You might recall horror classics like The Wolf Man, An American Werewolf in London amongst others, but identifying a classic modern-day werewolf movie is tough. The genre is a challenging one, often failing to trigger genuine fright due to unrealistic special effects or the human affinity towards dogs making the man-dog monster less terrifying.
'The Beast Within', featuring Kit Harington portraying a troubled werewolf parent, consciously acknowledges these pitfalls. In true Val Lewton style, the monster remains largely off-screen, its threatening presence signified mostly through smoke and shadows. Such subtlety infuses a chilling undertone to the narrative, centered around little Willow (Caoilinn Springall) living in a haunted castle, with her possibly monstrous father lurking nearby.
Detected through peculiar behavioral changes during the full moon, Willow's father, Noah (Harington), potentially harbours a monstrous side. His spouse, Imogen (Ashleigh Cummings), attempts to manage his transformations by offering him live pigs for dinner, and ensuring he is distanced from the family.
Penned by the directing maestro, Alexander J. Farrell and Greer Ellison, the movie revolves around Willow’s journey, where she unfolds the truth about her father. Besides the monstrous ambiguity surrounding Noah, there are hints of Willow carrying her father’s genes, creating intrigue, bereft of horror cliches.
'The Beast Within' thrives on psychological terror rather than explicit gore, delving into the conflicted psyches of the core characters, grappling with their familial distress. Director Farrell displays Noah as a complex protagonist, a loving father yet potentially threatening. A commendable scene involves Noah unveiling his dark lineage to Willow, highlighting his internal frailties-a refreshing departure from standard werewolf narratives.
While the suspenseful ambiguity keeps viewers guessing, it fails to provide gripping horror, a crucial element in all successful horror films. Although confined to limited locations-a dilapidated family mansion and an eerie neighbouring forest, Farrell does create visually engaging moments. Cinematographer Daniel Katz and production designer Russell De Rozario contribute significantly to making the bleak settings less oppressive through their creative usage of colors.
The proficient cast, which includes seasoned actor James Cosmo and others, add depth to the narrative. However, the movie, due to its understated concept and somewhat disappointing climax, fails to reinvent the werewolf genre successfully.
