Dawn of the Beast

Dawn of the Beast 2021

Directed by

Bruce Wemple

Bruce Wemple

Made by

377 Films

377 Films

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Dawn of the Beast Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Dawn of the Beast (2021). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.


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.

During the expedition they uncover a decayed skeleton wearing the same green-stone necklace from the opening scene; Isabella secretly pockets the relic, despite concerns that reporting the discovery could end their trip early and jeopardize their research.

That night, Isabella ventures out alone and encounters a terrifying creature, falling under the sway of a malevolent force that begins to possess her. At the same time, Lilly is abducted by Everett [Grant Schumacher], a man whose fixation on Bigfoot was born from a sorrowful loss years prior. He uses Lilly as bait, tying her to a tree to lure the elusive monster into the camp’s vicinity.

As the night deepens, the group finds themselves under siege by two dark forces: a menacing Bigfoot and a savage Wendigo, a malevolent spirit that preys on trespassers in its domain. The cabin becomes a battleground as the creatures strike, and the group suffers a series of gruesome deaths that claim Kasdan’s life and test the remaining researchers’ will to survive.

Chris and Lilly manage a narrow escape from the first assault. Lilly pleads with Chris to run, but he chooses to stay and search for other survivors, only to discover there are none. After a harrowing gamble, he reunites with Lilly, and together they attempt a desperate escape from the nightmare.

Their attempt to flee is cut short when Isabella, now fully possessed, confronts them in a climactic confrontation. A fiery explosion erupts, seemingly killing Isabella and Everett, who later reappears in a zombified state. Chris and Lilly manage to survive the ordeal, but the traumatic memories linger, leaving them visibly scarred as they try to piece together what happened in the forest.

Dawn of the Beast Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Dawn of the Beast (2021) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.


Opening forest tragedy and the cursed necklace

The film opens with a couple in the forest, where the woman receives a green-stone necklace from her boyfriend. Soon after, she is killed under mysterious circumstances, establishing a sinister, supernatural undertone for the rest of the story. The necklace's ominous symbol hints at a link to later events.

Opening scene forest

Expedition into the Northeastern wilderness

Years later, a group of graduate students—Chris, Isabella, Jake, Lilly, and Oz—along with their professor, Dr. Dennis Kasdan, depart on a field trip to find evidence of Bigfoot. They choose Dead Month, a period known for unusual sightings and unexplained disappearances, as their window for study. The team prepares for a rigorous, potentially dangerous trek into the wilderness.

Start of field trip Northeastern wilderness

Skeleton and necklace discovery

During their expedition, the group uncovers a decayed skeleton wearing the same green necklace. Isabella secretly pockets the necklace, despite concerns that reporting the find could end their trip early. The object becomes a catalyst for mounting tension within the group.

Early expedition forest clearing near camp

Nighttime encounter and possession

That night, Isabella ventures out alone and encounters a terrifying creature. The encounter triggers a malevolent force that begins to possess her. The forest becomes a place of danger and supernatural influence.

Night camp/woods

Lilly abducted by Everett

Simultaneously, Everett—a man tormented by the loss of his girlfriend—kidnaps Lilly and uses her as bait to lure the creature. He ties her to a tree, turning her into a trap in the woods. The human threat parallels the supernatural danger of the night.

Night near camp

The assault on the cabin

The night erupts as both Bigfoot and a Wendigo intrude on the cabin where the group hides. They launch a brutal assault, turning the house into a chaotic battleground. The danger escalates as several members fight for their lives.

Night cabin

Kasdan killed

During the onslaught, Professor Kasdan falls victim to the savage attack. His death epitomizes the stakes and gravity of their peril. The group is left reeling as their mentor is lost.

During attack cabin

Escape and a plea to run

Chris and Lilly manage to escape the initial assault. Lilly urges Chris to flee with her to safety, prioritizing survival. Chris, however, chooses to stay and search for other survivors, hoping for a rescue that may not come.

Shortly after the attack outside cabin / woods

No survivors found

Chris searches the surrounding wilderness for other survivors and finds none. The absence confirms they are truly on their own. He turns back toward Lilly and they prepare to escape together.

Moments after his search wilderness

The reunion and second escape attempt

Chris finally reunites with Lilly, and they make one last attempt to escape the horrors of the night together. They navigate the wrecked cabin and forest, hoping to reach safety. The bond between them strengthens in the face of overwhelming danger.

Climax cabin/forest path

Possessed Isabella attacks; explosion

Isabella, now fully possessed, ambushes the pair in a climactic confrontation. The struggle erupts into a fiery explosion that seemingly destroys Isabella. From the wreckage, Everett reappears in a zombified state, suggesting the threat is not fully vanquished.

Final confrontation cabin area

Survival and trauma

Chris and Lilly survive the ordeal, but the events leave them scarred and forever changed. They manage to escape the nightmarish wilderness, carrying the memory of what they've endured. The film ends on a note of lingering dread and unresolved tragedy.

Epilogue edge of forest

Dawn of the Beast Characters

Explore all characters from Dawn of the Beast (2021). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.


Oz (LeJon Woods)

Oz is a member of the graduate student group on the expedition into the Northeastern wilderness. He contributes to the team's dynamic and survival efforts, remaining steady as danger intensifies.

