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The Beast

Released Apr 5 2h 26m Drama Romance Sci-Fi TRAILER for List
86% Tomatometer 139 Reviews 63% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
The year is 2044: artificial intelligence controls all facets of a stoic society as humans routinely "erase" their feelings. Hoping to eliminate pain caused by their past-life romances, Gabrielle (Léa Seydoux) continually falls in love with different incarnations of Louis (George MacKay). Set first in Belle Époque-era Paris, Louis is a British man who woos her away from a cold husband, then in early 21st Century Los Angeles, he is a disturbed American bent on delivering violent "retribution." Will the process allow Gabrielle to fully connect with Louis in the present, or are the two doomed to repeat their previous fates? Visually audacious director Bertrand Bonello (Saint Laurent, Nocturama) fashions his most accomplished film to date: a sci-fi epic, inspired by Henry James' turn-of-the-century novella, suffused with mounting dread and a haunting sense of mystery. Punctuated by a career-defining, three-role performance by Seydoux, The Beast poignantly conveys humanity's struggle against dissociative identity and emotionless existence.
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The Beast

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Critics Consensus

Unwieldy but rewarding, The Beast uses its sci-fi conceit to explore intriguing themes in largely satisfying fashion.

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Critics Reviews

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Adam Nayman The Ringer The Beast gives a sense of an artist burrowing deep inside his material (and his moment) and emerging with something vital. It’s fearless filmmaking. Jul 23, 2024 Full Review Donald Clarke Irish Times About halfway through Bertrand Bonello’s insanely knotty new picture – a Spaghetti Junction of semi-discrete timelines – one version of Léa Seydoux gives in to frustration. “What the f**k are you talking about!” she yells into the ether. What indeed? Rated: 3/5 Jul 13, 2024 Full Review Mark Kermode Kermode and Mayo's Take (YouTube) Against any rhyme or reason, it works. Jun 5, 2024 Full Review Kevin Wight The Wee Review Although a cerebral film, it’s arguably Bonello’s most accessible. The compartmentalised structure makes the runtime more than palatable, and the repeated symbols and motifs he uses throughout are clear in their utility Rated: 3 Sep 4, 2024 Full Review William Stottor The Indiependent Bertrand Bonello’s The Beast is a glorious and twisted century-spanning romance that is a playful, absurd, and utterly terrifying indictment on historical and modern societal issues. Rated: 4/5 Sep 3, 2024 Full Review June Butler Film Ireland Magazine There may not have been much beef, but there was plenty of bull. Aug 23, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (37) audience reviews
Kelvin G This was very well acted and shot well, but the story was just meh. There was entirely too much dialogue. The end was somewhat abrupt too. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 04/24/24 Full Review Will A very strange movie that uses a sci-fi framework to examine difficulties people face in forming connections and sustaining relationships very ambitious and not totally successful, it benefits from a strong lead in Lea Seydoux and sharp direction. Still, it bites off more than it can chew thematically. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 04/21/24 Full Review Remy Strange movie but made me think and was entertaining Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/23/24 Full Review Dotan First half was very boring and then the rest mad 0 sense Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 04/12/24 Full Review Michael M Pleasing to look at but a total bore. Instead of watching this movie watch your tv screensaver images for two hours. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 09/11/24 Full Review Audience Member + story ± timelines - duration Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/07/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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The Beast

The Beast: First Look - Close Your Eyes The Beast: First Look - Close Your Eyes 0:34 View more videos

Movie Info

Synopsis The year is 2044: artificial intelligence controls all facets of a stoic society as humans routinely "erase" their feelings. Hoping to eliminate pain caused by their past-life romances, Gabrielle (Léa Seydoux) continually falls in love with different incarnations of Louis (George MacKay). Set first in Belle Époque-era Paris, Louis is a British man who woos her away from a cold husband, then in early 21st Century Los Angeles, he is a disturbed American bent on delivering violent "retribution." Will the process allow Gabrielle to fully connect with Louis in the present, or are the two doomed to repeat their previous fates? Visually audacious director Bertrand Bonello (Saint Laurent, Nocturama) fashions his most accomplished film to date: a sci-fi epic, inspired by Henry James' turn-of-the-century novella, suffused with mounting dread and a haunting sense of mystery. Punctuated by a career-defining, three-role performance by Seydoux, The Beast poignantly conveys humanity's struggle against dissociative identity and emotionless existence.
Director
Bertrand Bonello
Producer
Justin Taurand, Bertrand Bonello, Xavier Dolan, Nancy Grant
Screenwriter
Bertrand Bonello, Bertrand Bonello, Guillaume Bréaud, Benjamin Charbit
Distributor
Sideshow / Janus Films
Genre
Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi
Original Language
French
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 5, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 18, 2024
Box Office (Gross USA)
$414.0K
Runtime
2h 26m
Sound Mix
Surround
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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