“The Beast”, Bertrand Bonello’s critically acclaimed sci-fi mindbender, starring Lea Seydoux and George MacKay, has been acquired by Sideshow and Janus Films for U.S. theatrical release. The plan is for a 2024 launch.
This was the ballsiest film to screen at TIFF. It takes its time to cast its spell on you, I was lukewarm on its first 45 or so minutes, but once it does grab a hold of you, the result is a damn-near hypnotic experience.
Bonello’s story unfolds over three distinct periods: 1910, 2014 and 2044 — The plot is set partly in the near future in which artificial intelligence is in control of everyone's lives and human emotions are perceived as a threat. Seydoux and MacKay’s time-shifting romance veers towards the spiritual — it seems to not just tackle DNA technology, but hints at possible resurrection.
The 142 minute film hits its peak at the one hour mark, as it starts veering into Lynchian territory — stalkers, Los Angeles and super models collide in a story unlike any seen before.