Ravenous (Les Affamรฉs, 2017) is a French-Canadian horror drama directed and written by Robin Aubert. The film is a chilling and atmospheric exploration of a zombie apocalypse, set in the rural countryside of Quebec. It blends elements of psychological horror, survival drama, and dark humor, offering a unique and poignant take on the zombie genre.
The story unfolds in a small, remote Quebec village where an unexplained epidemic has turned people into flesh-eating zombies. These infected individuals, known as “the Affamรฉs” (the Hungry), are not mindless monsters but display eerie, almost ritualistic behavior, such as stacking objects into bizarre sculptures in the fields.
As they band together, the group navigates a desolate landscape, battling not only the infected but also their internal fears and emotional scars. Each characterโs past is hinted at, creating a sense of depth and humanity that makes their plight even more harrowing.
The infected are portrayed as a constant, looming threat. Their odd, cult-like behaviorsโsuch as gathering and building inexplicable structuresโadd an unsettling layer to the horror, suggesting there may be more to the infection than meets the eye.
The film culminates in a desperate struggle for survival as the survivors attempt to escape the region. Not everyone makes it, and the final scenes leave viewers with a haunting mix of hope and despair, as well as lingering questions about the nature of the infection.
Ravenous received critical acclaim for its innovative approach to the zombie genre. Critics praised its haunting cinematography, emotional depth, and the performances of its cast, particularly Marc-Andrรฉ Grondin and Monia Chokri. The filmโs emphasis on character-driven storytelling and its eerie, contemplative tone set it apart from more action-oriented zombie films.