Eating Raoul (1982)

88% of critics liked it
(17 reviews)
67% of users liked it
(5,034 ratings)

Eating Raoul was celebrated at the time of its release as the perfect marriage between mainstream moviemaking and the so-called "underground" cinema. Cult-film icons Mary Woronov and Paul Bartel (both of whom directed) play a married couple who decide to cash in on the sexual perversions of others.… More Eating Raoul was celebrated at the time of its release as the perfect marriage between mainstream moviemaking and the so-called "underground" cinema. Cult-film icons Mary Woronov and Paul Bartel (both of whom directed) play a married couple who decide to cash in on the sexual perversions of others. Posing as a hooker, Woronov lures the "johns" in and indulges their every kinky whim, whereupon Bartel kills the unwary client, steals the valuables, and sells the corpse for dog food. Though they see nothing wrong in what they're doing, they react in prudish disgust at the sexual preferences of their victims. Eventually, Raoul (Robert Beltran), the fellow who transports the corpses to the dog food concern, proves expendable--and extremely edible. Eating Raoul features a high-powered comic supporting cast, among them Buck Henry, Ed Begley Jr., Richard Paul, Hamilton Camp, and Edie McClurg. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 23 min.
Directed By: Paul Bartel
Written By: Richard Blackburn, Paul Bartel
Genres: Comedy, Cult Movies

In Theaters: Sep 24, 1982 Wide
On DVD: Apr 13, 2004

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Bartel's cult classic paved the way for many rude satires about sex, murder, and cannibalism.
Rudy Joggerst, Reel.com
Low-key humor paired with vividly drawn main characters makes Eating Raoul look like the Dick van Dyke Show on acid.
Emily Blunt, Blunt Review
The acting duo of Mary Woronov and Paul Bartel deliver a nonchalant comedic style of delivery, this odd matter-of-factly placidness in a sea of mayhem abounding...Read on->
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
the hype that precedes this film is bigger than the laughs you may get out of it
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Eating Raoul is a lively black comedy about the aftershocks of the sexual revolution in America.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's hard to resist this sardonically riotous black comedy, even if you know the ingredients in the gourmet meal are disgusting.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Overrated cult comedy isn't nearly as funny as it thinks it is.

Read all 7 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Thomas J

This movie had such a mystique about it that it could not live up to the expectations I had, but now I can say I have at least watched it.
AJ V

A very funny cult movie, I really liked it, the story is really good too.The only thing I didn't really like was the ending, but still, I highly recommend it.
Randy T

Not bad for low budget, cannibalistic, 80's film-making where the highlight is a short erotic scene and the biggest star is Ed Begley, Jr.
Lafe F

I like Paul Bartel and Robert Beltran, but this movie was pretty silly - I could never get into the zaziness of it all. People keep saying how risque and funny it is, but it went over my head. Maybe I'll give it another viewing someday.
Cindy I

The ending of this film was not at all what I expected, which made it even more fun that it started out to be. Mary Woronov and Paul Bartel play a prim and proper couple whose lives get turned around by a visitor to their home.
Michael G

A really great black comedy in its own little world.
Christopher O

A black comedy brillantly written and directed by Paul Bartel and stars him as well. He plays nebbish Paul Bland who is married to a knockout nurse named Mary played by the sexy Mary Woronov. After meeting a thief Raoul they come up with a plot to bring unsuspecting people or targets… More
A black comedy brillantly written and directed by Paul Bartel and stars him as well. He plays nebbish Paul Bland who is married to a knockout nurse named Mary played by the sexy Mary Woronov. After meeting a thief Raoul they come up with a plot to bring unsuspecting people or targets to their apartment where they are kileed and their bodies are grounded into dog food. THe film is a satitch and is a great social satire.
Quinto W

Funny, dark and twisted, it's perfectly enjoyable on a lazy sunday, but it is not sometihng I want to watch again inmediately or anytime soon.
Anthony V

Low budget fun.

Read all 9 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Paul Bartel as Paul Bland

            Mary Woronov as Mary

            Robert Beltran as Raoul

            Susan Saiger as Doris the Dominatrix

            Ed Begley Jr as Hippy

            Dan Barrows as Bobbie R.

            Dick Blackburn as James

            Ralph Brannen as Raoul's Friend

            Hamilton Camp as Mr. Peck

            Buck Henry as Mr. Leech

            Edie McClurg as Susan

            Billy Curtis as Little Person

            Garry Goodrow as Drunk Swinger

            Darcy Pulliam as Nurse Sheila

            John Shearin as Patient

            Don Steele as Host

            Robert V. Barron as Butler at Swingers Party

            Anna Mathias as Secretary

            John Paragon as Sexshop Salesman

            Allan Rich as Nazi

            Mark Woods as Hold-up Man

            Rick Waln as Doris' Admirer

            Myron Meisel
            
            Arlene Harris as Swinger

            Carol Bahoric
            
            Richard Paul as Mr. Kray
See full cast

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