The decision to like man v nature survival thriller Beast is only a whim away

Surviving the wild veld of South Africa is tough, but surviving it while being chased by a rogue lion? That’s another beast entirely. Beast (2022) pits man against nature, and when that man is Idris Elba, you know it’s going to be a match-up for the ages.

In the aftermath of his estranged wife’s death from cancer, Doctor Nate Samuels (Elba) brings his two daughters Meredith (Iyana Halley) and Norah (Leah Sava Jeffries) for a cathartic and hopefully reconnective journey to the land where their mother grew up. But while the goal of the trip might be healing, it quickly turns into survival as a rogue lion, driven to a murderous rampage by the thoughtless destruction of poachers, stalks them through the unforgiving bush.

Baltasar Kormákur wields the stunning South African landscape like a painter with his brush, turning every frame into a testament to the raw, untamed beauty of the savanna. The vistas stretch out, timelessly indifferent to the human drama unfolding within them, creating a perfect juxtaposition to the visceral terror of the predator lurking unseen in the tall grass. Philippe Rousselot’s cinematography captures the majesty of it all, making the environment a silent but pivotal character in the unfolding action.

Idris Elba, an actor with a powerful screen presence, imbues Nate with a palpable mix of vulnerability and strength. His portrayal transcends the typical action-hero archetype, showcasing the fierce protectiveness of a desperate father as a force of nature in its own right, every bit the equal to the king of the beasts. The dynamic between Elba and his on-screen daughters adds an emotional grounding and stakes that anchor the film’s more sensational elements, making the audience root for their survival not just against the lion, but against the fractured family dynamic that they’re struggling with.

The cast is rounded out by Sharlto Copley as Martin Battles, Nate’s old friend and wildlife biologist who originally introduced Nate to his late wife. Copley’s performance is a reassuringly authentic presence, giving the story a sense of verisimilitude with his expertise and familiarity with the land. And let’s face it, a movie set in South Africa without Sharlto Copley would have been a real elephant in the room to complement the lion in the savanna.

Beast aims to deliver relentless tension and heart-pounding action, and while the trail it follows is a well-trodden one, the performances, direction, and cinematography more than make up for the formulaic shortcomings. It navigates its narrative with finesse, integrating an ecological subtext that adds a little piquancy to the overall flavour. The lion’s rampage is not just a random act of violence, but a direct consequence of human interference. Poaching has disrupted the natural order, and the rogue lion embodies nature’s fury, with our heroes simply caught up in the collateral damage.

In the realm of man vs. nature adventure thrillers, Beast marks its territory admirably. It resonates with echoes of The Ghost and the Darkness, The Edge, and even Jaws, films where human arrogance and fragility clash with the wild’s merciless power. Beast claws out its niche with a modern sensibility and an emotional core centered on the price and power of familial bonds, a primal dance of survival punctuated by moments of humanity.

Beast is a safari ride worth taking. It’s a visceral, engaging tale that keeps you perched on the edge of your seat, and when you’re not admiring the scenery, your heart will be racing in sync with every suspenseful beat.