Beast (2022)

CinemaSerf August 27, 2022

★ 5/10

There are a few scenes in this that are vaguely menacing, but for the most part it is really, really poor! Idris Elba ("Nate") arrives with his daughters "Mer" (Iyana Halley) and "Norah" (Leah Jeffries) at at remote African game reserve run by his friend "Martin" (Sharlto Copley). Pretty soon we realise that the luggage they brought on the plane is but the tip of the iceberg of baggage that actually accompanied this family and we are quickly immersed in a rather unattractive melodrama surrounding his late wife who tragically passed away (hopefully before seeing this film). Anyway, they are out on a guided tour when they discover that all is not well - an huge rogue lion is out to avenge himself on humanity after a group of poachers annihilated his pride. Snacking with impunity, this lion is soon determined to make a meal of these travellers - but can they stay alive long enough for help …

Manuel São Bento September 4, 2022

★ 7/10

MORE SPOILER-FREE REVIEWS @ https://www.msbreviews.com/ "Beast is one of the most gorgeous, satisfying films of the year. The camera moves cut-free during the vast majority of scenes, depicting all the splendor of the African safari, as well as helping viewers to become invested in the character interactions in a much more captivating manner. The immersive atmosphere carries immense suspense and tension - the lion sequences are quite brutal - where Idris Elba delivers one of the most emotional performances of his career. It follows the usual formula when it comes to survival movies, and it does require some suspension of disbelief. Final remark for the convincing visual effects. Audiences won't be disappointed." Rating: B

The Movie Mob September 9, 2022

★ 6/10

**Poor effects and mediocre writing obscure Beast’s shining moments.** Beast is a decent creature movie entry with some good actors and immersive camerawork. Unfortunately, the digital effects on the lion are distracting and prevent the tension from fully building. The film was at its best when characters were frantically trying to spot the lion before it attacked, but the attacks themselves were easily survivable, making the result disappointing. The pointless family drama, weak dialogue, and far-fetched man versus lion battles prevented Beast from being as enjoyable as movies like Crawl or Deep Blue Sea.

tmdb28039023 September 13, 2022

★ 1/10

I think the key to figuring out this movie is an early scene in which one of the characters is wearing a Jurassic Park shirt. This must be the filmmakers winking their eye at the audience, letting us know that what we’re about to see is all in jest. How else to explain a film where the protagonists arrive in South Africa and immediately start bitching about the heat, but they’re all wearing jackets, and sweaters, and hoodies? More importantly, how are we to interpret a movie that introduces the issues of poaching (people who kill lions) and anti-poaching (people who kill people who kill lions, or at least that’s what Beast thinks it is), only to have the antagonist be a maneater (a lion that kills people regardless of their stance on poaching). This only perpetuates the myth that lions have never met a human they didn’t want to maul (while contributing nothing to the poach…

thecrustycurmudgeon September 23, 2022

★ 2/10

**o.m.g - one of the worst movies I've ever seen. Please don't pay to see this film!** Idris Elba is generally mediocre anyway, but he can put on an acceptable performance with a decent script and concept. Sadly, neither was available to him in this bumbling, tragic, and failed effort to create dramatic cinema. I'm amazed that anyone could create a movie based on such a predictable and often used concept and do it so badly. One poorly contrived scene after another, belief is not just suspended, but abandoned entirely to piece together a cartoonish presentation of sappy ideas and bad cgi. The script is equally dreary, simplistic, and filled with mostly predictable chatter, until it suddenly leaps off the cliff of reality and into the void of astoundingly stupid. Sadly, that happens far too often. Don't bother going to the cinema to see this. Wait a few weeks for it to get relega…

Nathan October 14, 2022

★ 7/10

_Beast_ had its moments where I was left gripping the arms of my chair at the edge of my seat, but the majority of film had me verbally laughing at the poor character writing. This movie does a lot right, don't get me wrong. The buildup to the encounter was done really well. You get a great introduction to all the characters and the individual struggles they go through due to the loss of Dr. Nate Daniels wife; it gives a baseline for the viewer to be able to relate and sympathize with the character. The action is pretty decent, and I was really impressed with the CGI work done on the lion. But, once the climax ensues the writing goes downhill, mainly in terms of character decision making. I found that the writers did not really know how to create unique situations to put the characters in with the lion, resulting in baffling decision to prolong the duration of the film. At every turn, a …

r96sk May 10, 2023

★ 6/10

'Beast' is unfortunately a bit bland. Idris Elba's performance is fine, I'm a big fan of his so naturally expected a bit more from him here if I'm honest - his American accent is a tad distracting, but that's probably just because I'm used to his usual dulcet tones. Sharlto Copley is solid, while young actors Iyana Halley and Leah Sava Jeffries are OK; though their characters are written to act in an irritating way. The film could've done with a few more curveballs, most if not all that we see is pretty predictable - and even then it's all filmed and shot in a fairly 'normal' way. In short, this 2022 release didn't quite do it for me - it isn't bad, but I personally don't think it's anything good either. I'd say the beast special effect is decent, even if it was giving me more wolf vibes than lion. The middle/end improves upon the start, though all in all it's a quintessential 6…

Marco-Hugo Landeta Vacas March 23, 2026

★ 5/10

(CASTELLANO) Ha estado bien. No inventa nada, pero tampoco creo que lo necesite. Es una de esas películas que cogen una idea muy simple —un animal convertido en máquina de matar humanos— y la exprimen con bastante oficio. En el fondo es eso: Tiburón, pero con un león cabreadísimo en vez de un tiburón, y con Idris Elba intentando sobrevivir en medio de la sabana. Lo mejor es que va bastante al grano. No se pierde demasiado en explicaciones ni en subtramas innecesarias. Plantea el peligro, mete a los personajes en la ratonera y se dedica a generar tensión con bastante eficacia. Hay momentos que son un poco absurdos, sí, pero forman parte del juego y la película más o menos sabe qué tipo de serie B quiere ser. También ayuda mucho Idris Elba. Tiene presencia de sobra para sostener una historia así, y eso hace que incluso cuando el guion se pone más básico o más inve…