The Beast Within is a 2024 mystery horror-thriller film directed by Alexander J. Farrell, co-written by Greer Ellison, Alexander J. Farrell, and produced by Merlin Merton, Martin Owen, Karl Hall, and Ryan Hamilton. The film stars Kit Harington, Ashleigh Cummings, James Cosmo, and Caoilinn Springall. It was released on 26 July 2024.

Plot

A young girl named Willow lives a secluded life with her parents, Noah and Imogen, in a fortified compound deep in the English countryside. Noah, a quiet and mysterious figure, insists on strict rules for Willow, especially at night. Willow, however, grows increasingly curious about her family's secretive behavior, particularly their mysterious night-time excursions into the forest. One night, driven by curiosity, Willow follows her parents into the woods, where she witnesses Noah undergo a terrifying transformation into a monstrous, wolf-like creature. Traumatized, she returns to the compound, where she begins piecing together the dark family legacy her parents have kept hidden. Through her investigation, Willow learns that her father’s transformation is due to an ancient curse, passed down through generations, that binds him to the beastly nature he tries to suppress. As the family’s secret unravels, tensions rise, and Willow’s loyalty to her parents is tested. She must confront the duality of her father's character: the loving parent by day and the terrifying Beast by night. The curse not only puts Noah at risk but threatens to consume the family, forcing Willow and Imogen to face hard choices to break the cycle of trauma and violence. In a climactic confrontation, Willow tries to save her father and herself from the darkness that haunts their bloodline, leading to a final showdown in the woods that challenges their loyalty and endurance. The film closes with an ambiguous ending, hinting that the entire concept of the monster may have been a coping mechanism, and that nothing truly supernatural took place. Several scenes from earlier in the movie are replayed but include more detail, showing an abusive nature from the father, including the climactic scene, except this time he is a human, and approaches his daughter wearing only the bottom half of long john underclothes.

Cast

Kit Harington as Noah Ashleigh Cummings as Imogen James Cosmo as Waylon Caoilinn Springall as Willow Ian Giles as William Martina McClements as Great Grandmother Adam Basil as a townsperson

Production

The Beast Within was filmed in Harewood Woods and Castle in West Yorkshire England, chosen for its atmospheric and eerie setting with its Structures dating back to the 14th century. The film's director, Alexander J. Farrell, aimed to create a sense of dread and suspense, using practical effects and minimal CGI to bring the Beast to life. The script, written by Greer Ellison, draws inspiration from classic horror films and folklore, blending elements of mystery and psychological terror.

= Filming

= Principal photography for The Beast Within began in Yorkshire, England with the working title "What Remains of Us" in May 2023 and continued over several months.

Release and Reception

The Beast Within premiered at the Fantasia Film Festival on 26 July 2024, where it received positive reviews for its suspenseful storytelling and effective use of practical effects. Critics praised the performances of the lead actors, particularly Kit Harington's portrayal of Noah and Caoilinn Springall's role as Willow. Tyler Nichols of JoBlo.com praised Caoillinn Springall's performance, which is as impressive. Aaron B. Peterson of The Hollywood Outsider gave the film 2/5 stars. Film pundit, John Dotson of The Cosmic Circus described the film as a Gothic Tale of Childhood Trauma. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, The Beast Within holds an approval rating of 40% based on 42 reviews, with an average rating of 5.3/10. The site's consensus states: "Somewhere inside The Beast Within lies a clever riff on the werewolf genre, but it struggles to claw through a lack of incident and specificity."

Box office

The Beast Within earned $51,860 in its opening week in the US.

Soundtrack

The film's soundtrack, composed by Jack Halama and Nathan W Klein, features an eerie and haunting score that enhances the film's suspenseful atmosphere. The soundtrack was released on digital streaming platforms and received critical acclaim for its contribution to the film's mood and tone.

References

External links

The Beast Within at IMDb