As a longtime horror fan with a soft spot for werewolf movies, I have seen my fair share of lycanthropic tales that have left me underwhelmed and disappointed. The genre is notoriously difficult to get right, with the creature itself often falling short of instilling genuine fear and its transformation sequences looking more comical than terrifying.
Of all the horror subgenres, the werewolf movie is perhaps the hardest to pull off.
As a fan, I’ve been following the evolution of the werewolf genre for quite some time now. There have definitely been some memorable moments that left a lasting impression on me, such as the classic “The Wolf Man,” “An American Werewolf in London,” and “The Howling.” These films transported us to another world filled with mystery and transformation.
Part of what makes the genre tough to crack is the creature itself, which never manages to scare us quite enough. This is in part due to special effects makeup and VFX that, more often than not, can look pretty ridiculous on screen. And it may also be because so many of us are dog lovers, which means watching a man-dog-thingy running around killing people doesn’t exactly terrify us.
As a gamer, I’d say: When the creators of “The Beast Within” set out to make their latest werewolf production, they knew full well the power of suspense and mystery. I, myself, was excited to see Kit Harington take on the role of a troubled werewolf. The filmmakers cleverly followed the age-old rule that less is more when it comes to monster reveals. For most of the movie, we barely catch a glimpse of the beast. And when we do finally get a peek, it’s mostly shrouded in fog and darkness. It’s an effective way to keep the terror alive in our imaginations.
A clever choice sets an ominous mood for this chilling tale, narrated from the perspective of young Willow (Caoilinn Springall), as she lives in a grand, spooky castle teeming with a menacing presence nearby.
It’s quite possible that the monster is actually Noah (Harington), whose strange transformations occur every full moon. His wife, Imogen (Cummings), tries to cope by bringing him live pigs for dinner and maintaining a safe distance from home to protect their family.
In the script penned by Farrell together with Greer Ellison, the limited setting is effectively utilized as we witness Willow’s gradual discovery of her father’s secrets. Despite being burdened with an oxygen tank due to a mysterious illness, Willow finds herself intrigued and petrified by Noah’s presence. At times, he exhibits playful demeanor, while other moments reveal his ominous side that leaves her feeling threatened.
The filmmakers intentionally leave open-ended questions about Noah’s health and Willow’s inheritance from her father. This creates an air of intrigue, yet results in fewer authentic scares. Consequently, Farrell employs some simple jump scares to provoke fear, despite the movie containing minimal gore.
Title suggesting, The Beast Within is less about graphic gore and more about the deep-rooted emotional turmoil experienced by Willow, Imogen, and Noah as they deal with their family’s crisis. Harington delivers an impressive performance, portraying a character who can express both deep affection and intense anger – or is it a sign of teething? In a striking scene, he reveals his family’s dark past to Willow, revealing Noah’s inner vulnerability and instability, which adds an unexpected layer to the typical werewolf narrative.
The unclear aspects of the film add to its allure yet disappoint, as a well-crafted werewolf or horror movie should keep viewers in suspense. However, Farrell predominantly leaves us puzzled instead.
He does have a knack for staging action in restrained locations, with the entire film set around the crumbling family chateau and misty neighboring forest. (The country and time period are unspecified, though it looks like it could be postwar England.) Both cinematographer Daniel Katz and production designer Russell De Rozario deserve kudos for getting lots of visual mileage out of what surely wasn’t a huge budget, using a colorful palette to make the creepy settings feel less claustrophobic.
The well-made props and strong acting, featuring veterans like James Cosmo (“Braveheart”) as Noah’s gruff father-in-law, enhance the overall production. However, despite these strengths, the foundation of this compact project is questionable. This becomes particularly evident in the ending, which undermines the preceding events as it strives to present a fresh and relevant take on an aged genre.
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2024-07-26 16:24