Beast (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
Beast is a 2018 drama directed by Michael Pearce, starring Jessie Buckley as Moll, Johnny Flynn and Trystan Gravelle. It runs 1 hour 47 minutes and earned $1.7 million worldwide. Critics gave it 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Stream it on Fandango at Home Free and Kanopy, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 47m (107 min)
- Director
- Michael Pearce
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Roadside Attractions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Beast About?
The premise of Beast without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
On a secluded island, a young woman named Moll feels trapped by her family’s expectations. Her life changes when she encounters Pascal, a captivating stranger who awakens her and inspires a passionate desire for a fresh start. As they embark on a journey together, their relationship intensifies, but Pascal soon becomes the main suspect in a series of disturbing murders. Torn between her feelings and the danger he represents, Moll must decide whether to protect him or distance herself from the escalating threat.
Beast Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- island
- serial killer
- suspicion
- birthday
- beach
- mother daughter conflict
- sister sister relationship
- isolated community
- nightclub
- police
- nightmare
- redhead
+38 more Show fewer
- loner
- misfit
- gothic romance
- psychological thriller
- woman strangles a man
- brief topless female nudity
- hunting
- yellow dress
- choir
- singing
- voice over narration
- birthday party
- mother daughter relationship
- blood
- rifle
- guided tour
- kiss
- killing a rabbit
- police custody
- vomiting
- journalist
- dream sequence
- dark past
- underwater scene
- car accident
- outsider
- jersey
- dark secret
- poacher
- love interest
- air rifle
- boyfriend girlfriend relationship
- domineering mother
- tour bus
- rabbit hunting
- sex in a car
- outdoor sex
- sex scene
Where to Watch Beast
Stream it on Fandango at Home Free and Kanopy, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 9
Beast Cast & Characters
Jessie Buckley leads the cast as Moll, with Johnny Flynn as Pascal Renouf and Trystan Gravelle as Clifford. Directed by Michael Pearce; 12 actors are credited in all.
- Director Michael Pearce
-
Jessie Buckley as Moll -
Johnny Flynn as Pascal Renouf - Trystan Gravelle as Clifford
-
Geraldine James as Hilary Huntington
Also Starring in Beast
· 8 more- Emily Taaffe Tamara
- Olwen Fouere
- Tim Woodward Fletcher
- Oliver Maltman Harrison
- Shannon Tarbet Polly
- Hattie Gotobed Jade
- Claire Rafferty News Reporter
- Charley Palmer Merkell
Beast Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Beast 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in character & emotion (88) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).
Beast Echo Score Breakdown
Beast delivers a measured psychological thriller anchored by strong performances and striking visual composition. The film’s deliberate pacing and cryptic narrative sustain tension, though the rhythm occasionally falters en route to an anticlimactic finale. Its thematic exploration of class and inner turmoil enriches the drama without overwhelming its suspenseful core. Overall, Beast balances atmospheric craft with compelling character work for a rewarding if uneven experience.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 78
In terms of art and craft, Beast presents immaculate framing and a cohesive production design that foster its uneasy atmosphere. The cinematography often achieves a chilling elegance, though the directorial pacing shows occasional unevenness, particularly around the surprise ending. Editing choices maintain suspense but sometimes disrupt rhythm. Altogether, the film’s visual and technical execution is impressive despite minor lapses in tonal consistency.
- Character & Emotion 88
When it comes to character and emotion, Beast is buoyed by nuanced performances, especially from its lead duo. The relationship’s evolving malice and contrition create genuine tension, and Moll’s emotional arc resonates through subtle shifts in expression. The supporting cast reinforces class and familial pressures with restraint. In sum, the film’s character depth and emotional chemistry stand as its most compelling asset.
