THE BEAST - Movie Review

[@sirtorchington]

Just watched, this is my type of weird. I found myself aching in the final moments as well. The QR code credits honestly blew my mind a bit, simple as it is, especially with that quick mid credit scene. Watching that on my phone after the movie made me feel like I was living in the world of the film. Also love how Bertrand managed to seamlessly morph this into a horror movie in that one section, iykyk

[@ZO6Buccaneer]

Really intriguing that both The Beast and Past Lives were released in 2023, taking on an interesting premise of meeting a potential lover across multiple lives. Such different takes on it. Past Lives is clearly the more accessible version, but The Beast is likely the one I would rewatch first.

[@ernestbailey3270]

I went to a Q and A with Lea Seydoux for the film in NYC. I met her and she was very nice. The 1910 sequences were the best.

[@lorcan545]

I’m a Bonello fan, and frequently rewatch videos of music scenes/pieces from his films, as well as Q&A’s, and your Nocturama and House of Tolerance reviews were recommended to me. I responded similarly to those films, in the sense of immediately sitting up and paying attention to their uniqueness. I reviewed The Beast on Letterboxd. This is pretty much the core of what I wrote (I think the film is great and an exhilarating watch, by the way): “One part of what is moving about the film to me is simply the extent of its ambition to be original, and the sense of urgency it brings to addressing the important contemporary topic of AI.” “Given its range and extremity, it is an achievement, and a testament to Bonello's romanticism, that the film can be comprehended as being ultimately about--and indeed always focused on--the theme of love. This resonates all the more powerfully in connection with its subject matter of an emotionless AI-ruled dystopia. The will which one senses behind Bonello's unique attempt to describe and evoke love in this film is interesting to say the least. As one aspect belonging to the sense, which the film conveys, of Bonello's grand ambition to be original and urgently relevant in every possible way--goals which, for me, he delivers on as no other filmmaker has done in years--the throughline of the contemplation of love contributes to the film being a moving--as well as a sensorially and intellectually stimulating--experience.”

[@Suite_annamite]

*@**8:11**:* Speaking of the originally intended actor for the main role who died, Gaspard Ulliel was skiing, and a bunch of other skiers randomly smashed into him at lethal speeds! It was considered a great regret because both him and Léa Seydoux had a history of acting together, and this was intended to be the next film under both of their belts. While American viewers will remember him as the young "Hannibal Lecter" in "Hannibal Rising" (2007), I personally remember him as "Louis" in Christophe Gans' "Brotherhood of the Wolf" (2001) as well as in "The Sea Wall" (2008) and "To the Ends of the World", about colonial French Canada, Cambodia, and Vietnam, respectively.

[@withmeintow]

Watching the film for the second time, in the paintings scene I noticed a portrait of Gaspard Ulliel who was supposed to play the male lead. It is such a sweet move on Bonello's part❤ The film is brilliant, thanks for the review!

[@tonyforkush5437]

I just finished the second viewing on criterion. The ending was even more devastating this time. The Beast to me as a metaphor is where we have arrived in our epoch, which to someone of Bonello's generation, of which I am one, was raised with the innocence of Camelot still intact, with the intoxication and mythology of Bronte still extant. As technology exponentially advanced at such incredible speeds, the algorithm mutated out of the slime and conquered innocence. Ironically, that is not the Beast we are being shown. It is that innocence itself was and will always be prurient. Ms. Seydoux's soul shattering almost Edvard Munch moment is nothing short of this terrible revelation, which finalizes the purification and reverses itself. Quite simply one of the most horrific moments in cinema.

[@schuylersterling]

I found "THE BEAST" to be thematically similar to "Last Year at Marienbad". the subjectivity of memory, the feeling of isolation/alienation, uncertainty, and communicative breakdown. I found the multiple timelines in the film parallels the way the main characters phase through the past and present in last year at merrienbad while we experience the film as it is happening. most of the symbolism with dolls and AI reminds me of the statues and still life in last year at Marienbad. the disorientating glitches reminds me of the mise en scene elements of merrienbad. of course other influences like Lost highway, Holy Motors, or even the cell from (2000) the one with j low. My number one film of the year. loved it.

