Ravenous
Plot
Ravenous is a 1999 American horror film directed by David Kajganich and written by Ted Levine. The movie takes place in the late 19th century and follows Captain John Boyd (Guy Pearce), who is sent to investigate a series of mysterious disappearances at Fort Spencer, a remote Army outpost on the Western frontier. Upon arriving at the fort, Boyd discovers that his new post is plagued by cannibalism and bizarre occurrences. As he delves deeper into the mystery, he uncovers a dark secret surrounding the fort's commandant, Colonel Hart (Robert Carlyle), who is harboring a sinister and gruesome secret. Boyd soon finds himself trapped in a web of deceit and terror as he struggles to uncover the truth behind the disappearances. As the situation spirals out of control, Boyd must confront his own demons and face the horrors that lurk within the walls of Fort Spencer. Ravenous is a slow-burning horror film that builds tension through its eerie atmosphere and unsettling visuals. The movie's pace is deliberate and measured, allowing the audience to absorb the sense of unease and foreboding that pervades the narrative. The cast delivers solid performances, with Guy Pearce standing out as the stalwart Captain Boyd. Throughout the film, Kajganich uses the setting and characters to explore themes of madness, violence, and the blurring of lines between civilization and savagery. Ravenous is a critically acclaimed horror film that has gained a cult following over the years, and its unique blend of psychological terror and gruesome horror elements continues to captivate audiences today.
Reviews
Gracie
This is definitely one of the most unique zombie movies I've ever seen. And they are such ritualistic zombies, even inviting others to join their ranks! I'll give them a round of applause.
Natalia
A successor to "Pontypool," where the gathering of zombies destroys language barriers and constructs a new Tower of Babel, while the gathering of humans ultimately leads to destruction. The film exudes a nihilistic atmosphere, with ritualistic elements and humor blending seamlessly. This peculiar chemical reaction reaches its peak in the scene with the little policeman's death. Both the genre elements and the plot are pursued with a minimalist approach, avoiding extensive background explanations and rarely referencing the characters' pasts. The characters' actions exist only in the "present continuous tense," and everything ultimately returns to mystery. Some scenes are handled in a style reminiscent of Bresson. This approach, seemingly anti-genre, is actually a faithful return to the spirit of classic zombie films.
Asher
A bizarre blend of rural drama and zombie horror, "Ravenous" suffers from its limited scope. The first half is dull and drawn-out, offering little of interest. The bumbling police officer adds a touch of comedic relief, but the zombies themselves are strangely depicted. They seem to possess a primitive intelligence, with a penchant for stacking furniture, leaving the director's intentions unclear.
Rosemary
Ravenous innovatively blends into the zombie genre. With a decent soundtrack and a passable story, it stands as a literary thriller zombie film. The escape in the mist bears a resemblance to "The Mist." The increasingly high pile of chairs at the end – is it meant to show that zombies are intelligent, or is it just pretentious? I didn't get it... The character development isn't particularly prominent either; poor Sabi the cop.
