The story of Raw: vegetarianism, hazing, and appetite
Raw follows Justine, a stringent vegetarian entering her first year at veterinary school, a place where she's expected to fit in with her peers—or else. During a brutal hazing ritual, she's pressured to eat raw meat for the first time in her life, breaking a lifelong dietary principle. What begins as a single transgression spirals into something far more disturbing: Justine develops an insatiable appetite for human flesh. Director Julia Ducournau uses this premise not as a simple shock device but as a metaphor for adolescent awakening, the violence of conformity, and the hunger that lurks beneath the surface of even the most disciplined young women. The 98-minute runtime allows the film to build dread methodically, watching as Justine's body betrays her will and her hunger threatens to consume everything she's worked for.
Behind the making of Raw: Julia Ducournau's audacious feature debut
Raw marks Julia Ducournau's feature directorial debut, and it arrived fully formed—a statement of intent that announced a major new voice in genre cinema. The Belgian-French-American co-production premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2016 before its 2017 theatrical release, generating significant critical conversation and audience walkouts in equal measure. Ducournau's script and direction caught the attention of festival programmers and critics alike; the film went on to earn an IMDb rating of 6.9/10, reflecting its divisive nature—some viewers found it brilliant, others couldn't stomach it (literally and figuratively). The cast, led by French-Swiss actress Garance Marillier in her breakout role alongside Ella Rumpf and Rabah Nait Oufella, brought authenticity to characters navigating the messy, embodied chaos of becoming an adult. The film's willingness to explore taboo subject matter without apology set the tone for Ducournau's later work and established her as a filmmaker unafraid to make audiences deeply uncomfortable—which, she'd argue, is sometimes exactly what cinema needs to do.
What makes Raw stand out: performance, metaphor, and unflinching craft
What's striking about Raw is how seriously it takes its premise. This isn't a campy B-movie or a shock-for-shock's-sake exercise; Ducournau treats the horror as genuinely horrifying—to Justine herself most of all. Garance Marillier's performance carries the entire film, and she commits to every moment of physical and psychological degradation with a vulnerability that makes the grotesque scenes feel earned rather than exploitative. She's not playing a monster; she's playing a young woman watching herself become one, which is far more unsettling. The cinematography and sound design work in concert to make the viewer feel Justine's bodily sensations—the texture of meat between teeth, the way hunger manifests as something outside her control, the creeping horror of recognizing yourself in the mirror and not quite knowing who's looking back. What nobody mentions often enough is that Raw is also genuinely funny in moments—dark, uncomfortable humor that breaks tension and makes the film feel lived-in rather than purely clinical. The supporting cast (Laurent Lucas, Joana Preiss, Bouli Lanners) grounds the veterinary school setting with enough specificity that you believe in this world and its particular pressures. Critics recognized the film's ambition; Movie OTT tracks how Raw continues to find new audiences across streaming platforms, a sign that its themes about bodily autonomy, appetite, and the violence of fitting in haven't aged or softened.
Where to stream Raw online
Raw is widely available across multiple streaming services and digital platforms. You can watch it on AMC+, Disney+, Max, Paramount+, and several others—the Where to Watch widget at the top of this page shows every current platform. If you prefer to own the film, it's available for purchase on Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, Prime Video, and YouTube. Availability varies by region and subscription tier, so Movie OTT's widget will show you exactly what's available where you are right now. Whether you're a subscriber to premium channels or prefer à la carte rentals, there's no shortage of ways to access Ducournau's provocative debut.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is Raw based on a true story?
No, Raw is an original screenplay written by director Julia Ducournau. While cannibalism appears throughout literature, film, and history, this particular story is a fictional exploration of adolescence and appetite using horror as its vehicle.
Q: Who directed Raw and what else has she made?
Julia Ducournau directed Raw as her feature debut in 2016. She's since gone on to make Titane (2021), which won the Palme d'Or at Cannes, cementing her status as one of contemporary cinema's most daring auteurs working in body horror.
Q: What's the rating on Raw, and is it appropriate for younger viewers?
Raw carries an IMDb rating of 6.9/10 and contains graphic violence, sexual content, and disturbing imagery. It's absolutely not a film for younger viewers; the content is explicitly adult and designed to provoke discomfort.
Q: How long is Raw?
The film runs 98 minutes, a tight runtime that Ducournau uses to build psychological and physical dread without overstaying its welcome.
Q: Where can I watch Raw if I'm outside the US?
Raw is available on numerous international platforms including Molotov TV, SFR Play, U-NEXT, ARTE Boutique, Canal VOD, and regional services across Europe and beyond. Check the streaming widget for your specific location.
Final thoughts on Raw
Raw isn't a film for everyone—that much should be clear by now. But for viewers willing to sit with discomfort and follow Justine down into her own hunger, it's a startling, original piece of cinema that uses the language of horror to say something true about growing up, about bodies that won't obey, about the violence of conformity. Ducournau's debut announced a filmmaker with something urgent to say. If you've got the stomach for it, Raw demands to be seen.
