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Ravenous is a 1999 horror film directed by Antonia Bird, featuring an impressive cast of actors such as Guy Pearce, Robert Carlyle, and David Arquette. The movie takes place in California during the mid-19th century, and the story revolves around a group of soldiers stationed at a remote military outpost in the snowy mountains. Captain John Boyd (Guy Pearce) is a traumatized soldier who is sent to Fort Spencer, where he encounters a group of misfit soldiers, including Private Toffler (Jeremy Davies) and Private Reich (Neal McDonough). The group is led by Colonel Hart (Jeffrey Jones), who is obsessed with maintaining his military reputation and refuses to acknowledge the harsh conditions around him. One night, they come across a stranger named Colqhoun (Robert Carlyle), who claims to have survived a horrific ordeal in the wilderness, and begs for their help. As they take him back to the base, they soon discover that their new guest is not what he seems to be.

As the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that Colqhoun is actually a cannibal who has resorted to eating human flesh to survive. The group must confront an evil that they cannot comprehend, as the cannibalism slowly spreads and leads to a gruesome and bloody battle for survival. As the tensions escalate and the body count rises, the characters are forced to face their deepest fears and realize that there are some things that cannot be rationalized.

Ravenous is a horror movie that explores the themes of colonization, violence, and the human desire for survival at any cost. It subverts the traditional tropes of the western genre, making it an interesting and unique take on the genre. The setting of a military outpost in the snowy mountains creates a sense of claustrophobia and isolation that adds to the tension and horror of the movie.

The performances by the cast are impressive, with Guy Pearce portraying the traumatized Boyd with a quiet intensity that perfectly captures the character's internal struggle. Robert Carlyle's portrayal of Colqhoun is also notable, as he brings to life the complex and enigmatic character with chilling authenticity. The supporting cast also excels in their roles, with David Arquette being particularly memorable as Cleaves, a soldier who is trapped in a state of constant fear and paranoia.

The film's soundtrack, composed by Damon Albarn and Michael Nyman, further adds to the eerie atmosphere of the movie, with haunting melodies that perfectly capture the sense of dread and foreboding that permeates throughout.

In conclusion, Ravenous is a unique horror movie that stands out in the genre for its fresh take on traditional tropes and its exploration of complex themes. The performances, atmosphere, and soundtrack all work together to create a tense and unsettling experience that will stay with audiences long after the end credits roll.

Ravenous is a 1999 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 46.