Frightfest 2024: ‘The Monster Beneath Us’ Review

Stars: Jack Forsyth-Noble, Nicola Wright, Becca Hirani, Marshall Hawkes, Jennifer Lim, Sue Kelly, Karl Hughes, Alice Mukunku, Tom Ryan | Written and Directed by Sophie Osbourne

Set in Yorkshire in 1898, The Monster Beneath Us begins by showing a man in distress. Residing in his country house, Lord James Abbington (Jack Forsyth-Noble) is worrying housekeeper Mrs. Gray (Nicola Wright) about how unwell he appears. What is the cause for his erratic behaviour? That is uncertain, as he soon becomes unnerved at the sight of a shadowed figure emerging before him, and the situation ends with James using a gun to take his own life.

The story then takes a calmer approach, as James’ grieving wife, Lady Grace Abbington (Becca Hirani), arrives by carriage with her young son, Charles (Marshall Hawkes). They move into the manor intent on settling affairs, a decision intended to be temporary, as mounting debts amassed by her ex-husband leaves Grace intent on selling the home. However, the mother and son soon discover that something else is living within the house.

Each year at FrightFest, the festival utilizes the First Blood strand to shine a spotlight on emerging British talent. Among the 2024 alumni is writer/director Sophie Osbourne, who crafts this slow-burn tale about grappling with grief during a time when it was considered uncouth to openly discuss such matters. The lead performances tremendously reflect this troubling time their characters are going through, as they feel emotionally isolated while resorting to bottling up their feelings.

Their methods of coping with grief and loss prove to be unhealthy and hazardous, with Grace turning to pills while Charles seeks to befriend the creature living in the basement. There are many effective scenes of them struggling with their inner troubles, particularly when Grace’s unpleasant mother-in-law arrives for an unwelcome visit, yet characterisation feels scarce outside of the central conceit. Despite some included dream sequences, there appears to be little opportunity to learn who these characters are outside of their grief-stricken woes.

Working in tandem to bring alive the setting is a gothic aesthetic and chilly atmosphere, effectively breathing life into this country home where the monster resides in the basement. As Charles ventures forth to play with the monster, it becomes an unsettling game of waiting for him to realize the danger he is truly in. Unfortunately, matters become less effective whenever the creature is shown, as the combination of unremarkable visual effects and an unfortunate design make for something disappointing to see. There is also the feeling that this 103-minute allegory for grief feels longer than necessary, yet that does not dampen how The Monster Beneath Us holds promise for Sophie Osbourne as a filmmaker.

**½  2.5/5

The Monster Beneath Us screened as part of this year’s Frightfest London.