‘The Beast in Me’ Review: A Sharp, Dark Netflix Thriller

The Beast in Me, now streaming on Netflix, is a psychological suspense drama that grips the viewer with its unsettling tone and lingering emotional weight. Across eight episodes, the show delves into the hidden corners of the human mind, where trauma, secrets and past wounds slowly reshape the present.

The narrative is driven by the burden of long-held secrets and the corrosive effect they can have on those who carry them. From the opening scenes, the series establishes a world where nothing is fully stated, and every conversation hides an unspoken layer. Creator Gabe Rotter uses silence and atmosphere as narrative tools, often delivering more impact than loud or dramatic music cues.

Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys headline the cast, both bringing the emotional complexity required for the show’s brooding tone. Their presence, however, may also subtly hint at the power dynamics and mysteries viewers will try to decode. Still, their performances anchor the series and elevate its dramatic tension.

Plot Without Spoilers

The story follows Agatha Wiggs (Claire Danes), an author grieving the loss of her son, who died in a road accident years earlier. Aggie blames truck driver Teddy for the tragedy, though he was never held accountable. Her life becomes one of isolation, defined by anger and unresolved trauma.

Everything changes when wealthy real-estate developer Nile Jarvis (Matthew Rhys) and his wife Nina (Brittany Snow) move into the neighbourhood. Aggie soon learns that Jarvis’ first wife, Madison, went missing six years ago, and suspicion had once pointed toward him. From here, the series sets up a tense cat-and-mouse dynamic between Aggie and Nile, exploring whether the past can ever truly stay buried.

Themes and Performances

The Beast in Me blends psychological suspense with themes of grief, vengeance, and the facades people maintain to hide their darker impulses. Danes delivers a layered performance, portraying Aggie’s fragility and rage with striking nuance. Rhys, on the other hand, plays Nile with an enigmatic presence that keeps viewers guessing.

The show avoids revealing its central mystery too quickly, keeping the identity of its psychopath hidden until the final episode. While there are moments where the narrative leans into familiar thriller tropes, the overall execution remains compelling, thanks to well-crafted characters and sharp writing.

Beyond the thriller aspects, the series explores how trauma shapes behaviour and how even the most composed individuals may spiral when confronted with old wounds. Gabe Rotter and Daniel Pearle infuse the narrative with emotional depth, ensuring the story lingers long after the final scene.

Rating: 3.5/5