Coming Soon: Beast of War (2025) by Kiah Roache-Turner: A WWII Shark-Infested Nightmare
- dailyentertainment95
- Aug 24
- 6 min read
About the movie: Survival in a Sea of Blood. This Australian horror-thriller is directed by Kiah Roache-Turner, the acclaimed filmmaker behind the Wyrmwood franchise and the horror film Sting. Beast of War is a genre-bending film that blends the historical intensity of a World War II survival story with the visceral terror of a monster movie. Loosely inspired by the true story of the sinking of the HMAS Armidale in 1942, the film is a brutal, action-packed spectacle that uses a combination of practical effects and CGI to bring its terrifying predator to life.
Short Summary: The Ultimate Predator of the Deep
When an Australian warship is sunk by Japanese fighter jets during World War II, the surviving soldiers are left clinging to a makeshift raft in the vast Timor Sea, where they must fight an even more deadly foe: a massive, bloodthirsty great white shark. Beast of War follows a group of young Australian soldiers who, after a devastating attack, find themselves stranded in the middle of the ocean. Already weakened and injured, they soon realize they are being stalked by a colossal great white shark. The film becomes a tense and bloody battle for survival, as the men must use their wits, their limited resources, and their military training to fend off the relentless beast.
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29468874/
About movie: https://brontepictures.com/beast-of-war/
Release date: October 10 (theatrical release).
Detailed Summary: From War to Watery Grave
The film opens with a group of Australian soldiers, including the Indigenous soldier Leo (Mark Coles Smith) and his squadmates, aboard a warship on the way to the frontlines of World War II. The characters are quickly established, highlighting the interpersonal tensions, including the racism directed at Leo.
The ship is suddenly attacked by Japanese warplanes, and in a chaotic and explosive sequence, it is sunk. A handful of men manage to survive the attack, clinging to a piece of floating wreckage in the vast, foggy Timor Sea.
As they float, hopes of rescue fade, and the real horror begins. A gigantic, milky-eyed great white shark begins to circle their makeshift raft, drawn to the blood in the water. The shark, nicknamed "Shazza" by the crew, is relentless and intelligent, making quick and bloody work of the soldiers one by one.
The men, armed with a few rounds of ammunition and some grenades, must work together to fight the beast. The film’s narrative is a non-stop, action-packed struggle for survival that balances terrifying, gory encounters with moments of dark humor. It is a thrilling mix of a war film and a creature feature.
Director's Vision: Gung-Ho Horror
A Gloriously Schlocky Genre Mash-Up
Director Kiah Roache-Turner, known for his unique blend of action, horror, and dark comedy, applies his signature style to this historical setting. His vision was to create a gung-ho, fun-filled monster movie that pays homage to classics like Jaws, rather than a grim historical drama.
Roache-Turner intentionally embraces a heightened, almost "adventure comics" feel. This is complemented by the use of practical effects for the shark, including a large animatronic puppet, which gives the creature a tangible and visceral presence that is often missing from modern CGI-heavy shark films.
The director also subtly weaves in important themes, particularly the experience of Indigenous Australian soldiers during WWII, giving the film a layer of unexpected depth.
Themes: Humanity vs. The Wild
Man vs. Nature: The film is a classic survival story, pitting human ingenuity and military might against the primal, unstoppable force of nature. The shark is a symbol of a threat that cannot be reasoned with or defeated by conventional means.
Comradeship and Prejudice: The film explores the bonds forged in combat, as well as the ugly realities of prejudice, as Leo must not only fight the beast but also navigate the subtle racism from his own fellow soldiers.
The Horror of War: While the shark is the primary antagonist, the film's brutal opening sequence serves as a reminder of the senseless violence of war, which sets the stage for the animalistic horror that follows.
Key Success Factors: Practical Effects and Strong Performances
A Return to Old-School Terror
Practical Effects: The film’s decision to use a large animatronic shark, aided by modern visual effects, has been a major point of praise. It gives the monster a terrifying realism that many recent shark films have lacked.