[@doublemintvariety]

Saw this in September and really enjoyed it- very memorable experience. Tempted on watching again, the 2014 sequence reminded me of Mulholland Dr in a great way.

[@darrylgreen5655]

A richly thoughtful analysis of what sounds to be an intriguing film. Describing the film's presentation analogous to mirrors placed in a room is a thought-provoking concept which adds meaningful perspective to the film. By virtue of wanting to view the film again indicates this film has genuine substance.

[@marcus_ohreallyus]

Whenever I see a challenging movie, I always come here to find out if you've seen it. And you always help me see things I may have missed.

[@joed7185]

I left the theater not really liking it, but after it sat with me I feel like I need to rewatch it again knowing the scruture of all the time lines. I watched "House of Tolerance" last night. It didn't emotional hit me, but I could respect it. I'm going to watch "Nocturama" tonight and see which of his films I like more. So far "The Beast" is my favorite.

[@b.chaline4394]

Hi Maggie, I'm French and my first name is also Bertrand, so I just wanted to tell you that your way of pronouncing it is really cute :) just felt like saying it, keep up the great work!

[@mauriceandrewsjr5929]

This was the first Bertrand movie I've ever seen, so I didn't have any context of what to expect from his style. I liked the movie and the themes it explored quite a bit. This will be off-putting for some people as it's not a movie that spoon feeds you much. Assuming Bertrand hasn't done so already, I'd love to see his take on a horror film. The sound and jumpscares in this one were impressive for a drama/thriller.

[@jameswallace756]

Saw the film today - your review pushed me over the fence to see it. Enjoyed the film. A lot to ponder and you have to watch the QR Code Credits due to a huge revelation.

[@yasielromero8236]

I daw this last night and not since I saw Villeneuve's Enemy had I felt I needed a movie explaned to me immediately after finishing it I definitely need to give it a rewatch

[@complicatedshoesproductions]

This movie was amazing. I definitely need to see this again. The tone shift in the middle was almost like a different film. It's weird, but brilliant. I was totally engaged

[@Spractral]

Where did you watch it?

[@realDialFforFilm]

I attended a Q&A screening of this film with Bertrand Bonello, and I even thanked him for his work afterward. I must say, it was helpful in putting this film into proper context. He described "The Beast" as making poetry with mathematics, which I find to be a great analogy. It seems to me like Bonello is taking his method of time manipulation and relativity to its apex with this film, where the story revolves around a literal device that travels through the past lives of its characters. I can't go as far as calling it a perfect film because not everything comes together neatly. However, there is a vision in this film that is unlike anything I've seen recently. For that, I must call it my favorite film of the year thus far.

[@ametora1231]

the theme throughout the different periods of time is that the character has an apprehension about letting another person get close to them to form an authentic and intimate relationship.

[@steve4films]

Another excellent review. Is this film just La Jetee, but much much longer and more expensive ? 🤔 For me it is less than the sum of its parts. Looked good, though. Boy, I’m such a grump today 😂

[@rambaral1698]

SPOILERS AHEAD The metaphor of dolls was so cool. It is also worth noting that the procedure is said to have not worked on Seydoux so the views to the past are seemingly accurate. The final emotive scream juxtaposed with the calmness in the face of death from the 2010’s just drives home the idea that the death of emotion, the dollification of humanity is by far the most imperative worry/fear in regards to societal progression. Really Marxian perspective with alienation from self being the final degree of alienation suffered in the movie.

[@Suite_annamite]

Since you really like *Léa Sedoux* as well as "Disney", and speaking of another film with "The Beast" ... have you finally got a chance to check her out as the titular *"Beauty and the Beast" (2014)?* Originally called "La Belle et la Bête", Christophe Gans' French production also stars Vincent Cassel as the "Beast", along with a pan-west-European cast of Spanish and German actors.

