THE BEAST WITHIN Review: Kit Harington Rages in This Bleak Horror Entry [Fantasia Fest 2024]

Werewolves have long been an allegory for the transformational nature of suppressed rage, with the possessed unable to hold back the violent change that overtakes them on the full moon. Writer-director Alexander J. Farrell’s The Beast Within puts a spin on the traditional werewolf trope; what if a werewolf was also a human monster the other 30 days of the month?

The film centers on 10-year-old Willow (Caoilinn Springall), a sick child living with her secretive parents in a secluded castle in the English countryside. Willow is convinced that her mother Imogen (Ashleigh Cummings) and her abusive father Noah (Kit Harington) are hiding something from her, and decides to follow them into the woods on one of their monthly visits deep into the surrounding forest. Once there, she witnesses her father undergoing a monstrous transformation, setting off a battle that pits the young Willow against her father’s terrifying power.

Beautifully shot by Daniel Katz and featuring a restrained take on well-worn horror tropes from Alexander J. Farrell, The Beast Within is an unusual horror tale that primarily focuses on the real-world terrors of a controlling and violent father (Harington). The unsettling world is viewed through young Willow’s eyes, which adds another layer of unease to the proceedings.

The issue with The Beast Within is the lack of any suspense: Noah is a violent and despicable character right off the bat, which drains the supernatural reveal of any bite. That caveat aside, the film features strong performances from the entire cast, especially Caoilinn Springall as the daughter at the heart of this chaotic family.

With an atmospheric tone and striking scenery, The Beast Within offers a unique take on a familiar story. Kit Harington (who appears to have absconded with his character’s fur coat from the set of Game of Thrones) delivers a throughly unlikable performance as the domineering patriarch of the family home, proving that real horror isn’t always relegated to the fantastical.

The Beast Within held its world premiere at the Fantasia International Film Festival. The film opens in select theatres on July 26.