I’ve always been a sucker for a shark movie. Fantastic Fest made sure to scratch that itch by screening the Australian survival film, Beast of War. Written and directed by Kiah Roache-Turner (Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead, Sting), the film follows a group of Australian soldiers during WWII. When their ship is bombed in the Timor Sea, a small group of survivors must band together to survive hunger, thirst, and a ravenous great white shark.

Roache-Turner has made a name for himself by creating thrilling films that are fun, wild, and outlandish. With Beast of War, he takes a far more understated, realistic approach when bringing to life this story based on true events. The audience is allowed to get to know the characters while they’re still on land going through basic training. Once out on the water, the action immediately kicks in. What makes this film so compelling and exciting to watch is the number of themes it weaves into what could have been a basic shark attack flick. By allowing time for the character development, the story emphasizes the interpersonal relationships between the soldiers. There is toxic masculinity, courage, racism, mistrust, brotherhood, and everything in between. Having a single great white shark thrown into the mix not only delivers more carnage and gore, but also generates heightened emotions and tension as these men are trapped in a deadly situation together. For the most part, Beast of War will keep you on the edge of your seat because the film makes you care about the men fighting for their lives. It leads to a climax that definitely leans a bit cheesy, but the journey to that end still makes for a memorable watch.

Beast of War might be a shark attack film, but it’s also a character-driven drama with stunning performances. Some of these characters seem to fit various stereotypes, but there is also depth that makes each person seem more real. Mark Coles Smith (We Bury the Dead, Akoni) stars as Leo. Smith is the heart and soul of the film. Leo faces the most adversity, being an Aboriginal soldier in 1942, but he’s also the most kind and capable new recruit. Smith makes it clear Leo has the skills and traumatic history to adapt and survive in almost any situation, all while helping his fellow soldiers. Joel Nankervis makes his film debut as Will, Leo’s only real friend. Will is more brain than brawn, making him an easy target for ridicule, yet Nankervis gradually peels back the layers of this character. He might not be as strong as his brothers in arms, but he has a strength of mind and heart that makes him the kind of soldier one would want to have by their side. Other great performances come from Sam Delich (Christmas Bloody Christmas), Sam Parsonson (Hacksaw Ridge), Lee Tiger Halley in his feature film debut, and Maximillian Johnson (Fear Below).

One thing audiences will immediately notice about Beast of War is how beautiful the cinematography is. From the jungle landscapes to the open sea, it’s clear great care was taken to enhance the stunning locations while also adding to the terror. For the water scenes, it’s quite noticeable that these scenes were filmed in a large, indoor tank. While this could have been a negative, Roache-Turner saw it as an opportunity to create gorgeous, eye-catching lighting either through fog or clear skies. It reveals an unexpected touch of beauty to what could have otherwise been quite drab and boring.

Adding to the scares are intense sound design and striking visual effects. The sound plays an important role, generating a sense of danger with explosions, haunting air raid sirens, and eerily muffled underwater sequences. Then there is the shark herself. The great white is only shown in brief moments of attack, allowing her to maintain an air of mystery. When she does pop up, a combination of practical and CGI effects bring the shark to life. Finally, Beast of War wouldn’t be a real shark attack film without a healthy dose of toothy carnage. The practical effects used to create the soldiers’ wounds is brilliantly executed, injecting gruesome horror into the film as it showcases shocking gore.

Beast of War delivers an intimate character study soaked in the bloody carnage of shark attack horror. Roache-Turner has created one of his more understated works with this film, yet it still brings plenty of suspense, terror, and excitement to the screen. Much of this success is due to the breathtaking visuals and nightmarish sound design. Yet what really makes this film great is the acting, especially when it comes to Smith’s performance. It’s the kind of story that breaks genre barriers, allowing it to appeal to a wider audience. Beast of War will be out in theaters and on digital Friday, October 10th.

OVERALL RATING: 7.5/10