THE BEAST WITHIN
Director: Alexander J. Farrell
Writers: Greer Ellison, Alexander J. Farrell
Starting off THE BEAST WITHIN with a quote from the Cherokee
legend Two Wolves, “There are two wolves, and they are always fighting,” is the
perfect way to set the stage for this family tragedy disguised as a fairy tale.
Set in the isolated countryside of England, Noah (Kit
Harington) is a father with a secret that he is desperately trying to keep
under control. His mysterious excursions at night leave his ailing daughter
Willow (Caoilinn Springall) plagued with questions.
The old, timeless house in the woods that she lives in with
her caring mother, Imogen, (Ashleigh Cummings) and absent father feels more
like a haunted castle than a loving home.
As Willow investigates her father’s bizarre and dark behavior,
a monstrous figure emerges from the shadows, terrorizing those who encounter
it.
Supported by her grandfather, Waylon, (James Cosmo), Willow
attempts to unravel the mysteries of the creature, and the revelations that she
discovers will rock her family and leave her forever changed.
THE BEAST WITHIN is a very well-done metaphor for domestic abuse.
As the viewer, you only get a sense of what is going on with
this family through Willow’s perspective. At times, Willow is happy go luck;
other times she is walking on eggshells.
The setting and use of Harewood Woods and Castle provide
this dark story with the right fairy tale vibe, so the audience feels a sense
of magic and danger.
The acting and charisma with every actor cements the realistic
family tragedy.
Very specific, well-acted lines from Noah and Imogen,
provide the audience clues that this is not your traditional lycanthrope story.
Lines that signal red flags to an intense final battle between
the two wolves include:
“Don’t ever leave me again.” – Noah to Imogen
“Nothing changes.” – both Noah and
Imogen to each other
“I love you when you’re like this.”
– Imogen to Noah
At the climax of the film, viewers get the full reveal of Noah. Some
fans may mock the reveal because it doesn’t fit certain horror standards.
But this particular werewolf fits the story. There’s a certain
loyal, caring canine look that again hints at the internal struggle.
And then the viewers get the truth in the last couple
minutes of the film, and immediately go through their own struggle to process
what was just revealed.
Director Alexander J. Farrell wanted to create a film that didn’t
just scare but showcased the intensity of real-world complications. THE BEAST
WITHIN hits those marks in wolf’s clothing.
And personally, as someone who dated a narcissist/emotional
abuser, I felt seen and heard.
Because the abuser always finds something else to blame but
themselves.
And it takes its toll on everyone around them.
