‘Beast’ is a gritty survival thriller set in the African savanna. In just 93 minutes, Idris Elba plays a doctor and father fighting a deadly battle with a huge man-eating lion, alongside his two daughters. The plot is predictable, but the film still entertains. Its biggest strengths are the tight pacing and Idris Elba’s strong performance. The CGI lion and some character choices can be questionable, but the sound design, clearly made for Dolby Cinema, and the immersive long takes are excellent. While critics and audiences are split (Rotten Tomatoes: 69% vs. IMDb: 5.9), the movie offers solid B-movie action fun for those who enjoy that style.

Although the boldness of the arrangement may divide opinion, this work is very well done. Even as an adult, I feel sympathy for Maleficent's upbringing.