When Gavin Rossdale sang, “There’s no sex in your violence,” he wasn’t talking about the films of David Cronenberg. From the S&M in Videodrome to the vaginal, cavernous wounds that characters suffer in his films, there are often sexual overtones to the violence in Cronenberg’s films. In Rabid, Marilyn Chambers’ body begins craving blood after an experimental plastic surgery procedure. The way she attacks her victims is rather sexual in nature with them relaxing in a post-orgasmic sort of bliss afterwards. Chambers strokes their hair soothingly. Her victims become zombies, causing an epidemic. Chambers is torn between her humanity and her desire to feed.
I’m still deciding whether this movie is feminist (a female penetrates men and has all the power) or misogynistic (a woman is responsible for all the trouble). Either way, it’s a worthwhile ride and and would make an interesting introduction to Cronenberg if you’ve never seen one of his films. Suspense builds as you worry for both Chambers and her boyfriend as they get closer to reuniting. The ending is devastating and really got to me. The final images are emotionally brutal.
Pairs well with: Under the Skin (2013)
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