Beast reviewed by Mark Kermode

Mark Kermode reviews Beast. A young woman in an isolated community it torn between her oppressive family and the mysterious stranger she has a fallen in love with - a man suspected of committing a series of brutal murders.
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[@sl3ptsolong]

She is definitely the beast. A girl who has spent her life trying to please and be the thing her mother wants her to be. She has no sense of self. She is desperate for release through pain, pleasure, novelty, excitement and validation. Pascal ultimately free's her from the illusion she has of herself as being this kind compassionate and empathetic person. That's the false image she uses to contain herself. So she takes on his edgy nature. Nearer the end on the dancefloor when she was saying she wants to get out of the town he looked at her with fear that he was losing control of her. So he chokes her and she see's him as just another dominating force in her life. Thus she seeks to destroy him.

[@RenateFarida]

no they are not the same (as she confirms at the end), because: she tries to apologize with the girl that she had hurt. She kills him in order to save young girls, because she did not believe him that it "was over", and also in order to save others from herself, as she knows her potential, too. But she is capable to feel sorry.Nnot him. Please get informed about the brain of killers or even of psychopaths (soziopaths). There is a big difference. She is capable to cry - not him.

[@siena88]

Saw it at a Q&A with the director at the Broadway Cinema, Nottingham. Definitely worth seeing.

[@D34DParadise]

I love that cinema!

[@novocaneboy]

glad i watched this review AFTER watching the film. great fun

[@1976LFonseca]

My take of his “confession” at the restaurant was, him telling her what she wanted to hear. I saw the car crash as a self punishment.

[@Danguardace17]

Fantastic film really enjoyed this, as Mark says the two central performances are fantastic.

[@magdalenakrol9653]

Brilliant movie with flawless performances. Probably the best I've seen this year. If I had to find one scratch, it would be the ending. I wish they left us without the answer.

[@glyph2011]

Wow. Great review! Lets book tickets!.... oh. Nothing in Wales. :-(. Ah well.

[@rupeoverlay3153]

This was good. Bleak, twisted and oddly funny in places too.

[@amyclarke41]

it looks brill

[@DreamingCatStudio]

Great review! I loved the movie too.

[@KceeKit]

This was really good! Thanks for the review sub/thumbs up!

[@jamesmurphy2803]

love this..though beg to differ on 'tom hiddleston, huge international star' ;)

[@LiliWhiteWorld]

Loved the movie (except for the scene with the rabbit). Did not guess the ending, but it was a good one!

[@lynette599]

The rabbit-scene made up my mind for me.....and I knew.

[@domlikatrichkova5285]

And in the end - he was a killer,right?

[@priscillad8]

Still wanna know

[@thomashernandez8700]

But WHO was the serial killer? Her or Pascal?

[@girlafraid4045]

good question. just watched and now trying fig. out. i think it was her. w/ all the flashbacks, slide door open, etc.. then her rolling up the girls dress and hiding it was the deal breaker for me. IF it came from her bag (and not his lol)

[@chizzieshark]

*SPOILERS* In my view, both Molly and Pascal are the Beast but with a difference: remorse. Both of them have intentionally hurt people in the past and lied to others; both feel like outcasts; both are psychologically disturbed; both have violent tendencies. The difference is that Molly feels guilty about attacking the girl at school and about killing the rabbit, she feels physically sick when recalling photos of the dead girl; she attempts to empathise with the dead girl by stuffing her mouth full of dirt. Whereas Pascal shows no such remorse, he even wants to torture the rabbit. When Molly lied about the context of her violence, she was also lying to herself to the point where she believed she acted in "self-defence"; Pascal on the other hand consciously lied to everyone, including Molly. When Molly tells Pascal that they are "the same", in a way, they are - but not in the way Pascal thinks.

[@RenateFarida]

Thanks! he is the psychopath - she is the borderline personality. This matches. Believe me. And she notices in the restaurant scene that they are NOT THE SAME. Because he feels no pity.

[@lkae4]

Key line was when he said, "They meant nothing to me." That's what cheaters say and she caught on right away that he wasn't going to be honest with her. As far as the eating the soil part, it's actually a common symptom in mental illness. Beyond that, it may be symbolic of her embracing and consuming nature. But I believe empathy is a complete myth that is harming relationships, harming our understanding of self and emotion and helping to destroy civilization so that's just my take.

[@isabellamorris7902]

I LOVED THIS FILM. This is the exactly the sort of film I want to write.

[@nomadchad5733]

Do it!

[@RenateFarida]

Please do! and pleae give me notice when done :-)

[@Nightdreams22]

This has been my favourite film in years. It's the only trailer to give me an indication of plot and tone without giving away anything. The performances were amazing. I didn't anticipate any of the brilliant twists. I gasped. I was leaning out of my seat. It was brilliant. Thank you for your review - it pushed me to go and see it and I'm so happy I did.

[@irinaibragimova2991]

Is it possible that Pascal didn't kill those girls, but only said that Moll was expecting to hear from him? it seems illogical, but when I watched the movie for the first time it seemed to me.

