Ravenous (1999 film)

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Ravenous is a 1999 American horror film directed by Antonia Bird and starring Guy Pearce, Robert Carlyle, Jeffrey Jones, and David Arquette. The film is set during the Mexican–American War and tells the story of a remote military outpost where a rescue mission takes a dark turn when they encounter a man who has resorted to cannibalism.

Plot

The film follows Captain John Boyd (Guy Pearce), a soldier who is sent to a remote military outpost in the Sierra Nevada after being promoted for an act of cowardice during the Mexican–American War. At the outpost, Boyd meets Colonel Hart (Jeffrey Jones) and the other soldiers stationed there.

One night, a stranger named Colqhoun (Robert Carlyle) arrives at the outpost, claiming that his party was stranded in the mountains and forced to resort to cannibalism to survive. A rescue mission is organized, but it soon becomes clear that Colqhoun is not who he seems, and the soldiers find themselves in a deadly game of cat and mouse with a man who has developed a taste for human flesh.

Cast

• Guy Pearce as Captain John Boyd
• Robert Carlyle as Colqhoun
• Jeffrey Jones as Colonel Hart
• David Arquette as Private Cleo
• Jeremy Davies as Private Toffler
• Neal McDonough as Private Reich
• John Spencer as General Slauson

Production

The film was directed by Antonia Bird, who took over the project after the original director, Milcho Manchevski, left due to creative differences. The screenplay was written by Ted Griffin, and the film's score was composed by Damon Albarn and Michael Nyman.

Themes

Ravenous explores themes of survival, the human instinct for self-preservation, and the moral implications of cannibalism. The film also delves into the psychological effects of isolation and the breakdown of social norms in extreme situations.

Reception

Ravenous received mixed reviews upon its release, with praise for its unique blend of horror and dark humor, as well as the performances of the cast, particularly Robert Carlyle and Guy Pearce. However, some critics found the film's tone uneven and its narrative disjointed. Despite its initial reception, Ravenous has since gained a cult following and is appreciated for its originality and bold storytelling.

See also

• Cannibalism in popular culture
• Mexican–American War
• Horror film