By Romey Norton July 24, 2024
Kit Harrington (Game of Thrones) stars in the indie fantasy-horror film The Beast Within, made by British filmmaker Alexander J. Farrell. (Not to be confused with the cult horror film with the same name from 1982). Alongside him stars Ashleigh Cummings, James Cosmo and Caylee Cowan.
Synopsis
The story follows ten-year-old Willow whose curiosity gets the better of her and stalks her parents on one of their secret late-night treks to the heart of an ancient forest. After witnessing her father undergo a terrible transformation, by turning into a werewolf, she becomes engulfed by the dark ancestral secret that they've so desperately tried to conceal.
Review
Told through the eyes of the ten-year-old the film has themes of self-discovery, family, toxic relationships, consequences, secrets, and lies. The discovery of her fathers secrets, learning and reflecting on them, is key in childhood development, as there comes a time when we all realise our parents aren’t heroes and are in-fact flawed.
Dark cinematography, dingey, decrepit house, the film starts slowly with a lot of classic horror film tropes. It keeps this slow, slightly suspenseful pace, as we watch the toxic relationships unveil themselves. Whilst the film captures the attention, you might feel as if you’re waiting for something to happen. The plot/story isn’t overly clear, but this is what will keep you invested, leading to a dramatic and thought-provoking end.
Kit Harrington has some strong acting moments, especially with his awkward relationship with his daughter which at times is hard and threatening. He’s the driving force, and will have you on edge with what his next moves are going to be. The werewolf aspect is an interesting perspective, as they represent the duality of human nature, the balance between primal instincts and civilised behaviour. The father goes from being a dutiful dad to a monster at the flick of a switch, in his human form, so this beast within isn’t a mythical monster changed by a monthly moonlight, but is in fact an uncontrollable darkness within himself.
There’s a lot to play with and unpack in this film, with some beautiful, subtle imagery; such as the grandad's wounds looking like angel wings towards the end. Willow needing an oxygen tank is telling us she can’t breathe - reference to her relationship with her parents, growing up and needing to be free. The mother also calls her father a ‘monster’, toying with the idea that the loving grandad isn’t what he appears to be.
The last twenty minutes are the strongest, up until then, the horror aspects had been lacking and the film is much more of a suspenseful thriller. We get to see some chase sequences, a little violence, and fire!
The Beast Within is an artistry in how a film can captivate an audience through suspense and their own imagination, rather than visually stuffing them with jump scares and gore. The Beast Within is a suspenseful showcase, and well worth watching.
Star Rating
The Beast Within releases in cinemas July 26
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