Tyler Atkin’s 2026 film Beast is a conflicting ride beginning to end centring around Patton James (Daniel MacPherson) a retired MMA fighter who is pulled back into the ring after quiet years raising a family. The action-packed film also stars Luke Hemsworth and Russell Crowe, the latter producing and co-writing the feature.

Beast has an ambitious premise, and seemingly promises gripping story and action. But unfortunately, while the film has moments of excitement, it struggles to keep any interest for it’s entirety causing for a second viewing simultaneously… a watch face,  

The pacing of the film lets it down as a plot that appears on paper to be gripping, somehow has a story that drags considerably for the most part. What should have been an exciting couple of hours instead becomes tiresome. There are hints of a stronger film in there but it is frustrating to see it miss the mark on many moments.

That said, Beast is far from a dull watch. The film's standout is unquestionably its stunt and fight choreography as well as their lead performances. Every major action sequence is finely tuned and incredibly detailed which keeps your attention and delivers on the promise of impactful and immersive scenes. It showcases well balanced performance with authentic emotional and physical brutality with the sport.

It is the fight choreography that you can really see the dedication and passion in the making of this film come through. It livens the film up just when you start to drift attention. While many scenes did drag on more than it felt necessary, it felt almost calculated to throw us in the fights at those low moments as it really pulls you back into the film. While the narrative is picked up by the tension and brutality of the fights it leaves opportunity to look back regretfully at the rest of the film’s set up.

Overall, the leading performances from Daniel MacPherson stays stable throughout, he impresses in his stunt work as well as the emotional pull in quieter scenes. Despite the underwhelming links throughout, the constant is MacPherson’s performance that even when in doubt of the film as a whole he keeps a strong tie to the audience that can securely keep you on the ride from beginning to end.

Beast deserves all the praise for their stylistic and believable stunt work and a deserved spotlight should be shone on Daniel MacPherson for the grounded nature he brings to a complex and conflicted character.

You can catch Beast for digital rent and purchase from today.

Published: 01/06/2026

Written by Lara Edwards