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Ronny Cox, Bibi Besch, Paul Clemens, Don Gordon, R.G. Armstrong ... see more see more... , Kitty Moffat , L.Q. Jones , Ramsay King , John Dennis Johnston , Ron Soble , Luke Askew , Meshach Taylor , Boyce Holleman , Logan Ramsey , Katherine Moffat

Tom Burman's innovative prosthetic special effects (used to greater effect in later horror films) are the saving grace of The Beast Within. The premise concerns a couple honeymooning in Mississippi. C... read more read more...aroline (Bibi Besch) is brutally raped by a hairy, sub-human monster and gives birth to a child named Michael (Paul Clemens), who appears normal until he hits his teens. At 17, Michael begins to feel strange, and his parents take him back to Mississippi to find out if his problems are related to Caroline's long-ago rape. Once in Mississippi, Michael transforms into a ravenous insect-like creature that roams the countryside, disemboweling innocent victims and feasting on their torsos. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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35% liked it

1,456 ratings

R, 1 hr. 30 min.

Directed by: Philippe Mora

Release Date: February 12, 1982

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DVD Release Date: August 28, 2001

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Stats: 99 reviews

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The Beast Within The Beast Within Paul Clemens in "The Beast Within"
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Flixster Reviews (99)

  • fb500439213
    October 12, 2011
    fb500439213
    There is something perversely horrifying about a foreign entity manipulating you from beyond your control, but 'The Beast Within' is a rancid, leisurely paced inner-demon flick that cannot be taken solemnly due to the flaccid performance from Paul Clemens who only appears clammy ... read moreand disoriented rather than terrified. Add to that, the asinine cicada sound F/X whenever Michael is stimulated are cheesy and cacophonous. The one shining contribution is the pulsating transformation scene in which Michael's skin inflates, peels off and contorts in inexplicably grotesque ways. At least Ronny Cox adds some urbane class to this otherwise strictly gorehound fare.
  • bbcfloridabound
    December 24, 2008
    bbcfloridabound
    This one was from MGM Midnight Movies Double Feature, other Movie is The Bat People. The Seast Within was a excellent flix, but only worth 3 1/2 stars. It was better the expected and had a whole cast of people that normally play weird people in oter movies, it was a good gatherin... read moreg. Movie was going along fine till the beast face swelled up so bad it looked like something out of a kids flick. If they just kept is face the same as it was in mid movie it wouldl have been graet ad make up for that face was incredable. Worth Buying, Yea I guess as long as you get two movies for the price of one.
  • drblood
    August 19, 2007
    drblood
    Cheap looking but nicely gory in places. It's still a terrible movie with an incoherent plot and a transformation scene that takes far too long and ends up being on the wrong side of silly. I thought it was going to be a werewolf movie but it isn't even though it does borrow heav... read moreily from the genre.
    The bladder effects used for the transformation are nicely done for the time but are really dated now.
  • fb50316760
    November 27, 2011
    fb50316760
    Fucking thing lied to me. No werewolves to be had, although there is a terrible transformation sequence thrown in.
  • kingmob6
    August 17, 2009
    kingmob6
    Simply put: A woman is raped shortly after her wedding, then 17 years later her son develops health problems that send she and her husband in search of answers about who (or what) could have been the boy's father.

    There's some interesting practical effects, and the mystery of t... read morehe boy's biological father is intriguing enough, but the jump from 'madman' to the supernatural place the film ends up left me feeling like i missed some element of the plot.

    Possibly worth a rental.
  • RCMerchant
    April 11, 2009
    RCMerchant
    Wow.
    Now here's a movie!
    A woman is raped by some big-ass fugly bug monster and she gives birth to a kid who inheriets some of his Daddy's nasty habits. Like drinking blood,cannibalism,and ripping peoples heads of. And wotta cast! Luke Askew,RG Armstrong,LQ Jones, Ronny Cox!
    ... read moreThe transformation scene is really wild. I seen this in the theater back in '82 at the age of 20...kids were screaming their heads off. Good times. :)
  • charliebrownforever
    April 24, 2007
    charliebrownforever
    Fun 80's crap.
    A woman is raped by a...something. 18 years later, Junior starts having some peculiar growing pains.
    Invite some friends over and pretend you're at the drive in.
  • MrTalbotOO7
    February 11, 2007
    MrTalbotOO7
    Quality horror flick. Great transformation scene, good gore, and some really decent scares. Overlooked gem of a movie. Check it out.

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Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz
October 30, 2008
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

It's a frightfully silly and insignificant horror film, whose only virtue is in the makeup. Full Review

Scott Weinberg
July 26, 2002
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

Gruesome gore is the sole highlight.

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Vincent Canby
August 30, 2004
Vincent Canby, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
September 19, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Christopher Null
February 2, 2003
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

Click to read the article Full Review

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The Beast Within Trivia

  • Who is the first victem of the 'Beast within the Chamber' in Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets. And what is the true name of the creature inside the chamber?  Answer »
  • Since the night that publisher Will Randall was bitten by a wolf, his energy level and confidence had soared, but the beast within was taking him over in "Wolf" (1994). Who played Will Randall?   Answer »
  • In the japanese anime : Naruto,what is the beast that stays within Naruto's body?  Answer »
  • In Labyrinth, what does Sarah find and rescue within the maze?  Answer »
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