The Beast In Me

Netflix hasn’t been delivering consistent surprises lately, so The Beast in Me felt like an unexpected win. The pacing is deliberately slow, but the suspense accumulates in every episode, tightening its grip until the finale. While the ending is not entirely unpredictable, it feels earned rather than rushed and refreshingly complete. The story knows when to stop, which is becoming a rare virtue in streaming television these days.

Clare Danes anchors the show with undeniable skill, even when her facial expressions veer toward the exaggerated. Her grief-heavy portrayal is sometimes visually relentless, but it also feels authentic. Matthew Rhys, however, is the quiet standout. As Niles Jarvis, he inhabits the role of a serial killer with unsettling ease, offering a character who is disturbingly self-aware, almost omniscient about his own darkness. Brittany Snow adds emotional texture as Nina, the unsuspecting second wife, and the show leaves you curious about her past with Niles—an intentional gap that works very well until revealed.

What ultimately worked the most was the psychological framework built around the three central characters—Niles, Agatha, and Nina. The series explores moral intention versus consequence with nuance, particularly through Agatha’s well-meaning but damaging choices.

For a debut major screen project from creator Gabe Rotter, The Beast in Me is impressive, intense, and free of filler. This unsettling psychological thriller earns its impact through discomfort rather than cheap thrills.

Netflix mini-series.

Genre – Crime Thriller

Rating – 4.5/5