Beast No More (2020)

AWARD WINNING AUSTRALIAN PSYCHOLOGICAL HORROR

NOW WORLD-WIDE ON AMAZON PRIME VIDEO

MY SPOILER FREE REVIEW FOR THE BLOODY ASYLUM, AND TRAILER

Released by Level 33 Entertainment

I was given the chance to review a new Australian independent horror ahead of its November 2019 world premiere at Fangoria Monsterfest in Sydney.

Beast No More is an independent film from Australia that’s been on my radar for a few years now, I have been anticipating watching it ever since I first became aware of it. Having finally seen it I was not disappointed.

Directed by Aaron Warwick, the heart-breaking story, written by Jennifer Van Gessel and Matthew J. Schelle, deals with the grief and guilt associated with the loss of a child. On the surface it may seem as if this is a subject that has been depicted countless times over the years. Beast No More, however, feels very different to any other film dealing with similar themes. Although there are horror elements, it is far more a psychological, character driven film. One that is difficult to describe as it does not fit easily into any one genre
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The story is of a young biologist, Mary Jane, who focuses on lepidoptery (the study of moths and butterflies), does not have a perfect life, she does, however, have what she considers the perfect son. Tragedy strikes and Mary Jane’s world is disturbingly turned upside down. Fleeing reality she embarks upon a solitary bush project. In the isolated and surreal landscape, it becomes clear that someone is stalking her camp. The opportunity to be a mother again presents itself, only it comes at a cost for Mary Jane and what’s left of her family.

From the opening scene Jessica Tovey’s beautifully nuanced performance is the heart and soul of the film. She is an actress who says more with one look than with pages of dialogue. There were glimpses of her talent in Lemon Tree Passage, another independent Australian horror film, but in Beast No More she simply had stronger material to work with, and made the very most it. Every emotion her character Mary Jane goes through is felt in each scene she is in. In a role that many actors would have struggled to depict, she brilliantly makes Mary Jane a realistic character. The film is at its very best when she is on screen, when focus shifts from her in the third act I feel it misses her presence, resulting in a loss of narrative cohesion.

Dan Ewing also gives an impressive performance as Jake, Mary Jane’s troubled husband. He and Jessica have some really effective scenes with a great chemistry between them.
The atmosphere of the film is heightened by the beautifully melancholic cinematography (Kent Marcus and Jarryd Hall) complemented by a similarly melancholic music score (Paul William Dawkins).

I would have liked to see some of the minor characters fleshed out a bit more. Before seeing the film I had read the comic book prequel Beast No More Metamorphosis (also written by Van Gessel) which gives more background and substance to these characters, so if you can read the comic it really does enhance the movie (links to purchase it can be found in this review).

While not a perfect film, Beast No More is held together by a superb performance of depth and complexity by Jessica Tovey. It is a very unconventional, character driven, human horror that may not be for some. Despite this I really would not hesitate in recommending it, even to non-horror fans, especially to those looking for something different.

Beast No More is, for the most part, an emotionally raw, heartfelt, extremely realistic depiction of the loss of a child, and how the individual deals with the grief and guilt.

The comic book prequel, Beast No More Metamorphosis, published by Amigo Comics, can be purchased here as a digital copy:

https://www.comixology.com/Beast-No-More/digital-comic/619229?ref=c2VhcmNoL2luZGV4L2Rlc2t0b3Avc2xpZGVyTGlzdC90b3BSZXN1bHRzU2xpZGVy

https://www.comixology.co.uk/Beast-No-More/digital-comic/619229?ref=c2VhcmNoL2luZGV4L2Rlc2t0b3Avc2xpZGVyTGlzdC90b3BSZXN1bHRzU2xpZGVy

Watch trailer here:

SPOILER FREE REVIEW OF COMIC BOOK PREQUEL:

https://mrgeekyblog.wordpress.com/2018/01/13/beast-no-more-metamorphosis-2018/