[@catherinemarcha-bisson7507]

Yes fully agree with this perception

[@haroldbrown893]

I know

[@priscillad8]

many people asked the same, I have this doubt

[@lolah3838]

I thought the same

[@Cuttersway]

This film was excellent. Very thought provoking, and disturbing.

[@MariamShaalan]

I think she is the beast. That hair on her neck is supposed to be an indication. I also liked how in the beginning she wounded herself with the glass, and the end scene was them lying and dying in glass. It was like her weapon of choice, haha, how one small thing on the surface is actually an explosion on the inside, which soon surfaces, too. Like the transformation in beauty and the beast but in reverse.

[@petersvillage7447]

Mariam Shaalan - For what it's worth, that's how I felt about it - we've discovered throughout the story that she's got a capacity for violence, that she's somebody who can be frightening and dangerous; at the end of the story she seems to have rather embraced and accepted that about herself, and wanders off, the beast finally free of the cage. If you've not already read it, you might like Angela Carter's short story 'The Tyger's Bride', which retells Beauty in the Beast with very much the accent you allude to in your post.

[@asideofaioli4630]

I personally don't think she's the beast. Anyway, random facial hairs in dreams can symbolize internal conflict, conflict to come, mental strife, not fitting in or being accepted, etc, so that was my thought for Moll's neck hairs. I also read a review that noted that hair as possibly symbolizing impulses coexisting within the confines of a home requiring conformity. So I'm leaning towards either of those interpretations. But yeah, she didn't die at the end though.

[@naimahq8739]

Well written. I love the symbolism of the glass also. The shard she cuts herself with in the beginning as she bleeds, repressing her anger, she begins to unravel (again). The end tiny pieces of glass surround her as she… SPOILER ALERT: kills who she believes to be the actual killer. All those tiny pieces of glass surrounding her are like the parts of her that have come out and are no longer repressed as she becomes THE BEAST herself.

[@elool9435]

@@asideofaioli4630 what about the sex scene? Does it symbolise smth?

[@heilo263]

They're both beasts; she's just not the same kind of beast he is.

[@davidsteel8324]

Saw it tonight. An excellent film. So very dark.

[@soniandukwe8981]

I still don’t know who the beast is and who killed those girls

[@tracys169]

Did you or did you not watch the movie? Because it's pretty clear who did it.

[@thelucieflower317]

@@phiane2451 the beast is our animal nature. It exists in all of us.

[@priscillad8]

@@tracys169 its not clear

[@t7m5]

Pascal is the killer

[@luisa.belmares5716]

For me, If the movie had ended without the scene on the road it would have been perfect.

[@RenateFarida]

As such, there would have been missing the key.

[@the_videomatic]

Saw it yesterday at a sneak preview. Absolutely brilliant. Don't read anything about it and just see it.

[@BoysOnFilm]

I saw this at the press screening in London recently and thought it was superb. Refreshing, intriguing and brilliantly directed. There are some really memorable moments that stay with you, especially the closing moment.

[@toperic02]

The closing moment was when it erred by passing into cliche.

[@melnjada2]

That ending scene creeped me out so much!!

[@nickacton9075]

Finally got to see it. Fascinating premise, believable characterisation, superb writing and direction & the sound design has a character all of its own. Gritty, gripping, disturbing and unrelenting - it's not an easy watch but you can't avert your eyes for a moment. Films of this quality and originality are rare indeed, Beast is nothing short of a masterpiece.

[@RenateFarida]

Masterpiece is right!

[@phunkysuzie]

What ^^^ he said... Great review, the female actress is amazing, I can't wait to see her in more films. I was hooked from the beginning all the way till the end, darkness throughout and unexpected ending.

[@phelimmckeown1816]

She's from Co. Kerry in Ireland

[@BlueKephra]

"Beast" refers to The Beast Of Jersey, as well as all the other things you mentioned. After seeing this film, I realised that it was most resonant of a film called Mademoiselle, which has a very similar intensity in the central relationship

[@RenateFarida]

ah sounds interesting - was it a French film? I need to look it up. Thanks!

[@jr002q2044]

Seen this yesterday. It's like anti-Holiwood as in it doesn't set out to be a people pleaser. I thought it was brilliant! A bit psychotic but that's what I like:) Loved Mol!

[@kornavt]

what did he say at the dinner table that made her want to what she did in the end?i missed that part

[@jr002q2044]

He said 'They meant nothing to me'.

[@vivienclogger]

jr002q2044 saw this instead of Infinity Wars. Am finally becoming an adult....😏

[@jr002q2044]

sweet, hope ya enjoyed it:) Infinity Wars is supposed to be class as well!

[@musicmann1967]

Saw this today. Absolutely loved it. Very tense and nerve wracking!

[@unturnthisstone]

Incredible film but not a good title - if you search for it, you just find Beauty & the Beast films: the title has lost THIS film some valuable exposure. Also, it ends rather abruptly as though there's a missing final scene. Also, I thought it rather unlikely they left their chips uneaten especially if they're both "beasts"! Otherwise...it was brilliant.

