The Beast (La Bête)

The year is 2044: artificial intelligence controls all facets of a stoic society as humans routinely erase their feelings. Hoping to eliminate pain caused by their past-life romances, Gabrielle continually falls in love with different incarnations of Louis. Set first in Belle Époque-era Paris, Louis is a British man who woos her away from a cold husband, then in early 21st Century Los Angeles, he is a disturbed American bent on delivering violent retribution. Will the process allow Gabrielle to fully connect with Louis in the present, or are the two doomed to repeat their previous fates Visually audacious director Bertrand Bonello (Saint Laurent, Nocturama) fashions his most accomplished film to date: a sci-fi epic, inspired by Henry James' turn-of-the-century novella, suffused with mounting dread and a haunting sense of mystery. Punctuated by a career-defining, three-role performance by Seydoux, The Beast poignantly conveys humanity's struggle against dissociative identity and emotionless existence.

‘Bertrand Bonello uncannily utilizes burdensome signs and wonders for maximum insight and agitation.’ Keith Uhlich, Slant Magazine

‘The Beast traverses timelines to show us that the fear of love — how the highs that come with it can pervert into the lowest lows — is just as devastating as not loving at all.’ Lex Briscuso, Inverse

‘Will hook cerebrally receptive audiences with its daring mix of genre elements and hot-button themes.’ Jonathan Romney, Screen International