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Mystery horror film

Dawn of the Beast (2021): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Dawn of the Beast (2021) movie poster

Dawn of the Beast is a 2021 mystery horror film directed by Bruce Wemple, starring Adrian Burke as Chris, Ariella Mastroianni and Chris Cimperman. It runs 1 hour 23 minutes. Its Echo Score is 62/100.

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Dawn of the Beast (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 23m (83 min)
Director
Bruce Wemple
Genres
Horror , Mystery
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Dawn of the Beast About?

The premise of Dawn of the Beast without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Seeking to confirm the existence of Bigfoot, a team of graduate students journeys into a remote region of the Northeastern wilderness, a place known for unexplained creature sightings. However, their search uncovers a far more terrifying presence: the Wendigo, an ancient and malevolent spirit. Once the Wendigo senses their intrusion, it relentlessly hunts them. Now, the students must fight for survival against both Bigfoot and the terrifying power of the Wendigo in a desperate battle for their lives.

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Cast & crew

Dawn of the Beast Cast & Characters

Adrian Burke leads the cast as Chris, with Ariella Mastroianni as Isabella and Chris Cimperman as Jake. Directed by Bruce Wemple; 11 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Dawn of the Beast

· 7 more
From the director

More from Bruce Wemple

More films directed by Bruce Wemple, best-rated first: The Tomorrow Job, The Hangman, The North Witch and Island Escape.

Full filmography
Ratings

Dawn of the Beast Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 62/100, strongest in art & craft (72) and weakest in story & flow (48).

62 /100

Dawn of the Beast Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Dawn of the Beast delivers a modestly entertaining experience that appeals to fans of low‑budget creature features, yet its execution is uneven. Reviewers highlight moments of fun, decent practical effects, and occasional effective cinematography, but criticize the tangled plot, inconsistent pacing, and uneven performances. The film manages to hold attention for a casual viewing, especially in a group setting, but it lacks the cohesion and depth needed for lasting impact. Consequently, its appeal remains limited to niche audiences seeking light horror amusement.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 72

    In terms of art and craft, the film shows competent cinematography and practical effects despite budget constraints. Reviewers note a visually engaging opening, solid make‑up work for the monsters, and moments of effective color palette. However, some find the camerawork distracting and the editing uneven, which detracts from immersion. Overall, the visual presentation is above average for a B‑movie, offering enough style to compensate for limited resources.

  • Character & Emotion 58

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances are mixed, ranging from wooden and mediocre to mildly engaging as the story progresses. Some reviewers appreciate a few character arcs and occasional chemistry, while others cite shallow dialogue and lack of depth that prevents audience investment. The limited development of protagonists and uneven acting keep the emotional resonance modest, resulting in a middle‑range assessment of the character work.

  • Story & Flow 48

    Story and flow constitute the film's weaker pillar, with many reviewers pointing to a crowded, confusing narrative. The plot juggles multiple monsters, sub‑plots, and genre shifts, leading to a chaotic pacing that hampers coherence. While a few find the premise enjoyable, the overall consensus is that the script is simplistic and overly ambitious for its runtime, leaving the storyline under‑cooked and less compelling.

  • Sensory Experience 62

    Sensory experience receives a tentative commendation due to an upbeat soundtrack in the climax and competent sound design that supports tension. Some critics note overuse of a depressive score that becomes irritating, yet the visual style, including effective creature design and occasional atmospheric lighting, is praised. The mixed feedback balances out to a slightly above‑average sensory rating.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    Rewatch factor is modest; the film is deemed suitable for casual group viewings and occasional novelty value. Positive remarks cite its fun B‑movie charm and potential as a party watch, while negative comments stress its forgettable nature and lack of lasting appeal. This duality results in a middling rewatch rating, indicating limited but occasional repeat interest.

Plot

Dawn of the Beast Plot Summary

What happens in Dawn of the Beast from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film opens in a quiet forest where a couple shares a tense moment before the woman is given a green-stone necklace by her partner; shortly after, she is mysteriously killed, setting a foreboding mood that lingers through the opening scene.

Years later, a group of graduate students—Chris [Adrian Burke], Isabella [Ariella Mastroianni], Jake [Chris Cimperman], Lilly [Anna Shields], and Oz [LeJon Woods]—head into the Northeastern wilderness with their professor, Dr. Dennis Kasdan [Willard Morgan], to look for evidence of Bigfoot during Dead Month, a notorious window for strange sightings and unexplained disappearances. Along the rugged trail, the team’s dynamics drift between curiosity and caution as the harsh environment tests their resolve.

Full summary

The whole story of Dawn of the Beast, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Dawn of the Beast Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Dawn of the Beast.

Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Dawn of the Beast?

9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 9

  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

What object does the opening couple exchange in the forest?

Details

Dawn of the Beast Also Known As

4 alternative titles, including “Рассвет зверя” and “Пробуждение зверя”.

Also known as
  • Рассвет зверя
  • Пробуждение зверя
  • 野兽的黎明
  • 猩紅黎明

Seen Dawn of the Beast?

FAQ

Dawn of the Beast FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Dawn of the Beast, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Dawn of the Beast?

Dawn of the Beast runs 1 hour 23 minutes (83 minutes).

When was Dawn of the Beast released?

Dawn of the Beast was released on April 6, 2021.

Who directed Dawn of the Beast?

Dawn of the Beast was directed by Bruce Wemple.

More films by Bruce Wemple

Who is in the cast of Dawn of the Beast?

Dawn of the Beast stars Adrian Burke as Chris, Ariella Mastroianni as Isabella and Chris Cimperman as Jake, among 11 credited actors.

Does Dawn of the Beast have a post-credit scene?

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

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