Kit Harington is genuinely terrifying in new horror movie The Beast Within (spoiler-free review)

Deep in the English wilds, a man harboring a dark secret attempts to live a normal, quiet life with his wife and daughter. As is often the case with horror stories like this one, things quickly go awry. The Beast Within is a darkly spellbinding new film that really leans into its gothic roots. However, the real attraction to this movie is Game of Thrones alum Kit Harington. You've never seen Harington quite like this before.

The synopsis and trailer more or less give away the fact that his character undergoes a monstrous transformation, something he and his wife (Ashleigh Cummings) have been trying to hide from their young daughter Willow (Caoilinn Springall, who was also great in Stopmotion).

Harington is genuinely scary here, and it's a necessary addition to the film, as the werewolf elements are mostly hidden to build suspense. The terror and suspense really hinge on Harington's performance in his human form, and you'll walk away from The Beat Within with a renewed appreciation for his acting talents.

It's not often we get werewolf stories these days. They've never been quite as popular as vampires. But The Beast Within is a lot more insular and emotional than your typical fantasy tale about the monsters. I won't spoil any of the major plot points here but there is a lot to like about The Beast Within, particularly the performances. It's not just Harington who excels, Cummings and Springall are both phenomenal as his co-stars.

The Beast Within can be a little predictable at times, odds are you might predict what direction things are going before the end, but the actors are so good, so riveting, and believable as a family struggling against seemingly neverending violence stemming from an ancestral secret, that it's easy to see past the minor flaws.

Funnily enough, the film would make an excellent companion to another horror movie released this week, Starve Acre, which stars House of the Dragon's Matt Smith. But while Starve Acre is more folk horror, The Beast Within falls more into the dark fairytale category.

The Beast Within hits theaters this Friday, July 26. To stay up to date on thrillers, sci-fi, and horror, bookmark 1428 Elm and follow our Facebook page and Twitter account!