Already a Global Hit: What is The Beast in Me?
If you have a Netflix subscription, you won't want to miss arguably the thriller event of the season. Just a few days ago, the streaming giant dropped The Beast in Me, a limited series that has everyone talking—and for good reason.
Anchored by powerhouse performances from Claire Danes (“Homeland”) and Matthew Rhys (“The Americans”), the story follows acclaimed author Aggie Wiggs, who has withdrawn from public life after her son's death. Unexpectedly, she finds herself drawn back into the world when her neighbor's house is bought by Nile Jarvis—a ruthless real estate mogul and, most notably, the prime suspect in his wife’s disappearance. You can already feel the tension, can’t you?
Breaking Records & Winning Fans
As everyone expected, The Beast in Me has shot to the top of Netflix's most-watched lists not just in France, but worldwide (thanks, Flixpatrol). And that's no wonder: the entire cast delivers flawless performances, the writing is tight, the suspense is palpable, and, perhaps most importantly, it all leads to a highly satisfying conclusion.
Currently sitting at a solid 3.8 out of 5—and that number just keeps going up—The Beast in Me is already among the best new releases on Netflix this month. With such strong word of mouth, it could well become the big surprise hit to close the year.
Reviewers Are Enthusiastic (Mostly…)
The comments section on AlloCiné is bursting with glowing reviews:
“A solid, immersive psychological thriller. The acting is the show’s greatest strength: Matthew Rhys is absolutely outstanding, and Claire Danes does very well, even if she keeps some of her ‘Homeland’ habits. The pace is effective and the overall writing is controlled, even if some plot shortcuts occasionally dull the tension.” (Moh Dziri)
“The directing, elegant and precise, plays with silences, close-ups, and lighting to create an almost tangible sense of unease. And the episodes flow smoothly, keeping up the suspenseful pace.” (Patricia P)
“This is probably the best thriller series in recent years. The plot is perfectly crafted, offering just the right amount of new information each episode, the dialogue is delightful, and the direction is almost faultless.” (Mheyos Darnan)
We’ll admit it: reading some of the feedback on The Beast in Me’s page did make us grin. While the acting is almost universally praised, a small group of viewers are not quite sold on Claire Danes playing a psychologically unstable character not far from her iconic “Homeland” role:
“The only downside: Claire Danes is just UNBEARABLE. She overacts from start to finish. Her gestures, grimaces, head tilts, those raised eyebrows… aaaarrrrggghhh I couldn’t take it anymore.” (Michel A)
A Series Not to Miss
But don’t let a handful of reviews put you off—The Beast in Me is, without a doubt, the unmissable series as this year comes to a close on Netflix. All eight episodes are waiting for you right now. Happy binge-watching—and don’t forget to share your own take!
