Watch Beast of Burden

"Beast of Burden" is a 2018 action-thriller film directed by Jesper Ganslandt and starring Daniel Radcliffe, Grace Gummer, and Pablo Schreiber. The film follows Sean Haggerty (Radcliffe), a former pilot turned drug smuggler who is pulled back into his dangerous past for one last job. In order to protect his wife (Gummer), who has been put in danger by his handlers, Sean must use his flying skills to transport a large quantity of cocaine across the border while being monitored by the DEA and his former associates.

The film is set almost entirely in the cockpit of Sean's small airplane as he communicates with his handlers, his wife, and various people on the ground via a headset. The storytelling is non-linear, with the film jumping back and forth in time to slowly reveal the events leading up to Sean's final flight. The tension builds steadily throughout the film as Sean's situation becomes more and more perilous, and the stakes rise with each passing minute.

Radcliffe delivers a nuanced and layered performance as Sean, a man who is torn between his loyalty to his wife and his own survival. The film's minimalistic setting allows for his performance to shine, as he is forced to convey a range of emotions while sitting alone in the cockpit. Gummer also puts in a strong performance as Sean's wife, who is trying to navigate her own danger while dealing with the strain that his lifestyle has put on their marriage.

The film's direction is strong, with Ganslandt using creative camera angles and visual effects to make the most of the film's limited setting. The tension is further enhanced by the film's smart use of sound, particularly the radio chatter and sound effects of the plane. These elements work together to create a palpable sense of danger throughout the film, even during the quiet moments.

Schreiber rounds out the cast as Sean's former partner in crime, who is working with the DEA to bring down the drug cartel. He brings a sense of ruthless determination to his role, and his scenes with Radcliffe are particularly intense. The interplay between the three main characters is what drives the film, and the performances from all three actors are strong enough to carry the weight of the story.

One of the strengths of the film is its willingness to gradually reveal its secrets. The non-linear storytelling allows for the audience to slowly piece together what has happened to lead Sean to this point, and Ganslandt does an excellent job of manipulating time to keep the tension high. This also provides some surprising twists and turns along the way, making for a satisfying viewing experience.

While the story is relatively simple, the film's strong direction and performances elevate it beyond a typical action-thriller. The film is a character study of a man on the edge, pushed to his limits by circumstance and betrayal. Radcliffe's performance in particular is a revelation, with the actor shedding any remnants of his Harry Potter persona to become a convincing anti-hero. "Beast of Burden" is a taut and gripping thriller that showcases the talents of its cast and crew.

Beast of Burden is a 2018 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 3.6.