“Among the Beasts” Flirts With First-Class Excitement

Rarely do recent movies have so much intrigue. “Among the Beasts.”

The story shows the bond between a young girl’s guardian and her guardian. The kidnapping of the child occurs quickly, and we witness her benefactor display the kind skills that could make Liam Neeson blush.

(The good variety, that is)

Instead, “Among the Beasts” There are some unexpected turns on the way to an exciting final.

Tory Kittles portrays LT, a veteran of the military who runs a boxing club. He’s tight with his old friend’s daughter, Kayla (Mia Mei Williamson), and their one extended scene together speaks volumes.

He’s kind, dedicated and eager to make amends for some sizable past sin.

Kayla is taken in a short time and LT uses him to capture her. “particular set of skills” To search for her. Except that what happens next is beyond our wildest expectations.

He’s approached by the daughter of a crime kingpin to find her cousin who was similarly abducted. The bond formed in the beginning of the film is nearly forgotten by the plot. It also sends “Among the Beasts” into more familiar territory, and writer/director Matthew Newton can’t compete with previous, superior thrillers.

That’s being kind.

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“Beasts” LT finds the time to spend some time with military veterans. This gives us an insight into the culture but does not build story momentum. Jim Norton, comic ace Jim Norton, also appears. However, he is a bit too good for the role, and his screen time is so limited that he becomes a distraction.

LT’s personal demons also get a close-up, but one harrowing scene of his despair doesn’t gel with the rest of the story.

Interview with Tory Kittles “AMONG THE BEASTS” And “The Equalizer” Series https://t.co/KwegZdcuit via @YouTube #AmongTheBeasts #TheEqualizer #interview #interviews @ToryKittles @randcpmk @GravitasVOD #movies #FilmTwitter

— Rama’s Screen (@RamasScreen) February 7, 2023

Libe Barer (“Sneaky Pete”), cast as the kingpin’s daughter, feels wildly inauthentic from the jump. She’s both quippy and cold, but she’s never believable as part of a larger, unsavory mob.

Her appearance is the first sign that “Beasts” won’t fulfill its considerable promise.

The film’s third act begins as we expect, but Newton’s screenplay drains the inevitable showdown of almost all tension.

One sequence, in particular, goes on, and on, and rather than ratcheting up our emotions, we find them diminished with every passing moment. The fact that it’s part of LT’s head-scratching plan makes matters worse.

None of this is Kittles’ fault. The “Equalizer” actor grounds LT from that opening sequence, making him a wounded warrior capable of almost anything.

That means he could self-destruct or save the kidnapped children. Kittles is so good audiences will give “Beasts” the benefit of the doubt far longer than necessary.

Why? Consider an extended sequence involving a possible villain, played by “Baywatch” alum Jon Bass. It’s gritty and gripping, revealing another side of the thriller template. What if LT and his associates were making things up on the fly, realizing they could be terrorizing an innocent man?

It’s those moments when “Among the Beasts” feels like 2023’s first bona fide sleeper. If only they lasted longer.

HiT or Miss: “Among the Beasts” features a great performance by Tory Kittles and a fascinating first act, but the ensuing story crushes that potential.