“Gives sense of an artist burrowing deep inside his material (and his moment) and emerging with something vital. It’s fearless filmmaking.” - Adam Nayman, The Ringer
“It’s a big swing for the fences from the singular French filmmaker and one that absolutely pays off.” - Hannah Strong, Little White Lies
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 (Léa Seydoux) continually falls in love with different incarnations of Louis (George MacKay). 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, The Beast in the Jungle, 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. (Janus Films)
Awards & Nominations
Nominee - Gold Lion, Venice Film Festival
Be Kind, Rewind: Join us as we review the best and biggest films from 2024––from favorite titles that graced the Film Center’s screens, to movies that thrilled audiences across the country. As the days left on 2024’s calendar slip past, the Film Center invites you to consider how these films reveal not just the movies of the year, but 2024 itself. Read more
The Film Center is ADA accessible. This presentation will be projected without open captions. The theater is hearing-loop equipped. For accessibility requests, please email filmcenter@saic.edu