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Sci-fi horror film

Rabid (2019): Cast, Ratings, Plot & Where to Watch

Rabid (2019) movie poster

Rabid is a 2019 sci-fi horror film directed by Jen Soska and Sylvia Soska, starring Laura Vandervoort as Rose, Ted Atherton and Mackenzie Gray. It runs 1 hour 47 minutes and was made on a reported $5 million budget. Critics gave it 55% on Rotten Tomatoes and 43 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.2/10. Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and Cineverse, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
5.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
55%
Echo Score
50
Metascore
43
Rabid (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 47m (107 min)
Directors
Jen Soska and Sylvia Soska
Genres
Sci-Fi , Horror
Original language
Tagalog
Budget
$5M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Rabid About?

The premise of Rabid without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Rose leads a quiet life until a traumatic accident leaves her physically disfigured. Desperate for a solution, she undergoes experimental stem cell treatment, which dramatically alters her appearance. The procedure transforms her from an ordinary woman into a captivating figure in the fashion world. However, Rose soon discovers that achieving such a dramatic transformation comes at a terrible and unforeseen price, forcing her to confront the dark side of her newfound perfection.

Rabid Themes & Keywords

· 47 tags
  • remake
  • bloodlust
  • transhumanism
  • medical experiment
  • mad scientist
  • crash survivor
  • blonde woman
  • fashion designer
  • fashion photographer
  • rabies
  • amnesia
  • immortality
+35 more
  • skin graft
  • stem cell
  • tentacle
  • pandemic
  • david cronenberg
  • vampiric
  • vampire
  • one word title
  • body horror
  • biopunk
  • runway fashion show
  • vegetarian women
  • snorting cocaine
  • bare chested male
  • soap opera star
  • television show within a film
  • chaotic film set
  • kiss becomes bite
  • blood soaked
  • pool of blood
  • one breast exposed
  • male rear nudity
  • horrific hallucination
  • virus
  • monster
  • cutting one's own throat
  • attempted suicide
  • open faced helmet injury
  • motorcycle injury
  • real twins playing twins
  • fashion industry
  • stem cell treatment
  • psychotronic film
  • zombie
  • title directed by female
Where to watch

Where to Watch Rabid

Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and Cineverse, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Rabid Cast & Characters

Laura Vandervoort leads the cast as Rose, with Ted Atherton as Dr. William Burroughs and Mackenzie Gray as Gunter. Directed by Jen Soska and Sylvia Soska; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Rabid

· 6 more
Ratings

Rabid Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Rabid 55% on Rotten Tomatoes and 43 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 50/100, strongest in sensory experience (60) and weakest in story & flow (40).

50 /100

Rabid Echo Score Breakdown

Rabid delivers an uneven horror remake that mixes promising ambition with inconsistent execution. Critics often note the film’s engaging premise and moments of effective body horror, while also pointing to its overlong runtime, sporadic pacing, and underdeveloped narrative threads. Multiple performers, particularly the lead, earn recognition for elevating the material despite a script that struggles to sustain momentum. In net effect, the film’s strengths in atmosphere and practical effects are weighed down by its uneven storytelling and tonal indecision.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 45

    In terms of art and craft, Rabid presents a mixed execution of its visual and technical elements. The practical makeup and gore effects are frequently noted for their detailed design, yet the editing and pacing often feel cumbersome and uneven. Direction occasionally provides energizing genre moments, but inconsistent construction and sporadic cinematography detract from its overall technical cohesion.

  • Character & Emotion 55

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances in Rabid are a notable highlight despite mixed depth. The lead portrayal is often praised for bringing nuance to Rose’s transformation, and supporting roles deliver solid moments of tension. However, some critics point to a lack of deeper emotional resonance and occasionally shallow character development overall.

  • Story & Flow 40

    In terms of story and flow, Rabid struggles with uneven pacing and underdeveloped narrative arcs. Early ideas generate intrigue, but the plot’s expansion falters in the third act, leading to an indecisive tone. Critics note promising premises that never fully mature, resulting in a narrative that lacks cohesion and fails to sustain engagement throughout.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    When it comes to sensory experience, Rabid offers striking gore and practical effects that establish a potent body-horror atmosphere. The sound design and score enhance tense moments, though occasional cheese in special effects undermines immersion. Visual style alternates between subtle undertones and overt gore, creating a mixed but occasionally compelling sensory presentation.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    In terms of rewatch factor, Rabid presents limited replay value due to its inconsistent narrative and tonal shifts. While practical effects and standout lead performances may appeal on repeat viewings for genre enthusiasts, most audiences may find the uneven pacing and unresolved storylines reduce the desire to revisit the film outside of dedicated horror-viewer circles.

Plot

Rabid Plot Summary

What happens in Rabid from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 11 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Rose, Laura Vandervoort a young fashion designer, suffers a disfiguring accident and undergoes an experimental stem cell skin and tissue graft performed by Ted Atherton as Dr. William Burroughs. The procedure triggers an unforeseen reaction: a parasite forms under her skin and a rabies-like syndrome causes victims to transform within minutes to hours after contact. As chaos unfolds, Rose ends up attacking several people, and the outbreak begins to ripple through the city.

Meanwhile, Gunter, Mackenzie Gray, the fashion designer, decides that Chelsea, Rose’s best friend and a fashion model, will launch Rose’s first exhibition, giving the project a sharp, public spotlight. Brad, Ben Hollingsworth, a fashion photographer who formerly dated Rose, reenters her life, drawn back into the orbit of the designer’s perilous transformation.

Full summary

The whole story of Rabid, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Rabid Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Rabid.

Rabid (2019) - Official Trailer (HD)
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Rabid?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is Rose's profession in the film?

Cars

Cars in Rabid

11 cars on screen, including the Chevrolet unknown and the 1967 Ford Mustang.

All 11 cars
  • Chevrolet unknown in Rabid Chevrolet unknown Minor role
  • 1967 Ford Mustang in Rabid 1967 Ford Mustang Minor role
  • Kymco Bet & Win in Rabid Kymco Bet & Win Minor role
  • 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air in Rabid 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air Background role
Details

Rabid Also Known As

12 alternative titles, including “래비드” and “Besnilo”.

Also known as
  • 래비드
  • Besnilo
  • Скажена
  • Бешеная
  • Fúria
  • 라비드
  • 狂犬病
  • 屍控療法
  • Wściekłość
  • Pasiutusi
  • Furia
  • Veszett

Seen Rabid?

FAQ

Rabid FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, budget, ratings and post-credit scenes of Rabid, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Rabid?

Rabid runs 1 hour 47 minutes (107 minutes).

When was Rabid released?

Rabid was released on December 13, 2019.

Who directed Rabid?

Rabid was directed by Jen Soska and Sylvia Soska.

More films by Jen Soska

Who is in the cast of Rabid?

Rabid stars Laura Vandervoort as Rose, Ted Atherton as Dr. William Burroughs and Mackenzie Gray as Gunter, among 10 credited actors.

Where can I watch Rabid?

In the US, Rabid is streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Cineverse and Fandango at Home Free and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

What was the budget of Rabid?

Rabid had a reported budget of $5 million.

How is Rabid rated?

Rabid has 5.2/10 on IMDb, 55% on Rotten Tomatoes, 43 on Metacritic and 58% on TMDB.

Does Rabid have a post-credit scene?

No. Rabid has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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