The Raft 2019

Art & Craft

In terms of art and craft, the film’s archival cinematography delivers authentic textures and period detail, creating a vivid visual record of the voyage. However, the modern-day footage tends to linger, disrupting the overall visual cohesion and rhythm. While the production design offers clear contextual contrast, uneven editing between past and present segments diminishes the documentary’s visual momentum.

Character & Emotion

When it comes to character and emotion, The Raft benefits from firsthand interviews and a reflective voiceover, which provide insight into the participants’ motivations. The survivors’ recollections convey genuine emotional resonance, yet the film stops short of deeply exploring interpersonal complexity or building sustained dramatic tension. Ultimately, the emotional depth remains thoughtful but somewhat restrained.

Story & Flow

In terms of story and flow, the documentary presents a compelling premise and original experiment, capturing the intrigue of the Peace Project. Pacing varies between engaging archival sequences and slower contemporary reflections, leading to uneven momentum. The plot coherence holds overall, but the film’s structure occasionally feels disjointed. In sum, the narrative is engaging yet intermittently fragmented.

Sensory Experience

In terms of soundtrack and sound design, the film features a robust score that underpins the archival images effectively. The audio mix remains clear, and the music’s measured pacing enhances key moments. Overall, the sensory elements reinforce the thematic depth and maintain engagement throughout the documentary.

Rewatch Factor

For rewatch factor, The Raft offers intriguing subject matter and insightful reflections on human behavior, which may appeal on a first viewing. However, once the core experiment and key revelations are known, subsequent viewings yield diminishing returns. The film’s limited structural surprises and absence of narrative twists reduce its longevity and replay value.