If you like lions, Idris Elba and jump scares, then Beast is a roaring good time.

 

Shot on location in South Africa, Beast is filled with gorgeous scenery and wildlife galore. The acting by Idris Elba and the rest of the cast is excellent. Then again, in this reviewer’s mind, Elba can do no wrong.

 

Elba brings a solemnity and sovereignty to every role he plays, and this film is no different. He turns in a strong performance as Nate, a doctor dad who will do anything to save his two daughters. 

 

Nate and his two teen daughters visit a close family friend in remote South Africa to feel closer to the late mom’s roots and begin to bond again as a family of three. We learn that the dad was somewhat estranged during the mom’s last year of life.

 

That’s when things go horribly wrong, as the remote location combined with a rogue lion out for human blood turn this family bonding vacation into a fight for survival.

 

It’s worth noting that humans are the real bad guys here, as the lion wouldn’t be so hellbent on killing us all if poachers hadn’t first wiped out his entire pride. 

 

I loved Beast for the scares and how many times it made me yell or scream out loud; even my stoic tween daughter let out a yelp during one particularly startling moment. I always enjoy a movie that keeps your heartrate up enough to make your Fitbit think you’re doing cardio!

 

The CGI lion wasn’t the best, but it was all plausible enough to allow the suspension of disbelief.

 

Really, the only issue I had with this movie is the gratuitous shots of slaughtered villagers. Without that, it probably could have been rated PG-13 and wouldn’t have lost a thing of value.