Documentary filmmaker Alexander J. Farrell has transitioned into feature films with the horror production “The Beast Within,” distributed by Well Go USA. Farrell and Greer Taylor Ellison co-authored the screenplay. The movie features Kit Harington, Ashleigh Cummings, James Cosmo, and Caoilinn Springall in lead roles.
. In the wake of a series of bizarre events, 10-year-old Willow, portrayed by Springall, begins to question the secluded lifestyle of her family, who resides within a heavily protected compound nestled deep in the untamed English countryside. Curious and compelled by her suspicions, she clandestinely follows her parents, Noah (played by Harrington) and Imogen (played by Cummings), on one of their mysterious late-night excursions into the heart of the ancient forest. During this ethereal journey, Willow bears witness to a harrowing metamorphosis by her father, which leads her to be trapped by the ominous and long-concealed family secret.
The studio aims to promote the film using Kit Harrington, who is recognized for his role in “Game of Thrones.” However, like David Caruso, who famously departed from “NYPD Blue,” Harrington has not yet transitioned into a leading film star. The film opens up with an older woman uncovering a beast in the woods, and I thought I had an idea of where it would ultimately go. Sadly, it fails to deliver on the promised suspense and tension. The pacing is erratic, with abrupt shifts in tone that left me feeling disoriented and detached from the characters’ plight. Rather than building a sense of dread and unease, the film relies on clichéd jump scares and predictable plot twists that do little to engage or surprise viewers.
Harrington tries to elevate the film, and the rest of the performances are serviceable, particularly from Caoilinn Springall, who portrays Willow as if the film were a drama about a father returning from war and struggling with PTSG. However, the characters remain one-dimensional and underdeveloped for a supposed horror film. James Cosmo, who portrays Willow’s grandfather, comes across as a caricature of secretive and troubled individuals, lacking the emotional depth to invest the audience in their struggles.
Furthermore, the film’s visual aesthetic, though atmospheric at times, feels derivative and uninspired, failing to capitalize on the eerie beauty of the English wilderness. The special effects used to depict Willow’s father’s transformation are jarring and unconvincing, diminishing the impact of a crucial turning point in the story.
“The Beast Within,” squanders its potential to be a gripping psychological thriller by succumbing to tired genre tropes and narrative inconsistencies. Despite a promising premise, the film ultimately collapses under the weight of its ambitions, leaving viewers with a sense of disappointment and missed opportunities. Farrell’s direction needs the finesse required to elevate the material, resulting in a forgettable and ultimately unsatisfying viewing experience.
Final Grade: D+
“The Beast Within” opens in theaters today.
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