The Beast in Me Review:
If you’re looking for a psychological thriller that sifts through grief, obsession, and power dynamics—and does so with enough style to keep you watching past your bedtime—then The Beast in Me just might hit the mark. Streaming now on Netflix, this eight‑episode limited series brings together heavyweights Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys in a moody, gripping bout of tension, secrets, and “what’s really going on?” moments.
What’s it about?
Danes plays Aggie Wiggs, an acclaimed writer who’s been cocooning herself in grief after a tragic loss. Enter Rhys’s Nile Jarvis: the new neighbour, a billionaire real-estate mogul, maybe charming, maybe creepy, definitely under suspicion. Aggie becomes fascinated by him, starts digging, and we’re off into that classic “cat and mouse” terrain—except here the mouse might be the one setting the traps.
Why I think you’ll want to watch it
The lead dynamic is electric. Danes and Rhys bounce off each other in a way that feels alive. You feel the tension, the distrust, the underlying attraction, even when they’re just sitting in a room together.
Mood and tone are on point. The setting (a slightly eerie suburban estate, unfinished renovations, a house next door that’s a little too pristine) amplifies the psychological undercurrent. It’s less about overt jump scares, more about unease creeping in.
It deals with big themes. Grief, complicity, power, how trauma can make us both hunter and hunted—there’s a lot to chew on, should you want to dig deeper.
A few caveats
The overall plot isn’t totally original. Real estate moguls, missing spouses, haunted authors—we’ve seen shades of this before. Indeed, while the first half sucks you in, the later episodes lean into familiar territory.
The supporting characters are strong, but they don’t always get the screen time or development you might hope for. Sometimes it’s clear the show wants to stay focused on the lead pair, which is fine—just know what you’re signing up for.
It asks you to sit with discomfort. This isn’t light summer TV—it’s introspective, slow‑burning. If you’re expecting non‑stop thrills, this might feel more simmer than boil.
My verdict
I enjoyed it. It’s smart, stylish, and anchored by actors at the top of their game. Will it be the best thing you’ll watch this year? Maybe not—but it’ll absolutely be one of the more compelling ones. If you’ve got a few hours free, start this, commit to the vibe, and you might find yourself invested in Aggie and Nile long past the first episode.
Bottom line:
If you love character‑driven thrillers that make your spine tingle a little and your brain engage a lot, give The Beast in Me a try this weekend.
