Beast

Starring: Idris Elba, Sharlto Copley, Iyana Halley, Leah Jeffries

Director: Baltasar Kormákur

Dr. Nate Samuels (Elba) hopes to reconnect with his two daughters Meredith (Halley) and Norah (Jeffries) by visiting South Africa to see where Nate first met his wife, who recently passed due to cancer. After meeting up with an old family friend and wildlife conservationist, Martin (Copley), the group heads out for a day of seeing wildlife and taking photos. After coming across a bloodied and injured man, the group realize they have a larger issue on their hands as a bloodthirsty lion, whose pride was murdered by poachers, is hellbent on revenge and attacking any human that crosses its path. As the lion's attacks become more frequent and violent, the family must come together in an intense fight for survival.

What a way to end the summer, with this getting my vote for the hidden gem of the season! Seriously, strap in, because from the opening attack by the poachers to the finale that brilliantly teases when the lion is going to appear, this 90-minute thrill ride grips you from the first frame and never lets up. Working with cinematographer Philippe Rousselot, they do everything they can to wring every ounce of suspense from the very simple story. Also kudos to the sound design team for helping keep the tension cranked to eleven, with every little twig snap or rustle of brush keeping the characters and audience on their toes and looking for the lion.

The movie also doesn't tease the audience for a showdown between Elba and a lion that doesn't happen. The fight does come and it is fittingly brutal and realistic. Despite its lean run time, the film also is able to create a strong family dynamic and squeeze in a strong anti-poaching theme. The blurred line between who is really the villain of the film, man or beast, could have been eye rolling and instead comes across naturally and gives the movie a little more heft than one might be expecting.

I also really appreciated how the movie handled the family dynamic between Idris and his kids. Clearly, there are a lot of unresolved issues, as they feel he abandoned their mother when she needed him the most and they haven't forgiven him. Like the kids, the movie doesn't completely let him off the hook. Although there isn't a lot of time for character development, the movie does a fantastic job of not only setting up their relationship with each other but with Martin as well. Once the fight for survival takes precedence, they work together to survive as they don't really have time to bicker once the lion shows up.

The special effects are a mixed bag, with the lion looking terrifyingly realistic at times and looking like a poorly rendered special effect in others. The moments where it doesn't look as good momentarily take you out of the suspense but the movie knows how to quickly draw you back in.

Idris Elba is fantastic here and has great chemistry with the girls playing his daughters. Their bickering and jokes towards each other feel incredibly realistic. Also realistic is that the movie doesn't go out of its way to turn Elba into an unrealistic action hero. At one point his daughters are surprised he can't hot wire a car and his wonderful response is essentially, "I can't do that, I went to medical school." This is also my favorite Sharlto Copley role probably since District 9, as the actor gives a very restrained and understated performance rather than his usual over-the-top role.

With its nonstop thrills and layered performances, this deserves to be seen on the biggest and loudest screen you can. Hold on tight!

Grade: A-