Directed by Tyler Atkins and co-written by Russell Crowe, the Australian martial arts drama Beast follows a familiar playbook: a down-and-out fighter gets a second chance in the ring. While the plot is predictable, the film manages to keep viewers invested through its small deviations and strong performances.
The story centres on mixed martial arts fighter Patton James (Daniel MacPherson), who wins a big fight but then hits hard times. Ten years later, he is living south of Sydney, struggling to pay bills, and working on a fishing boat. He is happily married to Luciana (Kelly Gale) with a daughter and another child on the way.
When the reigning champion Xavier Grau (Bren Foster) and his manager (Luke Hemsworth) offer Patton a six-figure sum to fight, he initially refuses. However, after his estranged brother Malon (Mojean Aria) is severely beaten by Xavier, Patton accepts the challenge, piling on emotional stakes involving family, finances, and his old trainer Sammy (Russell Crowe).
MacPherson delivers a strong, stoic performance, while Crowe makes every scene count despite being under-used. The film builds towards a big final showdown, but its strength lies in exploring the protagonist's inner turmoil. The writing and staging avoid being overly heavy-handed, and the polished cinematography features an intensely hued colour palette.
While Beast may feel like a 'been there, done that' narrative, it demonstrates why the 'back from retirement' story template remains popular. It lands its punches effectively, making it a worthwhile watch for fans of the genre.
Beast is in cinemas now and on digital platforms from 1 June in the UK and US, and on Stan in Australia from 4 June.
