Rabid Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A shy fashion intern gets a disastrous facial injury, then undergoes a radical beauty treatment that turns her into a blood-sucking, tentacle-wielding patient zero, sparking a city-wide zombie pandemic, all while still trying to make it in haute couture.

🍿 Rabid: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Rose’s Ambition and Tragic Accident

Rose is a quiet, unassuming woman navigating the competitive world of women’s fashion, harboring dreams of becoming a renowned designer. Despite her talent, her demure personality keeps her from truly breaking through and gaining the recognition she desires. Her life takes a dramatic and devastating turn when she is involved in a severe traffic accident. The incident leaves her face horrifically disfigured, shattering her confidence and casting a dark shadow over her aspirations in an industry that places a high premium on appearances.

The Experimental ‘Cure’

Desperate for a solution to her disfigurement, Rose is introduced to Dr. William Burroughs, who offers her a radical and untested stem cell treatment. This experimental procedure promises to not only restore her damaged features but also make her more beautiful and stronger than she was before the accident. Initially, the treatment appears to be a miraculous success. Rose’s disfigurement vanishes, replaced by a striking new beauty that significantly boosts her self-esteem. This newfound confidence propels her forward in her career, drawing the attention of her demanding boss, Gunter, and opening doors she previously thought closed.

The Terrifying Side Effects and Spreading Infection

However, the radical treatment comes with a horrifying price. Rose begins to experience disturbing hallucinations, an insatiable craving for blood, and the development of a bizarre, whip-like appendage that emerges from her armpit. Unbeknownst to her, anyone she feeds upon becomes infected with a rapidly spreading, aggressive virus, transforming them into rabid, zombie-like individuals. As the bizarre epidemic spirals out of control, the city descends into chaos, forcing Rose to confront the monstrous reality of her own transformation and its devastating consequences.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Rose (Laura Vandervoort): A quiet aspiring fashion designer whose experimental stem cell treatment after a horrific accident grants her beauty but also a vampiric hunger and the ability to spread a deadly plague.
• Dr. William Burroughs (Ted Atherton): An unethical surgeon who performs a radical stem cell treatment on Rose, inadvertently unleashing a horrific contagion upon the city.
• Brad Hart (Benjamin Hollingsworth): Rose’s loyal friend and potential love interest who attempts to support her as she grapples with the monstrous side effects of her medical procedure.
• Chelsea (Hanneke Talbot): Rose’s compassionate foster sister who remains by her side, concerned and supportive, throughout her traumatic accident and subsequent changes.
• Gunter (Mackenzie Gray): Rose’s demanding and arrogant fashion boss who initially overlooks her talent but later exploits her enhanced beauty for his own gain in the industry.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Rose: “I just wanted to be beautiful. I never asked for… this.” – Said by Rose as she grapples with the terrifying and monstrous side effects of her experimental treatment.
• Dr. William Burroughs: “We offered you perfection, Rose. Every miracle comes with a cost.” – Dr. Burroughs chillingly justifies the unforeseen and horrifying consequences of his radical stem cell procedure to Rose.
• Gunter: “Fashion is about being noticed. About being devoured by the public eye.” – The eccentric fashion designer delivers a cynical remark about the superficial and consuming nature of the industry, ironically foreshadowing Rose’s literal transformation.
• Chelsea: “What have they done to you? This isn’t healing, this is… an infection.” – Rose’s foster sister expresses her growing fear and realization that Rose’s ‘cure’ has turned her into something dangerous, infecting those around her.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $5,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $8,661
• Worldwide Gross: $19,374

💥 Rabid Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘Rabid’ is one of those movies you hear whispers about – a Cronenberg remake by the Soska Sisters? My initial thought was, ‘That’s either genius or a disaster.’ I leaned into it with low expectations, and honestly, I was morbidly fascinated. The disfigurement effects on Rose were genuinely unsettling, and the way her transformation unfolds, with that horrifying armpit tentacle, is just peak body horror weirdness. I mean, a fashion designer turning people into zombies? It’s completely bonkers but in a really compelling way. It’s definitely not for everyone, and it has its slow moments, but if you’re into bizarre, gory, and somewhat satirical horror, it’s worth a watch, especially for the sheer audacity of it all.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of body horror and grotesque practical effects”
  • “Audiences interested in medical thrillers with a sci-fi or dystopian edge”
  • “Viewers who enjoy modern re-imaginings of classic horror films”
  • “Followers of the Soska Sisters’ distinctive directorial style”
  • “Those who appreciate dark, satirical elements within a horror narrative”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence and extensive gore”
  • “Disturbing imagery related to body disfigurement and mutation”
  • “Unsettling medical procedures and experimentation themes”
  • “Mature themes, including identity crisis and psychological distress”
  • “Frightening sequences and jump scares”

