Beast (2018)

Absolutely amazing

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Another film that makes its stamp and cements the argument that there are still original films being made in 2018. Not only with it's haunting thrills and visuals, but memorable performances and direction give 'Beast' a place among the year's best. If she wasn't already known around the industry with her turns on television, Beast will certainly give way for more starring roles in film. Her physical and emotional performance is enough to send chills down your spine and take you through a whirlwind of feelings. In a world of films that feel cliche and made strictly for cash, Beast will stay with you long after the theaters, and it's consistently challenging and effective.9.2/10

"Beast" (2017 release from the UK) brings the story of Moll, a woman in her mid-20s. As the movie opens, we see Moll participating in her church choir practice, led by an older lady who turns out to be her mom. Next day, it's Moll's birthday but she's not enjoying herself at the cookout party, and instead goes to the local pub where she meets a guy, and they dance and walk all night. The next morning when the guy tries to impose himself on her, Moll is rescued by another guy, named Pascal. Pascal and Moll hit it off immediately. Meanwhile, in a parallel story, the isle of Jersey is rocked once again when a 15 yr. old girl goes missing that same day of Moll's cookout party. It's the 4th girl in a row... At this point we're less than 15 minutes into the movie but to tell you more of the plot would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.Couple of comments: this is the feature length debut film from writer-director Michael Pearce. Here he brings a plot-heavy mystery thriller/psychological drama in which we ask several questions: how did Moll end up living at her parents' house in her mid-20s, with her mom ruling the household with an iron fist? what to make of Pascal, and is he possibly connected with the disappeared girls? and what does the future hold between Moll and Pascal? The movie is set and filmed on the isle of Jersey, off the coast of northwestern France. I have never been there, and it looks to be much bigger than I had imagined it (Moll is a tourist bus tour guide, incidentally). Pearce works mostly with a cast of unknowns (the only one i recognized was Geraldine James as Moll's mom). And what to say about Jessie Buckley, the Irish actress/performer in her debut lead role as Moll. She is in virtually every frame of the movie, and she carries the movie on her shoulders, and with might, I should add. Surely we haven't seen the last of her."Beast" premiered at last Fall's Toronto International Film Festival, to immediate critical acclaim. The movie opened at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati, and I couldn't wait to see it. The Sunday early evening screening where I saw this at was attended quite nicely, somewhat to my surprise. If you are in the mood for a quality mystery thriller/psychological drama with a ferocious female lead performance, you could do a lot worse than "Beast". I readily recommend you check it out, be it in the theater, non VOD, or eventually on DVD/Blu-ray, and draw your own conclusion.

Young women are being murdered in a suffocatingly close-knit island community, but who is the culprit?We are introduced to Moll, a young woman living at home with her deeply unpleasant control-freak of a mother Hilary, and her father who suffers from dementia. Moll is sidelined by her family at every opportunity, including her birthday party. Distressed, she leaves the party and winds up in a nightclub where she gets drunk and attracts the attention of a young man who obviously has only one goal in mind. When he doesn't get what he wants he tries to pressurise Moll.The couple are unaware they have been observed by another young man, Pascal. Pascal intervenes and threatens Moll's increasingly aggressive nightclub date with the rifle he has been using to illegally poach rabbits. Scared, the other guy runs off leaving Moll with Pascal. She is initially scared of Pascal but he quickly notices that she has a nasty cut on her hand and offers to take care of it. Moll is reassured by Pascal's presence and allows him to help her.Moll and Pascal gradually fall in love, and we learn more about their individual back stories. They both have hidden depths but surely neither can be capable of murder. Is it far more likely that another member of the local Royston Vasey-esque community is the killer? Jessie Buckley and Johnny Flynn have fantastic chemistry and you totally believe the passion they awake in each other.Although we eventually learn the identity of the serial killer, I was not entirely convinced of their guilt. My own personal opinion is that the very final admission is made out of the perfectly understandable desire to make a human connection and live rather than die. However, others may disagree and have their own interpretation. That sense of doubt is what is so compelling about this film. It has an almost fairytale quality and, let's not forget, fairytales can be very dark indeed!Jessie Buckley and Johnny Flynn give exceptional performances here and will go on, I am sure, to ever increasing success in the years to come. 'Beast' is a film I would be more than happy to recommend. It is a terrific calling card from director Michael Pearce in his feature debut. I will be sure to look out for other films directed by him in the future.

Because of the reviews, I was reluctant to see this film. I thought it would be unpleasant to sit through. too violent. I needn't have worried. too boring would be a better description. nothing happens. you keep thinking it might, but you'd be wrong. is she crazy? is he a sadistic killer? am I crazy? you pick.