- Story & Flow 68
In terms of story and flow, Beast offers an engaging mystery with clear stakes and thematic weight. The narrative remains decipherable despite graphic and unsettling moments, and the originality of its nature-versus-nurture framing adds depth. However, the deliberate pacing can feel sluggish, and the final act occasionally undercuts earlier momentum with an anticlimactic resolution. Overall, the plot maintains interest but fluctuates in its narrative propulsion.
- Sensory Experience 80
Regarding sensory experience, Beast cultivates a cohesive aural and visual landscape that underscores its tension. The score and sound design contribute an omnipresent chill, while production design and lighting choices evoke a haunting island backdrop. Dialogue delivery and ambient noise further immerse viewers in the film’s claustrophobic world. Collectively, these elements create an effective atmospheric tapestry that heightens the thriller’s impact.
- Rewatch Factor 60
In terms of rewatch factor, Beast offers moments of subtle foreshadowing and layered character interactions that may reveal new insights on repeat viewings. Its restrained approach to thriller conventions rewards attentive viewers but the heavy tone and uneven pacing may lessen appeal over time. The film’s strong central performances remain memorable, yet the anticlimactic aspects of the finale could limit its lasting replay value.
-
IMDb 6.8 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 92% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 74%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 74 Metascore
User score 7.0
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 65% User score
See on TMDB -
Movie Insider 2.6 /5
See on Movie Insider
Beast Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Beast from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Treated as delicate and troubled by her mother, Moll, portrayed by Jessie Buckley, is a 27-year-old tour guide living in the picturesque Channel Island of Jersey. She navigates the complexities of life with her controlling and wealthy parents while also taking care of her father, who suffers from dementia. The tension within the island community escalates as a series of unsolved rape/murders targeting young women casts a shadow over everyday life.
Full summary
The whole story of Beast, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Beast Box Office
Beast grossed $1.7 million worldwide. $800,365 came from the US and Canada and $943,706 (54%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$1.7M
- US & Canada
- $800.4K
- International
- $943.7K
Beast Trailers & Videos
10 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser, 2 clips and 5 featurettes.
- Trailer Official MUBI Trailer
- Teaser
- Clip Johnny Flynn & Jessie Buckley in Beast | Film4 Exclusive Clip
- Clip Jessie Buckley in Beast | film4 Exclusive Clip
How Well Do You Know Beast?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is Moll's profession?
Cars in Beast
8 cars on screen, including the Land-Rover Defender 90 and the 1991 Mercedes-Benz 190 E W201.
-
Land-Rover Defender 90 Main role -
1991 Mercedes-Benz 190 E W201 Important role -
2015 BMW 216d Active Tourer F45 Minor role -
2002 Ford Fiesta MkV Background role
Beast Also Known As
18 alternative titles, including “Animal Shadows” and “비스트”.
- Also known as
-
- Animal Shadows
- 비스트
- Canavar 2017
- Jersey Affair
- Зверь
- Звяр
- 野兽
- Pod ciemnymi gwiazdami
- A Fera
- Canavar
- Vadállat
- 野獸
+6 more Show fewer
- Κτήνος
- חיה
- Звір
- Secretos Oscuros
- Stvůra
- Besta
Seen Beast?
Movies Like Beast
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Beasts, The Beast and The Beasts.
Beast FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Beast, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Beast?
Beast runs 1 hour 47 minutes (107 minutes).
When was Beast released?
Beast was released on May 11, 2018.
Who directed Beast?
Beast was directed by Michael Pearce.
More films by Michael Pearce Who is in the cast of Beast?
Beast stars Jessie Buckley as Moll, Johnny Flynn as Pascal Renouf and Trystan Gravelle as Clifford, among 12 credited actors.
Where can I watch Beast?
In the US, Beast is streaming on Fandango at Home Free, Kanopy and Lionsgate+ and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
How much did Beast make at the box office?
Beast grossed $1.7 million worldwide ($800,365 domestic, $943,706 international).
How is Beast rated?
Beast has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, 74 on Metacritic and 65% on TMDB.
Does Beast have a post-credit scene?
No. Beast has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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