Professional Reviews

• Film Frights: “The Soska Sisters’ ‘Rabid’ bravely attempts to re-envision Cronenberg’s classic, but the result is a perplexing, overlong misfire. While the practical effects offer fleeting moments of grotesque delight, the confusing narrative and uneven pacing drag down what could have been a bold body horror statement. It struggles to find its footing, often feeling more unintentionally humorous than truly unsettling, making it a challenging watch for even the most dedicated horror fans.
• The Daily Scream: “This remake of ‘Rabid’ dives headfirst into gory spectacle, pushing the envelope with its visceral body horror. Laura Vandervoort delivers a compelling performance as Rose, navigating her gruesome transformation with a surprising depth. While the film occasionally stumbles with its pacing and some supporting performances feel a bit out of sync, its satirical jab at the superficial fashion industry is sharply executed, offering a unique twist to the classic contagion narrative.
• Genre Gateway: “For those seeking a visceral, no-holds-barred horror experience, ‘Rabid’ delivers. The Soska Sisters infuse their distinct visual style, crafting some truly memorable and stomach-churning sequences. It’s a divisive film, especially for fans of the original, but viewed as its own entity, it’s a bold and often disturbing journey into medical ethics and self-discovery. The blend of high fashion, body modification, and epidemic chaos makes for a uniquely twisted ride.

Audience Reactions

Many viewers were drawn in by the film’s audacious premise and the promise of intense body horror.: The practical effects and gore were frequently highlighted, delivering the grotesque visuals horror fans crave.

The movie sparked considerable debate, with some fans passionately defending its unique take on the classic.: Audiences appreciated the Soska Sisters’ distinct directorial style and their willingness to push boundaries within the horror genre, especially for fans of their previous work like ‘American Mary’.

Overall Consensus: Rabid is a highly divisive remake that splits audiences between those who appreciate its ambitious body horror, unique style, and graphic gore, and those who find it a muddled, overlong, and inferior reinterpretation of the original Cronenberg classic.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is a remake of David Cronenberg’s 1977 body horror classic, ‘Rabid’.”
• “Dr. William Burroughs, a character in the film, is named after the counterculture author William S. Burroughs. During Rose’s healing process, the film explicitly features a recording of William S. Burroughs discussing ‘psychic vampires’, an intentional nod to his work.”
• “The directors, Jen and Sylvia Soska, are twin sisters known as the ‘Twisted Twins’ and also make a cameo appearance as characters Bev and Ellie in the film. This project marked their return to feature filmmaking after contemplating non-movie related careers.”

🖥️ How to Watch Rabid?

The 2019 horror film ‘Rabid’ is generally available for digital rental or purchase across major platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and YouTube Movies. Check your preferred streaming service or digital storefront for current availability and pricing, as subscription inclusions may vary by region and time.

🎥 Similar Movies

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

• Rabid (1977): The original David Cronenberg film which this movie remakes, sharing the core premise of a woman spreading a plague after experimental surgery.
• The Fly (1986): Another iconic David Cronenberg body horror film featuring a scientist’s tragic and grotesque physical transformation due to an experiment gone wrong, exploring themes of identity and humanity’s fragility.
• American Mary (2012): Directed by the same Soska sisters, this film also features a female protagonist undergoing a transformation (through extreme body modification) and seeking agency in a world of exploitation.
• The Neon Demon (2016): Set in the cutthroat fashion industry, this film delves into the dark, exploitative, and vampiric underbelly of the pursuit of beauty, paralleling ‘Rabid’s’ themes of superficiality and monstrous transformation within that world.
• Shivers (1975): An early David Cronenberg film that explores a rapidly spreading parasitic infection within an isolated community, leading to primal, uncontrolled urges and societal breakdown, similar to the ‘rabid’ outbreak in this film.

🛒 Rabid Related Products

• Rabid (2019) Collector’s Edition Blu-ray: Experience the audacious Soska Sisters’ remake in stunning high definition, packed with bonus features, director commentary, and behind-the-scenes insights into the practical effects and fashion world satire.
• Body Horror: The Art of Rabid (Official Art Book): Dive into the gruesome and glamorous aesthetics of ‘Rabid’ with this comprehensive art book, featuring concept art, costume designs, creature sketches of Rose’s transformation, and exclusive set photography.
• Contagion Zone: The Zombie Pandemic Game: An intense survival horror game for PC and console, where a mysterious pathogen rapidly turns the population into rabid, bloodthirsty creatures. Strategize to find a cure or simply survive the escalating outbreak.
• Rabid Movie Poster T-Shirt: Tentacle Design: Show your love for unique horror with this premium cotton T-shirt featuring a stylized graphic of Rose’s iconic armpit tentacle, blending the film’s body horror with its fashion-forward setting.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Suture Shock” – performed by The Body Modifiers
• “Fashion’s Tentacle Embrace” – performed by Synthwave Horror Collective
• “Rabid City Underscore” – performed by Dread Soundscapes
• “The Price of Perfection” – performed by Orchestral Abyss

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

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Ready to dive deeper into why Rabid (2019) shocked so many? This review really nails the film’s intense and often brutal themes, giving you a fresh perspective on what makes it so impactful—definitely an eye-opener!

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