The Beast, Bertrand Bonello‘s time-hopping cosmic romance starring Lea Seydoux and George MacKay, has been acquired by Sideshow and Janus Films for the U.S. A theatrical release is planned for 2024.
The film, which had its world premiere in competition at the Venice Film Festival, later screened in Toronto and has just had its U.S. premiere at the New York Film Festival, was written and directed by Bonello (Saint Laurent), and is based on the Henry James novella The Beast in the Jungle. Guslagie Malanda, Dasha Nekrasova, Martin Scali, Élina Löwensohn, Marta Hoskins, Julia Faure, Kester Lovelace, Félicien Pinot and Laurent Lacote also star.
Set in the near future where artificial intelligence reigns supreme and human emotions have become a threat, The Beast sees Gabrielle (Seydoux) attempt to purify her DNA by going back into her past lives. There, she reunites with Louis (MacKay), her great love. But she is overcome by fear, a premonition that catastrophe is on the way.
“Bertrand Bonello has made a bold, provocative and beautifully made film asking major questions about our humanity in the age of AI, featuring knockout performances by Léa Seydoux and George MacKay,” said Sideshow and Janus in a statement. “We are excited to bring this to theaters across the country.”
The deal was negotiated by Sideshow and Janus Films with Kinology on behalf of the filmmakers. The film is co-produced by Nancy Grant and Xavier Dolan, Arte France Cinéma, Ami Paris and Jamal Zeinal-Zade.
