{
  "id": 12648404,
  "title": "The Beast Review",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/the-beast-review",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-07T14:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IGN",
    "slug": "ign",
    "url": "https://www.ign.com/articles/the-beast-review-samuel-jackson"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Beast, an action-thriller film directed by Renny Harlin, is set to hit theaters on October 9. The movie stars Samuel L. Jackson as the President of the United States, who must navigate through a chaotic world after terrorists attack and incapacitate his Secret Service detail. Jackson reteams with Harlin, who previously directed The Long Kiss Goodnight and Deep Blue Sea. The film promises a high-concept adventure reminiscent of the classic action-thrillers from earlier times.\n\nThe plot centers around President Jackson, who finds himself trapped inside an armored fortress limousine, aptly named \"The Beast,\" after the terrorist attack. He must drive himself and his wounded Secret Service agent, Taft, portrayed by Joel Kinnaman, through a war zone to reach a designated extraction point. The enemies are unnamed but their firepower and expertise have crippled the U.S. national defense apparatus.\n\nThe film is a non-stop, real-time race through the war-ravaged streets of Los Angeles, capturing the essence of John Carpenter and Walter Hill's old-school style. The Beast is essentially a two-handed film, with Jackson and Kinnaman sharing the screen for most of the runtime. Taft is injured and bleeding in the backseat, but President Jackson refuses to put himself first, even in the face of overwhelming odds.\n\nThe chemistry between Jackson and Kinnaman is palpable, and Jackson's portrayal of a Vietnam War veteran dealing with PTSD adds emotional depth to the film. His character's inner demons are triggered by the attack, making him both a survivor and a haunted soul. The film's action sequences are shot inside the limo, providing 360-degree views of the mayhem, which helps orient the viewer and understand the geography of the car.\n\nThe Beast, despite not being groundbreaking in the action-thriller genre, successfully recaptures the fundamental elements that make these films appealing to audiences.",
  "summary": "Samuel L. Jackson brings a mix of badassery and vulnerability to the role of President of the United States in The Beast, director Renny Harlin's a fun throwback to high-concept action movies of the past.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}