A haunting tale in the woods: ‘The Beast Within’ review

A visual feast with a familiar curse

The Beast Within is a film that captivates with its visual splendor more than its narrative depth. Directed by Alexander J. Farrell, this supernatural drama is his first foray into narrative filmmaking, and it showcases his documentary roots through its meticulous attention to detail. The film is set against the backdrop of the historic Harewood Woods and Castle in West Yorkshire, with structures dating back to the 14th century lending an air of timelessness to the story. The atmospheric cinematography by Daniel Katz further enhances this effect, creating a hauntingly beautiful landscape that feels both ancient and otherworldly.

A family bound by fear

The story revolves around a small family living in isolation, bound by a hereditary curse that has plagued them for generations. The film opens with a brief prologue hinting at this ancient affliction, before transitioning to a present-day setting that feels deliberately ambiguous, as if it could be any time within the last 50 years. The family consists of ten-year-old Willow, her mother Imogen, and her maternal grandfather Waylon. They live in a rural compound that is both aristocratic and decrepit, a fitting setting for their troubled existence.

Willow, played by Caoillinn Springall, is a sickly, asthmatic child without siblings or playmates. Her mother, Imogen, portrayed by Ashleigh Cummings, is fiercely protective, while her grandfather, played by James Cosmo, is a stern but caring presence. The household’s fourth member, Noah, is a more complex figure. Played by Kit Harington, Noah is a brash, mercurial man whose authority is both resented and feared. His frequent absences and mysterious behavior add to the family’s tension, especially when Willow discovers that he sometimes returns home in a feral state, covered in dirt and blood.

The beast within

It doesn’t take long for Willow to realize that her father is a werewolf, a “king of the woods” who runs amok with each full moon. For now, his violent urges are satiated by the unfortunate farm animals that Imogen leaves for him to ravage after shackling him in a nearby ruin. However, as Waylon ominously notes, “He’s getting worse.” The family knows that it is only a matter of time before Noah’s lycanthropic mayhem threatens them directly.

The Beast Within is a film that has been crafted with care, particularly in its design elements. From the baroque details in Russell De Rozario’s production design to the occasional traditional folk strains in Nathan Klein and Jack Halama’s original score, the film exudes a sense of eerie elegance. Katz’s widescreen cinematography delivers some truly stunning “enchanted forest” imagery, reminiscent of a Grimm fairy tale.

A tale of missed opportunities

Despite its visual and auditory strengths, the film falls short in its storytelling. The pacing and performances are competent, but the script, co-written by Farrell and Greer Taylor Ellison, lacks the substance needed to generate real suspense or empathy. The family dynamics feel somewhat artificial, with Willow’s precocious suspicions and jump-scare nightmares about her father’s nature feeling forced. Harington’s performance, while intense, might have been better suited to a simpler, more straightforward werewolf movie.

The film aspires to be a serious domestic psychological drama, but it doesn’t build enough complexity or nuance to achieve this goal. There are hints of deeper themes, such as an indictment of patriarchal toxic masculinity, but these are developed too late and too superficially to make a significant impact. Similarly, the subplot involving Willow’s dollhouse and action figures, which suggests she might be manipulating larger events, never quite comes into focus.

A polished but forgettable entry in werewolf cinema

Farrell clearly aims to create “elevated” horror, and he succeeds to some extent in terms of quality acting and visual finesse. However, the film’s ideas fall short of lifting it above ordinary genre fare, and the vivid tension and character identification needed to excel on a humbler plane never quite materialize. Within the extensive annals of werewolf cinema, The Beast Within stands as a good-looking footnote, a polished diversion that ultimately fails to leave a lasting impression.

The Beast Within is set to be released on U.S. screens on July 26. For those intrigued by the film’s premise, you can watch the trailer here.

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