[@michaelbarrett9061]

Haven't seen it but your description reminds me of Aronofsky's The Fountain.

[@UpsonPrattJr.]

That was by far his worst movie. Did not like it.

[@sandorx4]

La Bête is a masterpiece, and the second best film of 2023.

[@elizavetafortova3415]

Agree! What is the first best movie in your opinion?

[@abhiezibran9654]

Evil does not exist

[@sandorx4]

​@@elizavetafortova3415Mal viver.

[@gourmetghost]

@@elizavetafortova3415 Monster

[@schuylersterling]

@@elizavetafortova3415 aggro dr1ft

[@twt000]

Oh the Jason Patric 1988 tank movie, it was good.

[@badinfluence3814]

It is, a great war film.

[@GizmoBeach]

George Dzundza was excellent as the antagonist. 👍

[@Spractral]

I didnt know about this; gunna watch it soon. I absolutely loved House of Tolerance but tbh didn't like Nocturama much at all. Glad you did a review or I likely wouldn't have noticed it

[@GizmoBeach]

Wouldn’t mind seeing this. Only familiar w/ one of the director’s works, but Nocturama is a fantastic film. The premise here puts me in mind of Eternal Sunshine, Cold Souls, etc.

[@michaelstreet3038]

It was damn good. The early 1900s stuff it dragged a bit. ..but then it ramped up. I was confused by the post earthquake make out change up...but the gut punch at the end was perfectly timed

[@MJGianesello]

Sweet, I've been waiting since I saw it last september at the Venice festival to hear your take on it

[@abhiezibran9654]

Evil does not exist and The Beast are two of the most fascinating cinema from last year till now.

[@Ryan-gt4vv]

Do a review of the beasts please A fantastic French/Spanish thriller that came out last year

[@GizmoBeach]

Would’ve liked it more if the time-jumps were less confusing, which gave rise to that stale trope of “fantasy or reality, past-present?” Otherwise, engaging and intense at times. This was more rewarding for me than Triangle of Sadness was, for instance.

[@mohitrawat5225]

Plzzzz review Ship of Theseus (2012, India). It's not a typical "bollywood" film but a great movie about the meaning of life. It's available free of KZbin with subtitles.

[@charlyroussel]

The movie felt like an AI wrote a love story based on world wide web information, transforming the 2014 web info about two people to multiple time periods. just felt like AI halluzinations of what the word love and the word spirit might feel/look like.

[@actionjackson999]

You’re definitely right that Bonello invoked Lynch and Cronenberg’s recent work both in his visuals and sound design, but I don’t think he ever transcended a cheap pastiche of their styles in The Beast. Seydoux did a great job but MacKay’s performance felt stiff and having him 1:1 act out Elliot Rodger’s video logs serves what purpose? The inclusion of that element shifts the focus away from the “beast” Seydoux’s character is trying to find for the whole movie and instead focuses on this weird subplot that almost asks “what if Elliot Rodger’s situation had been different”. It’s definitely commenting on the relationship between technology, isolation, and incel culture but it doesn’t do so in any meaningful way, yet by presenting it with this high-art aesthetic it tricks people into thinking it’s deeper and more worthy of rewatching than it actually is. Also why include a random clip from Harmony Korine’s Trash Humpers as a jumpscare? I liked elements of this but it came off as very sloppy to me overall.

[@lorcan545]

That the Elliot Roger material is 1:1 is definitely a crazy choice, and also something of a writing shortcut. But I think the blatantness of making the character Eliot Roger makes the film what it is, and it’s a great film. Bonello is embracing risk like he did with Nocturama, and he’s confronting reality in a greater sense than if he’d taken more effort to write the character more originally. I know this is a classic example of saying “but that was the whole point!” I agree that the film feels sloppy, but I just don’t think it’s a problem or mistake. Bonello is doing a synthesis of all of his own past films, as much as he is taking from Lynch or Cronenberg (I also see Haneke influence in The Beast). Edit: I also think the Eliot Roger storyline is just a variation on the Henry James material, rather than a distraction. In the original story, the fear of The Beast isn't as dramatic as Lea Seydoux's fear of obliteration, but is rather about anxiety and never getting life started, like the male virgin in the movie.

