Don't listen to the negative reviews

It isn't all that great, actually. Really cheesy and very predicable of how certain scenes are gonna turn play out. However, I guess that's the charm of it all, because I would consider this one of my guilty pleasures.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

One word that describes this film: interesting. It presents a push-and-pull where the viewer really doesn't know where the story is going to go - or willing to go. That part was fun though. Moll (Jessie Buckley) meets Pascal (Johnny Flynn) on a night where a brutal murder takes place in their small town. They get along quick and become an item. Later, the local police are interested in Pascal as a suspect for this murder - and others that link to it. Then, whether or not he did it, and whether or not Moll is willing to be his false alibi, are tussled with for the duration of the film.I liked all of those parts and it kept me guessing all the way up until the end. The ending itself was pretty surprising as well. What I struggled with is how annoying Moll's family was. They sheltered her because of a previous 'episode' she had - one that never fully reveals itself, either. Moll is, however, an adult and her mother especially is maddening - to the point that it took me out of the movie and made me angry.That being said, the thriller aspect of the film was good - and the acting from Buckley and Flynn was definitely up to snuff. I would recommend seeing Beast.

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.

I heard really good things about this so wanted to check it out. I watched Taboo, so I know Jessie Buckley from that series and know she's a talent. It's always nice to stay in the dark about a film's plot, which is relatively easier for these limited release films. I liked Beast from the get go and thought it did a lot very well. its overall, a well acted and really well made film. Its not as mysterious as it may seem but it does excellent portrayal of a relationship that against all odds attempts to flourish, despite the dangers involved.The film is about a girl named Moll who meets a mysterious boy named Pascal and they instantly become romantically involved. Things become complicated when Moll's family show their disapproval of Pascal. Also, girls from the town are getting brutally murdered and the mystery seems to point to Pascal. Moll must try to follow her heart while also considering who her boyfriend could really be. Johnny Flynn stars alongside Buckley as Pascal.I think Jessie Buckley knocks her performance out of the park. She is tremendous and you see her go through love, rejection, and she always shows off pure emotion. The film itself has amazing countryside and beach-side cinematography and works so well because of the strength of the leads and the absolute dark and bleak story. Its very strong in many areas. I think the plot could have used work in certain parts but that doesn't take away from the film.There are moments in the film that are portrayed perfectly, it keeps you watching intently and hoping for more. I urge film lovers to watch this because its a good effort that will be appreciated by people in the mood for a dark and romantic thriller. I hope to see Jessie Buckley in other work because she is the high point of this really good thriller. A lot of films can learn from this.7.5/10

The first part of the film sets up a tense atmosphere by keeping the main characters under a mysterious light. It appears that something great is about to be revealed. But as the time passes, it is clear that this movie wants to be something it is not. There are no surprises, no shock value, and no unexpected turns. The actors do their best to save the underwhelming narrative, but they can only do so much.Beast feels like an overproduced student film that doesn't have anything new to offer.