BOTTOM LINE
Clever Psychological Thriller
PLATFORM
NETFLIX
RUNTIME
6 hours 32 minutes – 8 Episodes
What Is the Show About?
The Beast in Me is an intense eight-episode psychological crime thriller that revolves around the twisted yet magnetic dynamic between two broken people. The story follows Aggie Wiggs (Claire Danes), an acclaimed author whose life has been shattered by the tragic death of her young son and a subsequent divorce from her wife, Shelley. Aggie is consumed by grief, rage, and a severe case of writer’s block.
Her world slowly starts to turn upside down when her new neighbour moves in, who goes by the name of Nile Jarvis (Matthew Rhys), an incredibly wealthy real estate mogul. Nile is charismatic, slippery, and, crucially, he’s been publicly and widely accused of murdering his first wife, Madison, who went missing years ago.
Aggie is drawn to Nile’s notoriety and eventually proposes a deal: she will write her next book about him, in a bid to tell his side of the story and, for herself, find the truth. What starts as a professional relationship quickly spirals into a dark, cat-and-mouse game where both Aggie and Nile discover a ‘beast’ lurking within each other.
Performances
This series is a true two-hander, held up entirely by the sensational and electric chemistry between its two lead powerhouses, Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys. Aggie Wiggs is arguably one of Danes’ best performances to date, certainly a major contender for Emmy. She is phenomenal. Danes plays Aggie with a raw, relentless intensity, showcasing her vulnerability, compulsiveness, and the sheer force of her grief and determination. The way she embodies a woman fighting to rise from the wreckage of her life by relentlessly hunting for truth is captivating and unforgettable.
On the other hand, we have Rhys, who plays Nile way better than he needed to be. He appears creepy and menacing but also strangely charming and elusive. We’ve seen Rhys play good guys (like in The Americans and Perry Mason), but here, his transformation into a complex, possibly sociopathic villain is mesmerising.
Rhys handles the shift from a man trying to restrain his darker instincts to one who fully accepts them with petrifying ease. His wide-ranging talent is on full display, especially in the finale.
Brittany Snow (Nina Jarvis), Nile’s second wife, does a decent job initially, but she really shines in the later episodes, demonstrating her high talent. Natalie Morales (Shelly), Aggie’s ex-wife, and Breaking Bad fame, Jonathan Banks (Martin Jarvis), Nile’s formidable father, also deliver commendable and strong supporting performances, adding necessary weight to the drama.
Analysis
The Beast in Me is a clever, taut psychological thriller that delves deep into the darker parts of human nature. The series explores themes of grief, obsession, class, and the nature of evil. The central premise is that everyone has a “beast” inside them, a capacity for heinous acts driven by pain, wrath, or just primal instinct.
The tension slowly but surely develops, with showrunner Gabe Rotter (in his first major project) guiding a gripping story that is supported immensely by the lead actors. The show’s cleverness lies in how the characters spark off each other, constantly blurring the lines between who is the predator and who is the prey, and whether they are uncovering a killer or just finding a mirror for their own darkest selves.
While the plot has enough twists and turns to keep you hooked, it occasionally becomes a bit predictable towards the end, particularly when resolving the main mystery. However, the series tends to focus more on the psychological damage and toxic connection between Aggie and Nile, which keeps the series in the category of top-tier television, rather than the conventional “who’s the real culprit?” format.
Overall, The Beast in Me is a brilliant psychological thriller powered by the sensational, Emmy-worthy chemistry between Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys. Despite minor predictability, the series is highly recommended for its top-tier performances and compelling, dark exploration of obsession and grief.
Music and Other Departments?
While the camera work and cinematography are generally decent, the musical score and editing truly stand out. The music enhances the consistently tense and haunting atmosphere of the series. A particular highlight is the title sequence at the beginning of every episode, which is beautifully edited and sets the perfect ominous tone for the darkness to follow.
Highlights?
Matthew Rhys delivers a brilliantly creepy performance
Claire Danes’ performance
Chemistry between the leading duo
Tense, Gripping Story
Outstanding Production
Drawbacks?
Pacing feels slow in some parts
Becomes a bit predictable in the end
Some supporting storylines feel less fleshed out
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, if you enjoy psychological thrillers that are a bit long and don’t mind the runtime.
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The Beast In Me Netflix Series Review by M9