🧭 Team Player 🧰 Survivalist

Lilly (Anna Shields)

Lilly is a quick-thinking member of the expedition who prioritizes staying alive. She endures the abduction by Everett and fights to rescue herself, while trying to keep Chris focused on survival. Her bond with Chris helps them plan an escape.

🗝️ Resilient 🧭 Survivor

Isabella (Ariella Mastroianni)

Isabella secretly takes the green-stoned necklace and later becomes possessed by a malevolent force. Her possession drives the events toward confrontation with Chris and Lilly, culminating in violent outcomes.

👁️ Possessed 🗡️ Risk-Taker

Jake (Chris Cimperman)

Jake is a member of the expedition who participates in the field trip; the summary does not detail his fate, but he shares in the peril and tension of the night.

🧩 Team Member 🗺️ Curious

Chris (Adrian Burke)

Chris is a core member of the graduate group. He initially cooperates with Lilly's plan to survive, ultimately choosing to search for other survivors; he reunites with Lilly to attempt an escape.

🧭 Leader 🗺️ Survivor

Dr. Dennis Kasdan (Willard Morgan)

Professor Kasdan leads the expedition and guides the group through the wilderness. He is killed during the cabin assault by the creatures.

🎓 Professor 🧭 Mentor

Everett (Grant Schumacher)

Everett is obsessed with Bigfoot and uses Lilly as bait to lure the creature. His obsession drives dangerous actions, and he resurfaces in a zombified state after the night's carnage.

🏹 Obsession 🧟 Villain

The Creature (John Mac Schnurr)

The Creature represents the Bigfoot-like threat that stalks the group during the night, contributing to the escalating fear and attacks.

🐾 Monster 🧭 Threat

The Squatch (Shawn Maloy)

The Squatch is another beast encountered by the group, adding to the horror as the night unfolds.

👣 Creature 🗡️ Threat

Dawn of the Beast Settings

Learn where and when Dawn of the Beast (2021) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.


Time period

Contemporary

The narrative unfolds in the present day. It begins with a prologue showing a couple in the forest, then jumps years forward to a field expedition by graduate students and their professor. The expedition takes place during Dead Month, a period infamous for sightings and disappearances in the Northeastern wilderness.

Location

Northeastern wilderness, remote cabin in the woods

Set in a remote Northeastern wilderness, the group bases itself at a cabin deep in the forest during Dead Month. The terrain is dense and inhospitable, creating a claustrophobic backdrop for the horror. The area carries legends of Bigfoot and unexplained disappearances tied to the Dead Month phenomena.

🌲 Forest 🏔 Wilderness 🧭 Remote

Dawn of the Beast Themes

Discover the main themes in Dawn of the Beast (2021). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.


🧭

Survival

Isolated in the remote forest, the group must rely on limited resources and each other to survive the escalating attacks from both the Bigfoot-like creature and the Wendigo. The tense environment tests their endurance, wits, and willingness to split up or stay together. The threats press in from the dark, making safety a constant concern.

🎯

Obsession

Everett's fixation on Bigfoot drives him to manipulate the situation and use Lilly as bait. His obsession blurs moral boundaries as the pursuit of a legendary creature overshadows care for the group. The film explores how fixation can push people toward dangerous, reckless choices.

👁️

Possession

Isabella's possession marks a supernatural turn, turning a curious discovery into a terrifying force. A malevolent entity takes hold after she takes the green-stoned necklace, spreading fear through the group. The subsequent confrontations reveal how possession can erode trust and drive violence.

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Dawn of the Beast Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of Dawn of the Beast (2021). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.


In the isolated, mist‑shrouded woods of the Northeastern wilderness, an age‑old legend whispers through the pines: something massive, intelligent, and elusive roams the forest. The region, marked by inexplicable sightings and a reputation for “Dead Month,” provides a perfect backdrop for a rag‑tag expedition that blends academic curiosity with the primal thrill of hunting the unknown. The film’s tone is equal parts eerie folklore and tense survival, immersing the audience in a world where the line between myth and menace feels dangerously thin.

Leading the group is Chris, a determined graduate student whose quiet resolve anchors the team. Alongside him, Isabella brings a sharp intellect and a restless curiosity, while Jake supplies a steady, pragmatic presence. Lilly offers a blend of optimism and resourcefulness, and Oz contributes a technical edge that keeps the expedition moving forward. Guiding them is Dr. Dennis Kasdan, a seasoned professor whose expertise in cryptozoology fuels the collective ambition to finally prove Bigfoot’s existence. Together, they embody a mix of scholarly ambition, youthful daring, and the subtle tensions that surface when diverse personalities converge in a high‑stakes environment.

As night falls and the forest’s shadows grow deeper, the group’s pursuit of the legendary ape‑like creature begins to stir something far older and more malevolent. The presence of the Wendigo—a dark spirit said to haunt the wilderness—lurks just beyond the tree line, its unseen gaze turning the expedition’s academic quest into a desperate test of endurance. The atmosphere swells with a palpable sense of dread, hinting that the forest may guard secrets far more terrifying than the creature they set out to find.

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