Director: Baltasar Kormákur
Cast: Idris Elba, Sharlto Copley, Iyana Halley, Leah Sava Jeffries
Rating: 15
Running time: 93 mins
Release Date: 26.08.22
First of all, before getting into the nitty gritty of the film BEAST, if you jump or scare easily, don’t hold a box of popcorn in your hand whilst watching this movie, as you will find that most of it will end up down you or on the floor!
BEAST is one of those films that is predictable in plot but it brings the excitement and action. We see Idris Elba play Dr. Nate Daniels who is a father of two teenage daughters Meredith (Iyana Halley) and Norah (Leah Sava Jeffries). His relationship with his daughters is strained after the loss of their mother who had died from cancer. In an effort to bond with them, he takes them to South Africa where he first met his wife. However, this definitely is not a family drama about rekindling relationships and happiness, this is more of a jump-scare thriller that really puts their relationship to the test in order to reunite them once again.
Unbeknown to them, shortly before their arrival, a bunch of poachers had come across a lion pride and killed all but one of them. He survived. He is angry. He wants revenge against all humans within his vicinity that have now become his enemy.
Shortly after their arrival, Nate’s long term friend, a game reserve manager Martin Battles (Sharlto Copley) decides to take them on a safari tour in a more private area where tourists don’t normally go.Â
As easily predicted, their long-planned holiday suddenly becomes the vacation from hell as they fight to survive against the ferocious lion that is stalking his prey.
Throughout the movie, which is only 93 minutes in length, you don’t get much down time to relax as right from the opening act, the jumps and action begins, however, it is very cleverly constructed as there is still time to see the strained relationship of the family pull together to survive and release their demons of the past. The two teenage daughters, played by Iyana Halley and Leah Sava Jeffries are great scene stealers in the movie and help to bring some giggles in the more stressful moments of the film.Â
Idris Elba is a commanding presence on the screen as always and what is particularly great to see is him in a dominating leading role, not blended in amongst a large ensemble cast. He is such a fantastic actor, so it’s wonderful to see him thrust into the spotlight in this movie and really carry it.
Predictable? Yes! Entertaining? Absolutely! It’s an easy to watch movie (unless you scare easily!) that is filled with fun, ferocious thrilling moments and if you are fan of Jurassic Park and Jaws, then this movie is for you. It has emotion, thrill and fear – the perfect combination for any movie.
What do you think of the trailer for the movie? Will you be watching it when it arrives in cinemas? As always, we like to know your thoughts, so leave a comment below, tweet us @filmandtvnow or drop us a comment on our Facebook page.
BEAST is in UK cinemas Friday 26th August.
