Beast (2017) Reviews

• Beast, as the name suggests, is a ferocious psychological indie thriller.

  TheMovieDiorama2018-05-01

  Also named 'Jersey Affair' in certain markets (God knows why, sounds like an American sitcom), is another indie film that not enough people are watching. I went in knowing absolutely nothing. No trailer, no reviews, no ratings...completely blind. A damn good choice if I do say so myself, should do it more often. An odd pair of lovers embark on a vigorous journey of self-discovery where a serial killer hunting young girls is looming on the island they reside in. A rather tantalising and powerful drama that encapsulates the empowering inner rage that takes control of our innocence. Further illustrating the beastly presence within us as this small community are in the midst of a horrific crime. Paranoia, self-control, authority, a psycho-semantic thriller that really left me gasping for air. The heightened nature and attitudes of all the characters is intricately portrayed. At first you may succumb to the initial innocence but then their true animosity comes through. Extremely well crafted and beautifully directed by Pearce who utilises the scenery to add emphasis on the engrossing performances. Buckley was electrifying as a 27 year old woman who is still under rule from her mother who's authoritative command enables her to break away from the family. It's somewhat uncomfortable, which really took me by surprise. The focus on the relationship rather than the crime was paramount in building essential character development. Whilst this did shift during the third act, it was maintained constructively throughout. Some scenes were riddled with ambiguity, such as the funeral, which left me intrigued rather than perplexed. I bought into the psychology of the main character. The ending was slightly underwhelming, I wish they cut the final ten minutes and left them walking into the distance. Also some scenes had horrific natural lighting which was just too dark. However, this was a captivating thriller that both mentally stimulated my mind and made me emotionally involved. Definitely check this out!

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• Another Gem.

  saschultz-562082018-09-08

  You can always rely on the British to make great movies. There is just something about the landscapes , soundtrack and depth of it all, that makes you realize that you are watching quality. I really enjoyed this movie. It was real and the acting was great. A dark tale of love , mistakes , judgements and the " beast " in all of us. I always gauge a movie on how long I think about it after it's over. This one had my attention. I think too many people go into the story too much and explain an opinion. I think if you lean a bit to the dark side of entertainment , take this one for a spin .

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• A thrilling and inventive film

  mveal2018-04-30

  I enjoyed this film. Just when you think the crime genre has run out of original ideas along comes Beast with its entirely fresh take on a seemingly conventional story. The direction of Beast was often striking, the film had a good script and the acting by all of the performers was top notch. My attention isn't always held at the cinema, even good films have their boring bits. I'm happy to say that Beast transfixed me from beginning to end. Many of the film's scenes will stay with me for a long time. An innovative and haunting thriller, if you like imaginative cinema I highly recommend it.

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• A pleasant surprise. Go in blind if you can.

  DJKwa2018-07-12

  //Revelation Film Festival Review// A psychological drama that steadily ratchets up tension, Beast is best entered into blind. For those who need a little more persuasion, the story follows a young woman, a mysterious man and a series of unexplained killings in a small seaside town. As both their past mistakes come back to haunt them, is all as it seems? As Michael Pearce's debut feature, Beast is an assured first effort. Just when you think you know where it's heading it makes you question your assumptions and you'll be second guessing until the very end. A pleasant surprise that's definitely worth checking out.

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• Warped romantic, gothic, murder mystery is unsettling, fresh and engrossing.

  jake-young962018-05-10

  In an isolated community, a rebellious and troubled young woman finds herself torn between her manipulative family and the allure of love between her and a roguish outsider. At the height of a terror of serial killings that have swept the small island, this young woman's lover is accused as a suspect, sending her and the town into a frenzy. "Do you think he saw it at our cinema and was inspired?" says the creepy former cinema operator in Zodiac when talking about 1932 horror classic The Most Dangerous Game. I asked a similar question about this film. But while it has loose inspirations from The Most Dangerous Game, it is its own beast, with some nods here and there to the horror classic. Ultimately it is a warped yet insightful comment on relationships and our animalistic brains. It's clear to see the focus to details in script, character and dialogue. The film takes great care in layering the film with on the nose suggestions to animalistic themes. We slowly see the descent of Moll from her oppressive civilised institution to her barbaric earthy hidden self. The Institutional oppression or lack of success is a key theme for many horror films and so too does Beast echo this with its choir symphonies and the ruthless attitude of the police force. There is a character that is brought in as part of the police investigation that exemplifies both but twists the motif on its head and the alluring love life with a suspected serial killer humorously seems to be the saner side. It's the anxiety around trusted institutions of social circles, the police force and family being morphed into these Gothic Horror-esque characters, that bring a spine-tingling tension. However, the focus of the story makes polar shifts and makes the tone quite uneven in parts. Sometimes venturing more into a dramatic romantic tale, with very little detail into the investigation/murders that adds a lack of story to that part of the film. That is not to say it forgets what it is, quite the opposite, the heated passion of these two lovers is constantly smeared with an uncompromising pressure. Words and glances seem to echo as you question their meaning, this is made insurmountable by the staggeringly possessive performance from Jessie Buckley. A deeply complex and often outright absolutely confusing portrayal but ultimately an all-encompassing character that will have you hanging off her every word. Johnny Flynn plays his part in contrast, reserved, secretive and less showy but still just as powerful if not for a few dry deliveries here and there. This film really belongs to the two of them, adding an uncertain nature to their relationship and the outcome of events, they are integral to keeping the plot as nail-biting as it is. While much of these characters and the story itself breaths an air of predictability, the film does a marvellous job keeping you on your toes. Echoing the anxious, erratic characters, so too does its plot possess these qualities. Shifting between passionate warped romance and gothic horror murder mystery can be quite unsettling but evidently, that is the desired effect. Sharp, direct and yet subtle, Beast controls its audience and characters with a haunting clarity and while it's ending seems somewhat rushed and flat it still bears interest and discussion. Making Beast an absolutely exhilarating primal rush from start to finish, an astonishing directorial debut.

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