Fantasia International Film Festival audiences were treated to the world premier of The Beast Within. Director Alexander J. Farrell (Refugee, Lighthouse Lesvos), who also co-wrote the film with Greer Ellison (Butterfly Kisses, Making a Killing), brings to life the story of 10-year-old Willow. Her seemingly idyllic life in the remote English countryside is turned upside down when she discovers her father is hiding a monstrous secret.

From the very start, The Beast Within comes across as a sort of gothic fairytale. The story is told from the point of view of a child, adding a sense of magic and a bit of unreliability. As the film begins, the audience can immediately tell something is wrong. Young Willow might be oblivious to it, whether by her parents protecting her from the truth or willful ignorance, but viewers will note the sense of unease right away. While the big lycanthropic reveal happens early on in the film, it’s quite purposeful. It allows for the tension that builds to come from the family dynamics, leading to an explosive climax. While most of the film might not be as thrilling as some audiences would expect, especially for a creature feature, there’s no denying those final moments will have people on the edge of their seats.

As with most of the best werewolf films, The Beast Within uses lycanthropy as a metaphor. In this case, it’s a metaphor for an abusive partner. Willow’s mother tries to hide it, but the audience sees her nervous energy and the bruises she tries to hide. Willow’s father acts like a loving husband and doting father, but the rage and jealousy bubble to the surface. When her father has transformed, there’s no telling how dangerous he could be. This metaphor is brilliant because it delivers a haunting portrayal of an abusive relationship, but by adding the werewolf element, the stakes are raised even further. Every moment feels dangerous, leading to horrors no child should experience. The metaphor also works when considering the story is told from the perspective of a child. Humans aren’t supposed to be the monsters, so by having Willow’s father be a werewolf she is able separate the father she loves from the monster he becomes. The film is suspenseful, whimsical, and heartbreaking.

Each actor in the small cast of The Beast Within delivers knockout performances. Caoilinn Springall (Stopmotion, The Mightnight Sky) stars as young Willow. Despite her young age, Springall is able to carry the weight of the film on her shoulders, allowing the audience to see the world through the eyes of a child. Yet what truly makes her portrayal of Willow so phenomenal is the emotional depth she brings to the character, conveying the often complex and conflicting feelings a child has towards parents in an abusive relationship. Ashleigh Cummings (NOS4A2, Hounds of Love) plays Willow’s mother. Cummings is haunting in this role, seeming like a shell of a woman trying to hold her family together while also protecting her daughter from the sinister truth. Kit Harrington (Game of Thrones, Eternals) plays Willow’s father. What really makes Harrington a star in this film is how, even when his character seems happy and loving, the way he speaks or a subtle tenseness in his body hints to the barely-contained rage lurking inside him. The dynamics between the family members feels so authentically raw and real, which makes the horrors that ensue that much more powerful.

There is a timelessness to The Beast Within. From the remote stone manor the family lives in to the wardrobe to the general lack of technology, the film could as easily take place today as it could have 50 years ago. Early on, audiences will notice nods to Little Red Riding Hood as we see Willow in the forest wearing a red hooded cape, while her father is shown draped in some type of thick, grey fur. These elements, as well as the stunning cinematography and natural lighting, help to create that fairytale-like feel. When it comes to the werewolf itself, the filmmakers wisely go with a “less is more” approach. There is some minor CGI used to show glimpses of the transformation, but for the beast itself they went for practical effects. This too is shown fairly briefly, but the practically created werewolf looks fantastic and adds to the terror and the anguish that unfolds.

The Beast Within tells a tragically human story of abuse and survival disguised in lycanthropic fairytale clothing. Farrell and Ellison have crafted a haunting, beautiful film of trauma and monsters. While it may lean more into the dramatic, human side of the story than some horror audiences would prefer, it’s impossible to ignore the craftsmanship. With a small but mighty cast delivering breathtaking performances, and visuals that weave between the whimsical and the horrific, The Beast Within is sure to leave a mark.

OVERALL RATING: 8/10