The Beast (2016)
A Croatian short drama about aging, power, and the strange force that shatters a century-old bond between mother and daughter.
The Beast - Movie Information
- Original Title: Zvjerka
- Release Year: 2016
- Directed by: Daina Oniunas-Pusić
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 20m
- Original Language: Croatian
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 30, 2016 (United States)
- Production Companies: Slavica Film
- Production Countries: Croatia
The Beast - Plot
A hundred year old woman called Nada and her 75-year old daughter Vera have a tense but familiar relationship. The childlike Vera takes care of her frail, mute though at times cruel, mother until one evening a bat flies into Nada's room and starts hibernating underneath her bed. The animal's presence gradually reinvigorates the old woman, eternally and fatally changing the relationship between mother and daughter.
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The Beast - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Daina Oniunas-Pusić
Main Cast
- Marija Kohn
- Doris Šarić-Kukuljica
Writers
- Daina Oniunas-Pusić
The Beast - FAQs
What is The Beast about?
The Beast follows Nada, a hundred-year-old woman, and her 75-year-old daughter Vera, whose strained but familiar dynamic is shattered when a bat takes up residence under Nada's bed. The creature's presence mysteriously revitalizes the old woman, setting in motion a fateful shift in their relationship.
What does the bat symbolize in The Beast?
The bat functions as a catalyst for primal transformation. Its arrival beneath Nada's bed reawakens something dormant in the frail, mute woman, suggesting that nature and instinct can override age and dependency. The creature blurs the line between caregiver and the cared-for, making it a symbol of uncanny, disruptive vitality.
Who directed The Beast (2016)?
The Beast was directed by Daina Oniunas-Pusić, who also wrote the screenplay. The Croatian filmmaker crafted this short drama as an intimate, unsettling portrait of aging, dependency, and the hidden power dynamics within a mother-daughter relationship.
Who are the main actors in The Beast?
The Beast stars Marija Kohn as Nada, the century-old mother, and Doris Šarić-Kukuljica as Vera, her 75-year-old daughter. The two-hander relies entirely on their performances to convey the film's quietly intense emotional and psychological tension.
How long is The Beast (2016)?
The Beast has a runtime of 20 minutes, making it a short film. Despite its brevity, the Croatian drama delivers a fully realized narrative arc, using its compact running time to build atmosphere and emotional weight with remarkable efficiency.
When was The Beast released?
The Beast was released on November 30, 2016, in the United States. The Croatian short film was produced by Slavica Film and written and directed by Daina Oniunas-Pusić.
Does The Beast have a dark or ambiguous ending?
The Beast builds toward an ending that is both dark and deliberately open to interpretation. The bat's revitalizing effect on Nada “eternally and fatally” alters her relationship with Vera, suggesting an irreversible power shift. The film leaves the precise nature of that change hauntingly unresolved, inviting the viewer to draw their own conclusions.
Where can I watch The Beast (2016)?
Streaming availability for The Beast varies by region. You can check current viewing options, including any rental or subscription platforms carrying the film, on JustWatch, which aggregates up-to-date streaming information for your location.
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