dr. Dan Keloid uses morphogenetically neutral grafts to repair her damaged tissues, but this radical procedure has unforeseen consequences.

The Mutation and Thirst for Blood

After a month in a coma, Rose awakens with a strange mutation: a phallic stinger emerging from her armpit. She develops an insatiable thirst for human blood, which she satisfies by preying on unsuspecting victims. These victims, in turn, become rabid and violent, spreading a deadly disease.

The Spreading Epidemic and Martial Law

As the number of infected people grows, Montreal descends into chaos. Authorities declare martial law and implement a “shoot-to-kill” policy to contain the epidemic. Hart searches for Rose, unaware that she is the carrier of the deadly virus. The city streets become increasingly dangerous as the infection spreads rapidly.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Rose (Marilyn Chambers): A young woman who develops a thirst for human blood and spreads a deadly virus after undergoing experimental plastic surgery.
• Hart Read (Frank Moore): Rose’s boyfriend who searches for her as she spreads the infection, trying to understand and help her.
• Dr. Dan Keloid (Howard Ryshpan): The doctor who performs the experimental surgery on Rose, inadvertently causing her mutation and triggering the epidemic.
• Mindy Kent (Susan Roman): Rose’s friend who offers her shelter in Montreal and becomes one of her victims.
• Murray Cypher (Joe Silver): A colleague of Hart, who accompanies him on the search for Rose and witnesses the unfolding chaos.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Murray Cypher: “See how Potato Man loves Ketchup Man?” – Said while watching a cartoon with a baby, highlighting the film’s dark humor amidst horror.

💰Box Office

• Budget: CA$530,000
• Domestic Gross: Unknown
• Worldwide Gross: Unknown

💥 Rabid Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I watched this because I heard it was super Cronenberg-y, and it *definitely* is. Marilyn Chambers’ performance is surprisingly good, and the whole vibe of 70s paranoia really comes through. The armpit… thing… is truly disturbing and adds a layer of body horror that only Cronenberg can pull off. I wouldn’t say it’s his best, but it’s a solid, creepy watch.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of David Cronenberg”
  • “Fans of body horror”
  • “Viewers who enjoy early zombie/infection movies”
  • “Those interested in 1970s horror films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Gore”
  • “Female nudity”
  • “Disturbing imagery”

Professional Reviews

• Love Horror: “Cronenberg explores fears of sexual woman, government, and those around us, feeding off hysteria as Marilyn Chambers feeds off her victims. Underarm worm is clearly a female penis. Challenges Western values and boundaries by using hidden evils, distortions and deformed humanity.
• N/A: “Cronenberg creates a story so unique and yet so accessible. The situation and events presented in `Rabid’ seem straight out of a science fiction novel or comic book and yet they tap into some of our deepest and most contemporary fears.
• N/A: “Cronenberg can make even the most absurd stuff seem real and scary. This was his real second feature after Shivers, and he delivers the goods with some artful direction, more than ample suspense, and a pervasive mood of uneasiness in a city being besieged by a viral plague.

Audience Reactions

The special effects and gore are surprisingly effective for a low-budget film.: Viewers appreciated the film’s practical effects and its disturbing depiction of body horror.

Marilyn Chambers’ performance as Rose is surprisingly good.: Despite her background in adult films, many felt she delivered a believable and sympathetic performance.

Overall Consensus: Rabid is a cult classic for fans of Cronenberg’s early work. Some call it dull, but the body horror and zombie vibe is appealing.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Sissy Spacek was David Cronenberg’s first choice for the role of Rose, but producer Ivan Reitman wanted Marilyn Chambers for her sex appeal.”
• “Much of the film’s score was sourced from a music library due to the low budget. This music has appeared in numerous documentaries since the 1970s.”
• “The film was partially funded by the Canadian government, allowing Cronenberg to explore his themes within the horror genre.”

🖥️ How to Watch Rabid?

As a classic horror film, ‘Rabid’ is available through various platforms. You can often find it for rent or purchase on digital stores like Prime Video and Apple TV. Check your local library or online retailers for physical media options like DVDs or Blu-rays. Availability may vary depending on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Rabid, you might like these similar films:

• Shivers (1975): Shares Cronenberg’s early exploration of body horror, disease outbreak, and sexual undertones.
• The Crazies (1973): Features a similar storyline of a rapidly spreading virus turning people into homicidal maniacs and the government’s response.
• 28 Days Later (2002): Presents a modern take on a city-wide epidemic turning people into rage-filled infected, with a similar sense of societal breakdown.
• Species (1995): Exploits the premise of a female who uses her body to lure her victims and spread her seed, although the premise in Rabid is to feed on blood.

🛒 Rabid Related Products

• Rabid (1977) [Blu-ray]: Own David Cronenberg’s body horror cult classic on Blu-ray. Relive the nightmare in high definition with restored visuals and audio. A must-have for any horror collector.
• David Cronenberg: Interviews (Conversations with Filmmakers Series): Dive deeper into the mind of David Cronenberg with this collection of interviews. Gain insights into his filmmaking process, his thematic obsessions, and his unique vision of body horror.
• Rabid (2019) [Blu-ray]: Own the remake of David Cronenberg’s body horror cult classic on Blu-ray. Watch what happens when a young woman goes under the knife in an experimental plastic surgery and becomes a host for something sinister.
• Limited Edition Rabid Movie Poster: Decorate your walls with this high-quality limited edition Rabid movie poster. Featuring the iconic original artwork. An amazing gift for horror fans.

🎧 Soundtrack

Rabid features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Summer’s Coming” – performed by Keith Mansfield

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Brutality Of RABID

Curious about Rabid? This review dives deep into the movie’s controversial elements and overall impact. Honestly, it made me see the film in a whole new light!

✨ Rate