The Psychological Thrill of ‘The Beast in Me’
Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys in The Beast in Me | Credit: Netflix
Aggie Wiggs (Claire Danes) is a writer who begins investigating her neighbor, Nile Jarvis (Matthew Rhys), and discovers more than she imagined.
The highlight of this show is the two leads. Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys have both made names for themselves in some incredibly iconic TV shows. We’ve come to expect excellent performances from both of them, and they don’t disappoint in The Beast in Me.
Claire Danes brilliantly embodies Aggie, this grieving mother who is struggling to move forward with her life. She’s written a best-selling novel and is under contract for another one, but the words simply aren’t coming. Her house is falling apart, but she is unable to move. She is stuck in every way imaginable, and you feel that in Danes’ performance.
Opposite her is Rhys’ Nile Jarvis, who is every bit as sinister as you’d expect from the rich developer with a shady past. I was particularly impressed by the way that Rhys balances charisma with menace. Even in the moments when he’s being charming, there’s something about him that you just don’t trust. There’s an intense sense of unease, especially in those moments when Aggie is alone with Nile.
These two characters are complete opposites of each other, which makes for some wonderfully tense moments. Aggie’s fragility is constantly top of mind, especially as she dives further into Nile’s world. The Beast in Me steadily ups the stakes and tension as the show progresses, creating more danger for Aggie.
Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys in The Beast in Me | Credit: Netflix
The Beast in Me is an effective thriller that boasts great performances. While it doesn’t innovate anything within the genre, it doesn’t need to. The show does an excellent job highlighting some of the ways that rich and powerful people increase their wealth and hang onto their influence—and the lengths they will go to keep those. And the way this show interweaves wealth and politics is particularly hard-hitting given the state of America today.
This show moves at a methodical pace, pulling apart the threads of Aggie and Nile’s lives, though the final episode does feel a bit rushed, with some things feeling a little too convenient. However, the ending is satisfying enough that it doesn’t ruin the entire show.
The Beast in Me is a fun time, especially if you’re in the mood for a psychological thriller with some things to say about capitalism, greed, and the secrets we keep. It features a look at the complicated realities of loss and grief and what it means to be stuck in them. There is depth to this story, in addition to some fantastic performances from Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys.
If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers, consider checking this out. It’s currently streaming on Netflix.