This 2022 Thriller Pits Idris Elba vs. a Killer Lion in a Safari Gone Terribly Wrong

by

If you’ve never given much thought to being pursued by a massive, lion-like creature with an aversion to humans as a horror scenario, then the film “Beast” (airing and streaming on SYFY this month) could potentially carve out new, unsettling ground in your mind.

2022’s nature-thriller, titled “The Lion’s Vengeance,” features Idris Elba as a solitary father embarking on a peaceful safari escape that unexpectedly turns treacherous. The movie delves into the ominous aspects of the animal world, where the menacing lion antagonist is not just a brutal predator, but a cunning entity with an unsettling intelligence – an intelligence that seems to bear a chilling grudge against humans in a way that is eerily reminiscent of human vengeance.

For More on SYFY 

1. Here’s What You Need to Know About SYFY’s Upcoming Show Reboot: Plot Points, Debut Date, Actors and Beyond

(Original Everything to Know About SYFY’s New Series Revival: Story Details, Premiere Date, Cast & More)

2. Recalling the Twilight Zone Episode that Introduced a Sci-Fi Spin on Ancient Scripture

(Original Remembering The Twilight Zone Episode That Put a Sci-Fi Twist on the Old Testament)

3. SYFY Announces 2025-2026 Program Lineup for Original Series: Revival, Resident Alien, The Ark and More

(Original SYFY Sets 2025-2026 Original Series Slate: Revival, Resident Alien, The Ark & More)

The lion never sleeps in Idris Elba’s Beast jungle adventure

about:blank

In the movie “Beast“, Elba takes on the role of Nate Samuels, a grieving doctor who is struggling to cope after cancer took his estranged wife. Now left to raise their two daughters, played by Iyana Halley and Leah Sava Jeffries, he finds himself grappling with his new life as a widower. Many family connections are unresolved and still painful for him.

Nate, along with his wife and emotionally troubled children, plans a family trip to South Africa, which he hopes will serve as a healing experience for them all. However, their journey takes an unexpected turn when they embark on a safari with Martin Battles, an old family friend and local biologist, who seems to disrupt the peaceful vacation rather than contribute to its therapeutic effects.

Martin and Nate visited a nearby village to catch up with friends, only to discover it devastated by what appeared to be a ferocious beast attack. However, the carcasses didn’t suggest starvation as the cause; instead, they pointed towards a rogue lion driven by hostility rather than hunger. This lion seems to harbor a grudge against humans in particular – possibly due to an increase in poaching incidents that resulted in the loss of his pride.

In the film ‘Beast’, the initial setup effectively propels the narrative forward as Idris Elba’s initially subdued M.D. character evolves into one focused on protection and raw survival. As Uncle Martin puts it, “This is the law of the jungle; it’s the only rule that counts out here.” By the brutal end of the movie, Nate and his close-knit family learn this harsh reality directly.

Apart from impressive overall performances, what truly sets Beast apart is the seamless integration of the animals within the movie’s backdrop. The film doesn’t hesitate to display its primary feline antagonist through extended action sequences, where the lion is shown in full-on (if I may say so) ferocious behavior – a remarkable feat of CGI realism, achieved by VFX studios Framestore and BlackGinger from South Africa.

In the filming of the thrilling wrestling scenes between Elba and the lion, no real animals were involved, but the visuals are convincing enough to leave an impression. This is particularly true after the brave Martin encounters a predicament reminiscent of a smart creature in “Jurassic Park”, a scene often referred to as the “clever girl” moment. Director Baltasar Kormákur (of “2 Guns” and “Everest”) skillfully creates a lean, chilling survival horror snapshot with authentic acting from its limited cast. This intense tale might make you reconsider putting your hand out of the window during your next safari adventure.

Read More

2025-05-14 23:17