Film Review #132: THE BEAST
SFS Showcase: THE BEAST - film review
Singapore Film Society’s monthly Showcase for June 2024 presented me with one of the most interesting moviegoing experiences in recent years - The Beast by Bertrand Bonello.
Seasoned French auteur Bonello reunites with Léa Seydoux in this dystopian, mind-bending film about artificial intelligence in control, and where human decision-making takes a backseat. This bizarre tale, told in three timelines, also stars George MacKay as Seydoux’s male lead across all timelines.
Seydoux plays Gabrielle, a woman constantly haunted by the idea that something catastrophic would happen to her if she were to act on her romantic interest in Louis, played by MacKay. The duo’s chemistry, coupled with the ominous energy between them and surrounding their interactions, is one of the merits that holds this convoluted film together.
If one finds the film difficult to follow and comprehend, perhaps leave the mind to rest and let the eyes take charge, for
The Beast excels in its luxurious and showy imagery, set pieces, costumes and visual effects. Cinematographer Jośee Deshaies and production designer Katia Wyszkop deserve a special shoutout for their and their teams’ outstanding work in this regard.
Bonello roams free in his creative cinematic world with this film. As its director, co-writer, co-producer and even co-composer, his creative vision is felt throughout the entire film. As someone new to Bonello's works, I dare not say The Beast is his most ambitious project till date, but it certainly is one of the most creatively ambitious films in recent years.
As a sucker for European cinema as well as movies that exercise the brain, this film is very much up my alley and I would recommend it to those who crave something similar. At almost two-and-a-half-hours, depending on your perspective, this film could stretch the bladder but it absolutely stretches the mind just as much, if not more so. Moreover, how refreshing and satisfying is it to see an attractive British actor speak French?
Bonello's The Beast is one of the latest additions to the dystopian sci-fi film genre, and one that strives to unlock the "divisive at first but gradually becoming a classic over time" achievement. Appealing to a diverse range of moviegoers, namely Léa Seydoux and George MacKay fans, fans of European films and dystopian sci-fi fans, it is without a doubt the film which leaves me the deepest impression out of all SFS Showcases this year so far.
Check out my YouTube video film review of The Beast for other thoughts and views! And don't forget to explore SFS membership here!
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About the author: Jarrett is a devoted cinephile for over half of his life. Apart from movies, coffee keeps him awake and music keeps him alive. Having studied theatre and performed as an actor before, he's also a sucker for great performances.
Connect with Jarrett here: https://linktr.ee/jarrettandfilm
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