Dawn of the Beast (2021): Cast, Ratings & Plot
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 23m (83 min)
- Director
- Bruce Wemple
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- 377 Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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.
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.
- Director Bruce Wemple
- Adrian Burke as Chris
- Ariella Mastroianni as Isabella
- Chris Cimperman as Jake
- Anna Shields as Lilly
Also Starring in Dawn of the Beast
· 7 more- LeJon Woods Oz
- Willard Morgan Dr. Dennis Kasdan
- Grant Schumacher Everett
- Francesca Anderson Marie
- Roger M. Mayer Cashier
- John Mac Schnurr The Creature
- Shawn Maloy The Squatch
More from Bruce Wemple
More films directed by Bruce Wemple, best-rated first: The Tomorrow Job, The Hangman, The North Witch and Island Escape.
Dawn of the Beast Reviews & Ratings
Our Echo Score gives it 62/100, strongest in art & craft (72) and weakest in story & flow (48).
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.
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
Dawn of the Beast Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Dawn of the Beast.
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
- 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
What object does the opening couple exchange in the forest?
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?
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.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