[@actionjackson999]

⁠@@lorcan545 I see the Haneke influence for sure, and the connection between MacKay’s incel character and The Beast in the Jungle is not lost on me. It’s just that the choice to explore these themes through his character while also swapping the genders from the original story doesn’t work. It makes Lea Seydoux’s character feel like less of a person and more of a vessel to explore themes of male loneliness, under the guise that the story is actually about her own loneliness and dread of the future. Bonello definitely took a big swing and threw a lot at the wall to modernize this story, which I do think is admirable, but it never felt greater than the sum of its parts. The segment in LA is ripped from Mulholland Drive, the ending from Twin Peaks, and the soundtrack is eerily similar to Crimes of the Future, etc. The Beast just came off as something that would seem suuuper deep to someone who isn’t familiar with the works it’s influenced by, especially considering it doesn’t have nearly as much of an emotional core as anything listed above. Also if the film is only good in a vacuum as a reflection on his past work, it doesn’t make a very strong case for why it should standalone.

[@lorcan545]

@@actionjackson999 I agree with what you're saying, that the haunted aspiring actress is a strange character without development, and the integration of multiple takes on the James story within one film (if that's how to describe what the film is doing) is confusing and makes for a bumpy ride for half the running time. I left a comment elsewhere under this video with my own response to the film. I find it emotionally engaging, which has a lot to do with seeing it as a passionate gesture in the direction of wild originality by the director, within the context of the references to AI, but also helped by the film being about love. I mention how The Beast synthesizes elements of at least all the other Bonello films I've seen not to imply that it's a point in its favour per se. I wanted to underline however how significant a filmmaker I think he is. For me, he doesn't stand in a junior position to Cronenberg, Lynch, Scorsese, or anyone.

[@justinrussell9391]

Is it like Inception

[@eljeffe1815]

because I'm a little slow, I like to watch everything at least twice as you want to to do with The Beast.

[@Spractral]

Where were you able to watch this?

[@Robertsmith-un5cu]

Always impressed with your analysis.

[@jackdavide5742]

Saw the film a few nights ago and thought it was a reworking of Blue Velvet. The connection to Velvet gives this film a fantastic comic tone in places. There's the link with Orbison (green this time), Frank Booth, the beast, but actually in the form of the pigeon.

[@NextGenStudentUC]

Is the movie in English or French?

[@WholeFnShow1]

Loved the ambition and thought-provoking nature of the movie but i feel like the strain of attempting to be too profound and pretentious held it back from really hitting the mark. Still very interesting film though.

[@AarmOZ84]

Going to have to watch this tonight for sure.

[@danielwindham2457]

I thought this was going to be a review of the 1988 Kevin Reynolds film 😂😂😂😂

[@mikesilva3868]

Great review 😊

[@egoborder3203]

I'm onboard from "Henry James"

[@VeynJaggat]

I did watch it 3 times, but i was high so i fell asleep

[@saintzeno]

I think .. a thumbnail picture at the corner would be great. (maybe a couple of secs.. at the beginning) Too many movies.. with the same title.. I guess. 🙄🙄

[@cerisejones8061]

The beast of war i thought you were reviewing u should try play clips from the trailer or post the year of the film.

[@paulallenk4830]

Newcomer to your channel. Why do you sit on floor in every video ? Have you copyrighted this position. It's weird. That's all.

[@Wetcamerainc]

Shouldnt have watched the trailer 😅

[@RawBogan]

Congrats on the 666 vids!!! 👹

[@ryanrudolph5667]

Mad bisexual energy in this review. Always fun to see Maggie simping over Seydoux.

[@stealthbastard8837]

You're a beauty

[@mordreddelavirac]

I love you!

