With such a great idea for a story and being advertised in a way that made one want to see it, 'Beast' showed a lot of potential from the get go and it became one of my most anticipated films after hearing about it (which actually was only a couple of weeks or so prior). A good cast and that there are some fine recent film debuts added further to the interest.

On the most part, 'Beast' did not disappoint. Not quite one of the best films of the year by all means and not quite a masterpiece, but far from one of the worst, it doesn't waste its concept and it deserves a wider release and sizeable audience. It certainly should have been more widely advertised, but being released at the same time as more publicised films that have perhaps a wider audience and films people are more likely to go and see has probably hurt it a bit. Just my present stance on things at the moment and may be proven wrong.

'Beast' could have been somewhat better. It does run a little too long perhaps, a few of the metaphors are laid too thickly and some of the lighting is a touch too dark.

The biggest problem for me was the climax, which was rather too melodramatic and also somewhat improbable.

However, 'Beast' is beautifully and atmospherically filmed and designed and Pearce makes a more than credible directing debut where the atmosphere is momentum is kept going and one is kept guessing and engrossed. It's also eerily scored.

Writing is intelligent and thought-provoking with a little wit, subtle tension and emotion. The story is absorbing, with a tight structure and a deliberate but also taut pace. There is an element of suspense and a real sense of dark dread that 'Beast' does a great job bringing out. While the mystery elements are always intriguing, even with some purposeful ambiguity in spots, there is more of an emphasis on the character relationships and interaction, handled intricately and sensitively with no hint of soap-opera, excelling in making the characters engaging and interesting.

Jessie Buckley is excellent as the vulnerable protagonist and Geraldine James is good value. Johnny Flynn doesn't have as interesting a role, slightly on the dull side, but he does what he can and is hardly charisma-light. It is a well acted film.

Overall, a very well done film with great atmosphere as well as brains and heart. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Moll is a young woman living at home in a small community. She feels stifled by her family after a tragic incident when she was thirteen. She falls for a passing stranger named Pascal Renouf with a dark side. Young girls are going missing and a serial killer is suspected on the loose.

Jessie Buckley is intriguing. Johnny Flynn is a classic bad boy. All he's missing is a motorcycle. The movie starts with Moll's birthday party. It would be informative to declare loudly Moll's age to fix the power dynamics of her character with her family. I assumed her to be younger at the beginning which makes a big difference. There is a great brooding dark atmosphere. A few of the scenes travel in the style of horrors. I assumed a shocking twist which would have Moll as the killer. That could have been a fun reveal. The ending is fine. It's darkly haunting if a little safe. Overall, this has a great tone and solid performances.

No that is not what you get - the question about the title is still not easy to answer. While you think it is one thing (or describes one person),it may be actually someone or something else. The conclusion and what you feel is the truth, is left up to you. Yes there will be answers to the most important question(s),but that doesn't mean that is all the movie is giving you.

This is a fight, a struggle - a woman that is being repressed and is hiding her emotions. Until she meets this new guy ... who't completely free, does what he likes, no matter what others think of him. But does that also mean he could potentially be dangerous? Are we as humans all beasts? In a different sense some maybe, but out to get others some way or another.

Socially and otherwise this has a lot to tell, though it does focus on the female character/protagonist. Something we don't get to see often, at least not in Blockbuster movies. So it is always refreshing to get a low budget take/thriller on certain subjects. This is really well made and superbly acted.