Fantasia Fest brought an unusual horror movie that touches on childhood trauma. The Beast Within brings back the old-school flavor of Hammer monster movies, where everything has a Gothic sensibility and an evocative story. The Beast Within deals with the confusion of growing up in a toxic environment. More specifically, how the brain attempts to cope with said environments; being young, it’s tough to understand the unhealthiness of some grown-up situations, especially when they are horrifically problematic. While the movie might explore these ideas to a point where it might feel on the nose, it’s undoubtedly a realistic depiction of childhood. And not to mention, it’s a decent turn for the Game of Thrones star Kit Harrington.
The Beast Within, the story
The movie stars Caoilinn Springall as Willow, a little girl on an island to herself in 1965 England. She lives an isolated life with her mother, Imogen (Ashleigh Cummings), her grandfather, Waylon (James Cosmo), and her father, Noah (Kit Harrington). Their home is in a rural area of the period, and right out of the gate, we understand why they live a reclusive life. Now and then, the family leaves the home, and her father, Noah, appears unwell upon leaving and returning.
One night, Willow follows her family to wherever they’re taking Noah on this ritualistic afternoon; only to discover that her dad is being placed in an isolated location, bound and chained by the neck, waiting for a transformation of some kind. What is unclear in various parts of the film is whether these events are actually happening. The mother and grandfather exhibit the behavior of family members trying to survive a toxic individual. Is he a beast, or is it a child-like way of processing her emotions while surviving a dangerous parent? It is these kinds of questions the movie grapples with throughout its runtime.
Not just a monster movie, but an exploration of childhood terror
Many people had mixed reactions to this film. It’s understandable because it’s not precisely an energetic piece of work. One might even say that, for the most part, it’s dull in comparison to many films at festivals such as Fantasia. In the weirdest way, this movie hit a nerve that wasn’t expected. It’s a very isolated experience when one goes through trauma at a young age, and it’s not something experienced by most people.
For most children, trying to understand a terrible living situation is complicated when young. Personally, it is this writer’s opinion that the movie gets the sentiment correct. Willow sees her father as different, and that her mother and grandfather treat Noah differently. Almost like when the conversation surrounding him gets brought up, the energy gets sucked out of the room. Trying to decipher toxicity in a household at a young age can feel like a distant thing for a child.
Throughout the film, the viewer feels Willow’s detachment and curiosity about the troubling atmosphere of her home. And the way she sees it is that of a horror movie. Because when things are going terrible, it can feel terrifying at that age, especially when abuse is involved.
There is no abuse shown, nor are there any domestic troubles conveyed outright. But Willow’s family treats Noah as they would an abusive father and husband. The problem is: there’s no subtlety in the social commentary. The dad is a werewolf, and everyone is scared of the werewolf.
Relatable but mostly derivative story in The Beast Within
Director Alexander J. Farrell’s new film certainly has issues, mostly involving a lack of trying to say anything new. The abusive allegory has been explored many times before; one can even see it in movies such as the extremely terrible Twilight series. Jacob and his family had moments where the abusive nature of turning into a werewolf was depicted.
There is also a need for more stakes throughout the experience of The Beast Within. For most of its runtime, the film focuses on questions about the father for far too long, and by the time it reaches the stakes, the movie approaches the final stretch.
Even so, it’s not a terrible movie by any means. Caoilinn Springall is quite impactful here as Willow and manages a strong performance as a child trying to navigate the confusion of growing up in a terrible environment. The Beast Within also finds competent strength and conveys what it’s like to be around that kind of environment as a kid. For that bare minimum, the movie is successful.
The Beast Within starring Kit Harrington is now in theaters. Have you checked out the latest from this Game Of Thrones star? Let us know what you think on social media @mycosmiccircus!
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