[@herbertbaker9522]

👍🏿👍🏿

[@brucefurlong9804]

When you order David Lynch from Temu. Accept no substitute. Apparently people are under the spell of their own bias because this thing was a pile of garbaggio.

[@bryce3066]

first

[@chucknorris8704]

THats not how you pronounce his name

[@appearnowappearlater]

Make a video and tell us chuck 🙄

[@stable-shadow]

Thanks Chuck! I loved you in Lone Wolf McQuaid, so awesome how you jumped that convertible Bronco 4x4 truck out of that grave..... and Haley Jo Osman loves your tears as they cured his aids... ripping! I don't think her pronunciation is at the top of her priorities, she's trying to exorcise the word very from her dialogue and I think she finally achieved that in this review....yep yep 🕊️

[@gwolks1008]

It is rather close to how his name is pronounced, assuming one's American and not French-speaking. She made no grotesque mistake nor one that'll make your ears bleed.

[@stable-shadow]

@@gwolks1008 I can hear the sucking sound, oh you are not fooling anyone, you have brown on your nose..... You flirting with yourself again?

[@Starkardur]

Close enough. Aside from an accent point of view, she didn't pronounce it incorrectly. I go by how he pronounced his name in the criterion closet video.

[@scottsharp1763]

It looks almost unwatchable from the trailer, like most “movies” absolute garbage imo….

[@angelthman1659]

A movie should work on one viewing, not take multiple viewings for it to make sense. If I have to watch it three times to enjoy it I already know it's not a good film.

[@MJGianesello]

That's such a lowball notion

[@plateoshrimp9685]

I feel like you're conflating a few things here. I don't think "Does it work", "do I enjoy it", and "does it make sense" are the same thing. A movie can work, in the sense that it expresses what it was intended to express, but I might not enjoy it. I might enjoy a movie, but not feel like I totally understand it. A movie can make sense, but not be enjoyable or successful. I definitely want to enjoy a movie on the first watch. I won't watch it again if I don't. But I'm fine with feeling like maybe I need to see it again to fully understand what it's trying to say about the themes it's talking about.

[@doublemintvariety]

this movie was good on one viewing

[@rics1883]

Dude you then must not have liked Tar, if not then you are missing out on one of the best movies of all times

[@ExpertContrarian]

@@MJGianesello it’s an objective truth

[@stable-shadow]

Nice baby, your use of language on this one was like word salad ASMR, but mad props it was beautiful.....and clearly minus the demonic "very" that lapse lusts us into some weird World of menagerie and too short cut off jeans.......Canadian Woman at one point really loved American Men, not so much any more.........that and Magnolia wallpaper....love it! 🕊️

[@M.H.I.A.F.T.]

What the fuck are you talking about? The only word-salad here is your bizarre schizophrenic comment.

[@ExpertContrarian]

You need a padded cell

[@stable-shadow]

@@ExpertContrarian Awe, you are sweet! Are you flirting with me? I don't have to many requirements, can you self sucky? If so you get my vote! Contrary to popular belief, I don't mean to impose, but I am the Ocean. Be Well 🕊️

[@stable-shadow]

@@ExpertContrarian You are my Hero, wise beyond those at least in Middle school, even though you got no school, you are street wise, like which dumpsters to eat out of, and where to score the best ice, and lastly the best prison style grilled cheese by some greaser with a permed mullet no doubt named Ricky Bobby or Lantie two stroke..... you are the Best! Fantastic in all esoteric and deniable ways! Showroom.... 🕊️

[@ExpertContrarian]

@@stable-shadowI’ve noticed that nonsensical capitalization is a symptom of mental instability.

[@Kpopforlife1995]

This movie suckkkkkkssss

[@ZO6Buccaneer]

Really intriguing that both The Beast and Past Lives were released in 2023, taking on an interesting premise of meeting a potential lover across multiple lives. Such different takes on it. Past Lives is clearly the more accessible version, but The Beast is likely the one I would rewatch first.