Rabid

Rabid is a riveting 1977 horror film directed by acclaimed filmmaker David Cronenberg and features performances from Marilyn Chambers, Frank Moore, and Terry Schonblum. This cinematically explosive combination of horror and science fiction expertly rolls into an engaging narrative which is not afraid to delve into the darker potentials of scientific advancements and the human body.

Acclaimed adult film star Marilyn Chambers makes her mainstream cinema debut in Rabid, delivering an intense performance that is both chilling and empathetic. Chambers plays Rose, the main protagonist, who is involved in a devastating motorcycle accident. Severely injured and desperate for a lifeline, she is brought to The Keloid Clinic, a nearby plastic surgery clinic. Both her life and trajectory of the story take an irreversible turn when she is treated with experimental skin grafting surgery by Dr. Keloid - a role compellingly played by Howard Ryshpan.

The clinic's unconventional procedure leaves Rose with an insatiable thirst for human blood. She develops a distinctive organ under her arm that serves as a bloodsucking orifice. Despite Rose’s victim’s initial ecstasy during the process, they ultimately meet a morose fate and are left with a ravenous and rabid thirst. The recipients subsequently turn into violent zombie-like creatures who are voracious for human blood. As they spread their affliction with a mere fierce nip, an alarming epidemic threatens to engulf Montreal.

Frank Moore gives a captivating performance in the role of Rose's boyfriend, Hart Read. As the horrors unfold, his character's arc is intensely wrought, moving from a devoted boyfriend struggling with the aftermath of Rose's accident to a man desperately attempting to understand and put an end to the ensuing chaos.

Terry Schonblum's character, Lloyd Walsh, is one of the clinic patients who unwittingly becomes tangled in this unfolding horror. His performance is commendable as he convincingly portrays his character's evolution from a clinic patient to one of the carriers of the terrifying virus.

David Cronenberg, known for his body horror films, uses Rabid as a vehicle to explore his signature themes: the intermingling of the human body, sexuality, and technology. The film brilliantly navigates the boundaries of horror and socio-political commentary. One can't help but appreciate Cronenberg’s distinct style of translating his dark and provoking ideas on screen, thereby reflecting our collective fears about the consequences of unchecked scientific progress.

Rabid is exceptional in its usage of chilling horror elements intertwined with an underlying theme of uncontrollable disease spread, reflective of societal fears of pandemics. It's not just about blood and gore but also speaks volumes about the society we inhabit and the horrors that we, as a society, contribute to birthing.

Moreover, the film features remarkable cinematography by René Verzier. His adept compositions and shots bring alive the eerie atmosphere and visual horror that add layers of dread to the story. His master strokes in cinematography, combined with Ivan Reitman's production, bring to the screen a horror film that stimulates both senses and intellect.

What’s more, the film's distinctive soundscape, designed by Joe Grimaldi, hooks you from the get-go, enveloping you in an atmosphere of spine-tingling horror. The SFX makeup designed by Shonagh Jabour effectively portrays the gruesome aftermath of the rabid victims, adding a measurable sense of horror, morbidity, and realism to the storyline.

In sum, Rabid is a captivating horror film that goes beyond the traditional bounds of its genre. It uses the narrative of an insidious disease as a metaphor, suggesting discomforting questions on bioethics, the nature of unchecked scientific experiments, and the horrors they might unleash on society. The film's haunting depiction of a pandemic resonates with vulnerabilities and fears in the real world, making it a timeless piece of cinema that continues to reverberate in contemporary times. Loaded with outstanding performances, impressive special effects, and an evocative soundscape, Rabid stands out as a benchmark piece of horror cinema.