Watch The Beast Within

The Beast Within is a 1982 horror film directed by Philippe Mora and starring Ronny Cox, Bibi Besch, and Paul Clemens. The movie is a classic tale of transformation, as a young man named Michael MacCleary, portrayed by Clemens, discovers that there is a horrifying monster lurking inside him. The movie is set in a small Mississippi town, where Michael's parents, Eli and Caroline MacCleary, played by Cox and Besch, are struggling to deal with their son's sudden and violent outbursts.

The movie begins with a prologue set in 1964, in which an unnamed traveler is attacked and raped by an unknown creature in the woods outside of the town. The movie then jumps forward 17 years to the present day, where we meet the MacCleary family. Michael is a seemingly normal teenager, but as he nears his 18th birthday, he begins to experience strange and violent impulses. One night, Michael is drawn to a creepy old house in the woods and becomes possessed by the same creature that attacked the traveler in the prologue.

As Michael's behavior grows more erratic and dangerous, his parents begin to investigate the history of the town and discover that there may be a dark secret lurking beneath the surface. They enlist the help of a local doctor, played by John Dennis Johnston, who believes that Michael may be the victim of a genetic mutation caused by exposure to radiation. But as Michael's transformation becomes more complete, it becomes clear that there is no scientific explanation for what is happening to him.

The Beast Within is a suspenseful and brutal horror movie that offers plenty of scares and gory moments. The transformation scenes, in which Michael undergoes a painful metamorphosis into a snarling, beast-like creature, are particularly effective. The movie also benefits from a strong cast, with Ronny Cox and Bibi Besch delivering nuanced performances as Michael's concerned parents.

One of the most interesting things about The Beast Within is the way it explores themes of identity and inheritance. Michael's transformation is not just physical; it represents a clash between his human identity and the animalistic urges that are buried deep within him. The movie also touches on issues of social class and power dynamics, as the wealthy townspeople try to keep their secrets hidden from the outsiders who threaten to expose them.

Overall, The Beast Within is a solid horror movie that delivers thrills and chills in equal measure. It may not be the most original of stories, but its strong performances and effective special effects make it a worthwhile addition to the horror canon.

The Beast Within is a 1982 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6 and a MetaScore of 42.