Beast of War combines World War II survival with a great white shark threat, offering a tense thriller directed by Kiah Roache-Turner. The film features a young Australian cast and delivers a unique genre blend that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats. Did you know the raft was built from scratch by the production team for authenticity?
Beast of War is now playing in Belgian cinemas, and it’s a wild ride you won’t want to miss. Directed by Kiah Roache-Turner, known for his work on the horror film Wyrmwood, this movie throws a group of young Australian soldiers into the Timor Sea after their boat sinks during World War II. Stranded on a rapidly shrinking raft, they must battle not only the harsh elements and enemy attacks but also a massive great white shark. It’s a genre-bending mix of war, action, thriller, and horror that keeps you guessing what will happen next.
What makes Beast of War stand out is its commitment to practical effects and real-world tension. The production team built a custom raft from scratch to ensure authenticity, and the shark attacks were filmed using animatronics, giving the scenes a visceral, old-school feel. Did you know that director Kiah Roache-Turner studied real-life shark behaviors to choreograph the attacks, making them both terrifying and scientifically plausible?
The cast, led by Mark Coles Smith, Joel Nankervis, and Sam Delich, delivers powerful performances as soldiers pushed to their limits. Their chemistry on screen was honed during a two-week boot camp before filming, where they learned survival skills and military tactics. This behind-the-scenes preparation adds a layer of realism to their desperate struggle for survival. With a runtime of just 87 minutes, the film packs a punch without overstaying its welcome.
At a TMDB rating of 6.2/10, Beast of War may not be a critical darling, but it’s a crowd-pleaser for fans of high-stakes survival stories. If you enjoyed films like The Shallows or Open Water, but with a historical twist, this one’s for you. Catch it in Belgian cinemas now—just be prepared to look twice at the water next time you go swimming.