[@nickacton9075]

Very excited to see this. My partner went to a Q&A with the director at Google HQ recently and said I HAD to see this film. I was initially sceptical but having seen the clip and the good doctor's review, I am inclined to agree. Btw, I think it was Bitter Moon, Mark. Or was it Sirens? Not that Hugh Grant has in any way ever given tonally similar performances before.

[@pemayb9134]

I just watched this movie today and wow...i was blown away! A beautiful gem of a movie. Great watch and the actors were amazing...Johnny and Jessie, i was rooting for them till the end.

[@laurakennedy9250]

I think people are making this out to be more complicated than it really is. Moll is obviously not the murderer because the girls had been raped. She suspected Pascal of being the killer because he was choking her very aggressively, the same method in which the girls had been killed. At the restaurant she was feigning her acceptance of his being a murderer because she wanted to know for certain whether he had done it or not. She killed him at the end because he had destroyed her life, her relationships and also her sanity.

[@priscillad8]

But the fact that he said that just to say what she wanted to hear

[@susannabonke8552]

Creepy Mom.

[@EleanorDaniels]

So excited to see this film

[@patrick2140]

I saw it at Leeds Film Festival. It's a great film.

[@Burggartenjunge]

no one is the beast... the soundtrack is

[@davidfitcher2953]

Moll is the beast

[@quietplace85]

Great movie, love it!

[@bazzoman510]

Interesting film,really enjoyed it.The symbolism was a bit heavy handed in places but on the whole it's a brave bold movie.

[@RenateFarida]

okay - I will clear this up: she is quite classical Borderline personnality and he is the quite classical Psychopath. This matches. And believe me: I know both personalities from my own life. I could just name several examples of persons and relationships ... no problem. Whereas Psychopath does not mean that this person is a killer. Of course not. There are many quite disciplined persons with partly psychopathic (or soziopathic) structure, who lead a normal life ;-) I have gone into this matter from very young...

[@hermanblume275]

Brilliant film. Cheers!

[@klmartini906]

Wow I was mesmerized by this twisted love story..These two actors were incredible. However I have to say the last fifteen minutes ..let this deserving film down. I wanted so much more for these characters.

[@tomhomer9924]

Can you elaborate?

[@aygie]

Amazing and so happy for Michael

[@Luvie1980]

Looks good

[@RenateFarida]

I can tell you that I am totally addict to this film. I have watched the best movies last century and do not watch any more films ... basically ... but I came to this film occasionally, it was shown on TV last Monday. In the last 6 days I watched it 4 times in German, one time in English, and there will follow some more in English. Every time I watch it, I capture new details or symbolism. The characters are quite clear to me. I like the atmosphere, the actors are extremely good, the cam is brilliant, the idea, story and letting this movie grow throughout 7 years in order to get it all quite right, all this is so congenious - I do not know what comes after this movie ... I already convinced 3 persons to watch this film, too, so that I can talk with them about it :-))) and I will go on ... on difference: she suffers, he does not.

[@YouTubeUserID]

I just saw the Beast movie tonight on Tubi. It was very good. I admire your appreciation for this film. I just wanted to share that with you.

[@RenateFarida]

@@KZbinUserID Thanks for understanding!

[@baba3604]

Reminded me of Hitchcock e.g. Shadow of a doubt, Suspicion, but there was much more about it. I really liked it. Wish there would be more films like this nowadays.

[@baba3604]

It also had some nice tracking shots in it.

[@Burggartenjunge]

that soundtrack is like a nightmare

[@lovepet4565]

I love her!!

[@sigcane8548]

Just saw it, it was amazing

[@joy159_3]

What happens at the end?

[@samspade5824]

Jessie Buckley is from Co. Kerry Ireland believe it or not.

[@gandalfstormcrow7943]

No. I’m sorry but I don’t believe it.

[@kikibooboos]

Yeah she's from Kerry. Believe it!

[@King_kenny73]

She's actually from Co Cork

[@amasulem]

I can guess the denouement already.

[@amasulem]

Still intriguing tho. Epic acting from that one scene alone.

[@ValveSpecial]

It's a long time since I've seen a movie with so much unintentional hilarity. The overblown melodrama and subtle as a brick characterisation work well as comedy but rather distract from the intended ambiguity and supposedly serious plot.

[@maggielarkin9314]

Shut up

[@Onmysheet]

I really wanted to like this film, liked the cinematography but I just found it boring, as the acting/screenplay/directing was too wooden to grab me further.

[@chocolatewolfe]

It does seem unnatural and forced, perhaps too serious.

[@grazieperdone4959]

Are you kidding me?

[@maggielarkin9314]

Keep taking the meds

[@Onmysheet]

@@maggielarkin9314 I stand by my view. It wasn't well written.

[@flandersucks]

I’m halfway through it right now. I think it’s the brother.