REVIEW: “Beast of War” (2025)

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Kiah Roache-Turner’s “Beast of War” is a surprisingly effective blend of World War II drama and classic shark-attack thrills. While set during WWII, the film is fundamentally a well-made shark movie, and a genuinely good one. Roache-Turner expertly handles both the characters and the genre elements, and the cast delivers strong, focused performances.

The film gets off to a promising start with its opening scenes. Though not groundbreaking, director Roache-Turner takes the time to develop his characters, showing us their experiences in boot camp. Set in 1942, the film introduces a group of eager young Australian soldiers preparing for war. Between training exercises, they joke around, playfully fight, play rugby, and flirt with the nurses stationed at the camp. While some characters initially feel a bit like stereotypes, it doesn’t become distracting. These early moments help make the later violence feel more impactful.

Among the diverse soldiers is Leo (Mark Cole Smith), a dedicated and capable indigenous man who receives significantly less pay than his white counterparts and faces constant prejudice from a boisterous, bigoted fellow soldier named Des (Sam Delich). Despite this, Leo earns the respect of his unit through his kindness and strength. He’s not afraid to stand up for himself, but he also shows genuine compassion, particularly when he mentors a struggling teammate, Will (Joel Nankervis).

The situation becomes critical when the soldiers are sent out. While crossing the Timor Sea, their ship is unexpectedly attacked by Japanese planes and quickly sinks. Just eight men survive, and three are seriously injured. They’re left clinging to a small piece of the ship’s wreckage, surrounded by thick fog. This is where their fight for survival truly begins, but they soon discover they face dangers beyond just finding food, water, and medical help.

Leo takes charge, and the group starts to formulate a plan. However, their efforts are immediately disrupted when a massive great white shark attacks, grabbing a soldier and dragging him underwater – a clear nod to the classic film “Jaws.” From that point on, the director fully embraces the over-the-top shark attack genre, delivering a relentless series of terrifying battles between humans and the beast.

The film deserves praise for not relying solely on repetitive shark attacks. Despite the limited setting of soldiers stranded on a floating piece of wreckage, the director finds remarkably inventive ways to eliminate them, ensuring each death is unique. He fully embraces over-the-top, classic B-movie gore, but it’s the impressive practical effects – from the gruesome injuries to the incredible half-ton animatronic shark – that truly stand out and make the film a success.

“Beast of War” is a thrilling, visually impressive film that will satisfy fans of the genre. Director Roache-Turner adds his own unique style, preventing it from feeling like just another predictable movie. Strong acting, particularly from Smith, well-developed characters, and impressive practical effects elevate the experience. The film also includes surprising moments of humor. All of this is delivered in a brisk 87 minutes, keeping the story focused and engaging.

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2025-12-23 17:57