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Drama

Beast (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Beast (2018) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
92%
worldwide gross
$1.7M
Echo Score
78
Beast (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 47m (107 min)
Director
Michael Pearce
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
  • 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

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.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

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.

Ratings

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).

78 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

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.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.7M

US & Canada
$800.4K
International
$943.7K
US & Canada 46% Rest of the world 54%
Videos

Beast Trailers & Videos

10 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser, 2 clips and 5 featurettes.

All 10 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official MUBI Trailer
  • Teaser
  • Clip Johnny Flynn & Jessie Buckley in Beast | Film4 Exclusive Clip
  • Clip Jessie Buckley in Beast | film4 Exclusive Clip
Quiz

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is Moll's profession?

Cars

Cars in Beast

8 cars on screen, including the Land-Rover Defender 90 and the 1991 Mercedes-Benz 190 E W201.

All 8 cars
  • Land-Rover Defender 90 in Beast Land-Rover Defender 90 Main role
  • 1991 Mercedes-Benz 190 E W201 in Beast 1991 Mercedes-Benz 190 E W201 Important role
  • 2015 BMW 216d Active Tourer F45 in Beast 2015 BMW 216d Active Tourer F45 Minor role
  • 2002 Ford Fiesta MkV in Beast 2002 Ford Fiesta MkV Background role
Details

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
  • Κτήνος
  • חיה
  • Звір
  • Secretos Oscuros
  • Stvůra
  • Besta

Seen Beast?

FAQ

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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