Mark Coles Smith's Lead Performance: Mark Coles Smith delivers a standout performance as Leo, grounding the fantastical premise with a sense of dignity and gravitas that makes his character compelling and relatable.
A Perfect Festival Fit: The film's blend of action, horror, and dark humor made it a perfect fit for genre film festivals like the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) and Fantastic Fest, where it has received significant attention.
Fast-Paced Action: With an efficient 87-minute runtime, the film is a non-stop, adrenaline-fueled ride that moves from one tense sequence to the next without a single wasted moment.
Awards and Nominations: A Festival Contender
An Indie Darling with Growing Buzz The film was an official selection at the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) and is also slated to debut at Fantastic Fest in late 2025. While no major awards have been announced yet, its selection at these prestigious festivals has generated significant positive buzz.
Critics Reception: A Snappy, Gung-Ho Nightmare
Gore and Grit Win Over Critics
The Guardian: Called the film a "snappingly well-paced and gung-ho film" and praised its blend of historical context and "gloriously schlocky" shark terror. The review highlighted its effective use of a "woozy nightmare" aesthetic.
ScreenHub: Described the film as a "snappy WWII nightmare on water" and a "gloriously schlocky" action-packed adventure. The review gave it 4 out of 5 stars and praised the casting of Mark Coles Smith in the lead role.
Overall Summary: The critical reception is highly positive, with critics celebrating the film's fun, unapologetic genre approach, its well-executed practical effects, and its standout lead performance.
Reviews: A Brutal But Brilliant Watch
Fans Rave About a New Shark King
User reviews from early festival screenings have described the film as a "brutal feeding frenzy" and a "perfectly-executed genre film."
Many have called it a "proper shark film," with the use of a practical shark being a major selling point.
Overall Summary: The film is seen as a refreshing and exciting return to form for the shark-horror genre, with its old-school effects and fast-paced action earning it a cult following before its official release.
Release date on streaming: A Digital Premiere
Awaiting VOD and Streaming Release The film is set to be released in theaters and on digital platforms on October 10, 2025, from Well Go USA Entertainment.
Theatrical Release: A Festival Run
Limited Theatrical Debut The film had a limited theatrical and festival run in late 2025, with its primary release at festivals like MIFF. A wider theatrical release is set for October 10, 2025.
Why to Watch This Movie: A Blood-Soaked Adventure
For a New Kind of Horror-Action Film
A Masterclass in Practical Effects: If you are a fan of old-school practical effects and animatronics, this film’s monstrous shark is a reason to watch alone.
A Blistering Pace: At 87 minutes, the film is a lean, mean, blood-soaked machine that doesn't waste a single moment.
A Great Performance from a Rising Star: Mark Coles Smith’s performance elevates the film beyond a simple monster movie, making his journey truly compelling.
Movie Trend: Creature Features and Practical Effects
A Revitalization of the Creature Feature Genre The film is part of a growing trend in horror to move away from over-reliance on CGI and embrace practical effects, animatronics, and puppeteering. This movement is seen as a reaction to years of poorly rendered CGI creatures and is a return to a more tangible and visceral form of monster horror.
Social Trend: The Underdog Story
The Fight for Survival Against All Odds The film taps into the timeless social trend of the underdog story, where a small group of individuals is forced to fight against overwhelming odds. The soldiers’ struggle for survival against a powerful and relentless foe resonates with a universal human desire to see courage and perseverance triumph in the face of impossible circumstances.
Final Verdict: A Triumphant and Unforgettable Thrill Ride
A Bold, Gory, and Genuinely Fun Horror Spectacle Beast of War is a triumphant and unforgettable genre film that proves that a great monster movie can still be made. With its bold vision, excellent use of practical effects, and a fantastic lead performance, it is a thrilling and bloody spectacle that is sure to become a cult classic. It is a must-watch for fans of both war films and creature features and a testament to the power of a director with a clear and unapologetic vision.
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