Story of multi-ethnic Gen Z-ers in the southern US is more interested in checking off a list of liberal talking points than lending its characters depth
Here’s another indie flick that mistakes handheld camera movements for emotional intimacy. Produced by Alec Baldwin, Danny Madden’s second feature has a host of characters and storylines that are just as empty and unfocused as the migraine-inducing cinematography. Revolving around of group of multi-ethnic Gen Z-ers in the
American south, this message-heavy film tries hard to tackle urgent issues such as
Social Media, familial conflicts and, above all, gun violence. The film only succeeds at peddling barely tolerable coming-of-age cliches.
The kids in Beast Beast hail from all walks of life. There is Krista (Shirley Chen), a spunky Asian theatre kid who blooms on stage yet wilts at home in the presence of her neglectful parents. She is charmed by Nito (Jose Angeles), a new Latino student from a much rougher side of town with a knack for skateboarding tricks. Looming over their sweet rendezvous is the quietly unsettling presence of Adam (Will Madden), a white firearms “enthusiast” who is obsessed with making gun vlogs. He rarely leaves his parents’ home and prefers stewing over malicious online comments.