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Adventure thriller

Beast (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Beast (2022) movie poster

Beast is a 2022 adventure thriller directed by Baltasar Kormákur, starring Idris Elba as Dr. Nate Samuels, Iyana Halley and Leah Jeffries. It earned $59.1 million worldwide on a $36 million budget. Critics gave it 69% on Rotten Tomatoes and 54 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10.

IMDb rating
5.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
69%
worldwide gross
$59.1M
Echo Score
57
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Beast (2022) movie poster
Released
Genres
Adventure , Drama , Thriller
Original language
English
Budget
$36M
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.

A grieving widower, Dr. Nate Daniels, travels to a wildlife reserve in South Africa with his daughters, hoping to find peace amidst cherished memories. Their tranquil retreat is brutally disrupted when they encounter a powerful lion seeking retribution for past cruelty inflicted by poachers. The family finds themselves in a terrifying fight for survival against the apex predator and the harsh realities of the wilderness.

Beast Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • lion
  • survival adventure
  • south africa
  • game reserve
  • widower
  • father daughter relationship
  • lion attack
  • animal attack
  • poacher
  • survival
  • safari
  • dream
+38 more
  • teenager
  • african american
  • man versus nature
  • doctor
  • one word title
  • biologist
  • death of wife
  • loss of wife
  • singing in a car
  • exploding car
  • predator
  • sister sister relationship
  • tranquilizer dart
  • dream within a dream
  • dream within a dream within a dream
  • self sacrifice
  • running out of gas
  • human bait
  • hospital visit
  • no cell phone service
  • prologue
  • scene before opening credits
  • scene during opening credits
  • suspense
  • 2020s
  • creature feature
  • psychotronic film
  • death
  • violence
  • brutality
  • mercilessness
  • held at gunpoint
  • rescue
  • escape
  • deception
  • ambush
  • blood
  • near death experience
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Cast & crew

Beast Cast & Characters

Idris Elba leads the cast as Dr. Nate Samuels, with Iyana Halley as Meredith Samuels and Leah Jeffries as Norah Samuels. Directed by Baltasar Kormákur; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Baltasar Kormákur

More films directed by Baltasar Kormákur, best-rated first: Touch, Adrift, Everest and Jar City.

Full filmography
Ratings

Beast Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Beast 69% on Rotten Tomatoes and 54 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 57/100, strongest in art & craft (78) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).

57 /100

Beast Echo Score Breakdown

Beast delivers a brief, surface‑level adventure that leans on its sensory set‑pieces and occasional tension spikes. While the direction and long takes receive modest praise, the narrative feels predictable and the performances range from competent to forgettable. Visual effects draw mixed reactions, with some viewers noting glaring CGI flaws. The film offers momentary thrills but lacks depth or lasting appeal, resulting in a moderately enjoyable yet easily forgettable 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, the film benefits from fluid single‑shot sequences and on‑location shooting that create a vivid sense of place. Critics point out the director's willingness to experiment with longer takes, and some viewers note the effective pacing of these visuals. However, overall production design remains conventional, and the editing is largely serviceable rather than innovative. The net impression is that the technical execution is competent and occasionally impressive.

  • Character & Emotion 58

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances oscillate between adequate and underwhelming. Idris Elba’s work is described as passable, while supporting actors receive criticism for lack of depth and occasional overacting. A few reviewers acknowledge moments of genuine suspense that engage the protagonists, yet many find the emotional resonance thin. Consequently, the character work is judged as mixed, offering some engagement but falling short of compelling development.

  • Story & Flow 53

    The story and flow present a straightforward, B‑movie premise that many consider predictable and overly simple. Critics and users alike note a lack of narrative complexity and pacing that can feel slack in places. Some praise occasional tension and a basic thriller structure, but the plot’s limited originality and underdeveloped arcs limit its impact. Overall, the storytelling is viewed as functional yet unremarkable.

  • Sensory Experience 52

    Sensory experience in Beast is split between effective atmospheric shots and noticeable CGI shortcomings. Reviewers commend the use of long, prowling takes that heighten tension, yet the digital lion is frequently described as obvious and distracting. Sound design and music receive little specific commentary, implying they are competent but not standout. The combined effect yields a sensory impression that is occasionally engaging but hampered by visual effects issues.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    Rewatch factor for the film is limited, with many viewers labeling it forgettable and lacking lasting appeal. While a few find brief entertainment value in its suspense moments, the overall consensus points to a one‑time novelty rather than a repeatable experience. The combination of a thin plot, mixed performances, and uneven visual quality reduces motivation for subsequent viewings, resulting in low replay potential.

Plot

Beast Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Beast from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Poachers have recently decimated a pride of lions, but one survivor transforms into a dangerous man-eater, targeting those responsible for the killings. Enter Dr. Nate Samuels, played by Idris Elba, who is grappling with the grief of losing his wife. He decides to take a trip with his daughters, Norah and Meredith — portrayed by Leah Jeffries and Iyana Halley, respectively — to the Mopani Reserve in South Africa in hopes of reconnecting with them after a tumultuous year.

Full summary

The whole story of Beast, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Beast Box Office & Budget

Beast grossed $59.1 million worldwide on a $36 million budget, 1.6 times what it cost. $31.8 million came from the US and Canada and $27.2 million (46%) from the rest of the world.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$59.1M

1.6× its budget

US & Canada
$31.8M
International
$27.2M
Budget
$36M
US & Canada 54% Rest of the world 46%
Videos

Beast Trailers & Videos

10 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser, 4 clips, 2 featurettes and 2 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 10 videos
Official Trailer
  • Teaser Yours to Own
  • Clip He Raised Them From Cubs - Extended Preview
  • Clip Idris vs Lion
  • Clip Surviving a Killer Lion
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

Where does the majority of the film take place?

Cars

Cars in Beast

6 cars on screen, including the 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser and the 1967 Land-Rover 109'' Series IIa.

All 6 cars
  • 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser in Beast 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser Main role
  • 1967 Land-Rover 109'' Series IIa in Beast 1967 Land-Rover 109'' Series IIa Important role
  • BSA Bantam in Beast BSA Bantam Minor role
  • 1991 Land-Rover Defender 110 in Beast 1991 Land-Rover Defender 110 Minor role
Details

Beast Also Known As

23 alternative titles, including “野兽” and “Yaratık”.

Also known as
  • 野兽
  • Yaratık
  • Amor Sin Tiempo
  • La Bestia
  • A Besta
  • Звярът
  • Zvijer
  • La Beast
  • Bestia
  • Предчувствие
  • Звір
  • The Beast (La bestia)
+11 more
  • 더 비스트
  • La Bête
  • 超時空愛殺
  • La bèstia
  • Šelma
  • Peto
  • อสูรร้ายในดวงจิต
  • Το Θηρίο
  • Zver
  • けものがいる
  • החיה

Seen Beast?

FAQ

Beast FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Release Date

Release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Beast, each answered in a sentence.

When was Beast released?

Beast was released on August 19, 2022.

Who directed Beast?

Beast was directed by Baltasar Kormákur.

More films by Baltasar Kormákur

Who is in the cast of Beast?

Beast stars Idris Elba as Dr. Nate Samuels, Iyana Halley as Meredith Samuels and Leah Jeffries as Norah Samuels, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Beast make at the box office?

Beast grossed $59.1 million worldwide ($31.8 million domestic, $27.2 million international) on a budget of $36 million.

How is Beast rated?

Beast has 5.6/10 on IMDb, 69% on Rotten Tomatoes, 54 on Metacritic and 3.7/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Beast have a post-credit scene?

No. Beast has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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