Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this suspenseful made-for-TV movie includes occasionally bloody violence and multiple scenes of gun use. Frightening werewolves hunt and attack humans, biting them to pass along the curse or, in one case, devouring them altogether (the act isn't shown, but a character is said to have died this way). When humans shoot a werewolf to protect themselves, his wounds heal instantly without affecting him at all. There's drinking, references to drug use (two teens seek out herbs that will get them high), kissing scenes and allusions to sexual activity (including mention of orgasm and being "in the mood"), and some iffy language (mostly "hell," "ass," and "damn").
Families can talk about the appeal of movies and TV shows based on folklore and legends. Do you enjoy stories about creatures like werewolves, ghosts, and vampires? Where do these stories come from? What does science say about them? What are some of your other favorite legends? Families can also discuss media violence. Do you think there's a difference in how people respond to realistic violence (war scenes, murder) and fantasy violence (werewolf attacks, futuristic laser battles)? Is one type more damaging than the other? Why or why not?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Emily Ashby
In NATURE OF THE BEAST, a young woman stretches the old adage "love conquers all" to the limits as she tries to rescue her fiancé from an ancient curse that threatens their future together.
It's weeks before her wedding, and starry-eyed Julia (Autumn Reeser) is beginning to question whether her beloved might be hiding something from her beyond the traditional cold feet. Suddenly the quirky aspects of his personality aren't so easy to overlook, and although she's grown used to Rich's (Eddie Kaye Thomas) monthly excursions to a mysterious cabin in the woods, she no longer takes for granted his explanation that he's working on his doctoral thesis.
But the more she tries to get him to open up to her, the more he evades the subject, leaving Julia feeling confused and unsatisfied. It's not until a weekend visit to her family's home that Rich's secret is revealed: He's actually a werewolf, and his monthly excursions are his way of protecting others from his darker, more dangerous side.
Rich might have expected that news like that would send his fiancée running for the hills, but instead Julia sets her sights on finding a cure for his affliction. Despite his assurances that he can lead a normal life (with a few minor tweaks here and there), her research leads him to seek out the creature that bit him four years earlier; its death would free Rich from the curse he's under.
But hunting the creature down and killing it proves to be more difficult -- and more personal -- than Rich could have imagined. In the end, it's Julia's devotion to her fiancé that's the deciding factor in whether he's able to conquer his inner demon.
Rooted in legend and mysticism, Nature of the Beast is entertaining -- if at times a bit hokey -- but it's certainly not meant for tweens or younger/sensitive teens. Special effects make the human-to-werewolf transformations surprisingly seamless, and violence is at times both bloody and related to gun use. Snarling, vicious werewolves hunt and attack their victims (one of whom is said to have died); for one, bullet wounds instantly heal without lasting injury.
It's not really extreme enough to be considered "horror," but couple the violence with the movie's tense suspense, drinking/drug references, and language, and it's probably best reserved for sturdy teens and adults ... if you want to avoid the stuff that frightful dreams are made of.
Fans might also enjoy the '80s flick Teen Wolf or Little Shop of Horrors. More family-friendly TV choices include The Munsters and The Addams Family.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentSeveral kissing scenes and references to sex (a couple talks about "being in the mood," a woman mentions orgasms, college guys talk about "getting laid," sex lives are discussed, etc.). In one scene, sex between an engaged couple is implied (they kiss, then it cuts to them in bed together). The size of werewolf genitals is discussed. An unmarried couple lives together. |
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ViolenceMany scenes include gun use, and characters aim weapons at both humans and werewolves. A werewolf's bullet wounds heal instantly after he's shot. Snarling, slobbering werewolves hunt and attack humans, and a few scenes briefly show violent, bloody bites (throat, thigh). A mutilated raccoon is shown, and there's discussion of a man disfiguring corpses. A minor character is said to have died from an attack. Human-to-werewolf transformations include a lot of screaming and moaning. A woman stabs a werewolf, who bursts into flames and evaporates. |
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LanguageFairly infrequent use of expletives like "ass," "bitch," "hell," and "damn." |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoTwo teens raid a man's personal belongings for potential drugs and take Wolfsbane, excitedly saying it's "bound to make you high." In a later scene, their drug use is implied as they talk about smoking away their problems and hallucinating. One scene also shows a group of friends drinking excessive amounts of beer. |
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