Ryan Hachem
Among the films currently showing at Grand Cinemas, The Beast turns one of the world’s most heavily protected vehicles into the setting for a fight to survive. Directed by Renny Harlin and written by Umair Aleem, the action thriller stars Samuel L. Jackson as the President of the United States, alongside Joel Kinnaman as Secret Service agent Taft and Guy Burnet in a supporting role.
The story begins when a coordinated attack throws an international summit into chaos. As the security operation collapses, President Oscar Palladin takes refuge inside the armoured presidential limousine known as “The Beast.” With Taft seriously wounded and reliable support out of reach, the two men find themselves trapped in a hostile city, forced to navigate the unfolding assault and find a way to safety.
The limousine is central to what makes the film work. Built to withstand extreme threats, it offers protection but also limits the men’s options as danger closes in. Harlin makes effective use of this confined setting, contrasting the relative safety inside the vehicle with the violence beyond its windows. Explosions, gunfire and sudden attacks turn the journey into a series of escalating obstacles, keeping the action focused and immediate.
Samuel L. Jackson brings his familiar authority and sharp-edged humour to President Palladin, giving the character presence even as events slip beyond his control. Joel Kinnaman provides a more physically grounded performance as Taft, whose injuries make every confrontation harder to endure. Their exchanges add character to the action and help sustain the tension between the larger set pieces.
The film is strongest when it concentrates on their struggle to survive. The central premise gives the action a clear sense of direction, and the performances keep the two men engaging as their situation deteriorates. However, the political conspiracy behind the attack lacks some of the depth its scale demands, while the repeated assaults occasionally make the action feel predictable. The Beast works better as a survival thriller than as a complex political drama.
Despite these shortcomings, Harlin delivers a brisk action film with a distinctive setting and two leads who hold the story together. The armoured limousine gives the film a clear visual identity, while Jackson and Kinnaman provide enough friction and chemistry to keep the conflict compelling. It may not reinvent the genre, but it makes effective use of its central premise and maintains its momentum throughout.
Currently showing at Grand Cinemas. Follow our website for the latest movie schedule and upcoming screenings.
