The Beast Within (2024) – Written Review
Kit Harrington stars in a werewolf movie that is more about the human being, the tortured, insecure soul, than the beast within (no pun intended).
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Plot Summary
Out in the wilderness is a small family. There is Grandpa Waylin, Noah, Imogene, and the youngest of them all, Willow. Noah is inflicted with a family curse of becoming a werewolf, and as time goes on, his control of it, Imogene’s handling of it, and Waylin’s patience regarding it has diminished. This leaves Willow, who is scared of her dad, often stuck between her mother’s fight to keep Noah around and Waylin’s belief Noah should be killed when they have the chance.
Noted Cast and Characters Of “The Beast Within”
James Cosmo As Grandpa Waylin
Grandpa Waylin, at this point, seems to be sticking around to protect his daughter and granddaughter and redeem himself. Seemingly, like Noah, he can got aggressive with his wife to the point that Imogene refuses to call him dad unless it is in moments of distress.
- The actor is also known for their role in “His Dark Materials: Season 1, Episode 2.”
Kit Harington As Noah
Noah claims to own a nearby pine tree forest and often can be seen chopping wood. However, on full moons, he is locked away at an old fort, and when he is not working or transforming into a werewolf, he tries to be a family man. However, knowing his situation is a lot to put up with, he worries Imogene will grow tired of helping and leave him.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Blood for Dust.”
Ashleigh Cummings As Imogene
Imogene is just trying to do right by her family, not end up like her mom did with her dad, and keep her little girl protected from her daddy’s dark side.
- The actor is also known for their role in “The Goldfinch.”
Caoilinn Springall As Willow
With a breathing condition and being completely isolated from anyone but her family, Willow has learned how to keep herself occupied, but this hasn’t lessened her curiosity about the folks around her. Especially when it is pushed, they keep secrets.
Content Information
- Dialog: Nothing Notable
- Violence: Family Violence, Violence Against Animals (Off-Screen), Gore, Blood
- Sexual Content: Nudity (Backside – Kit Harrington)
- Miscellaneous: Body Horror
Review
Our Rating: Mixed (Divisive)
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On The Fence
There Is a Good Chance You’ll Be Bored to Sleep
It’s difficult to find a drama mixed with any other genre, except comedy, and the drama not sucking the life out of the film. In the case of “The Beast Within,” it is pushed to damn near be a period piece with the music that plays in the background, the overheard camera shots of the wilderness, and just a sense that this film isn’t going anywhere quickly. It wants to take its time, barely covering a thing worth getting excited about.
Now, this isn’t to say Willow’s nightmares about her dad and what she thinks he is doesn’t jolt you from damn near going to sleep in your chair. However, the build to seeing what Noah looks like as a Werewolf and what he is capable of doesn’t seem to be the goal. If anything, it is Noah’s relationship with his family when he isn’t a werewolf. Whether it is his challenging relationship with his father-in-law, Imogene potentially wanting to back off from that “Death Do Us Part” commitment, and her maybe seeing someone else, to Willow.
It seems that Willow has a hot and cold relationship with her father. She has nightmares about his werewolf form; you can even say there are moments when it is teased that she could become one, but that storyline isn’t pursued. Instead, we focus on him acting like a monster even when he was flesh and bone.
But, despite the intrigue that could have developed in pushing what being a werewolf does to him outside the full moon, the ability to develop some sort of emotional depth or tap into the lore of the werewolf, “The Beast Within” doesn’t push its potential to become realized.
General Information
Film Length
1 Hour 37 Minutes
Date Released
July 26, 2024
How To Watch “The Beast Within”
Theatrical
External Link (Stream Here or Go To Official Site)
Where To Buy, Rent or Subscribe To Watch This:
Distributor
Well Go USA Entertainment
Director(s)
Alexander J. Farrell
Writer(s)
Greer Ellison, Alexander J. Farrell
Genre(s)
Content Rating
Why Is The Movie Named “The Beast Within?”
Because Noah is a werewolf, which is the beast within, or because he is a beast, when he is mad and insecure because he thinks his wife might be cheating on him.
