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The Nature of the Beast

  • 1995
  • R
  • 1h 31m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
3K
YOUR RATING
The Nature of the Beast (1995)
CrimeHorrorMysteryThriller

Two men, both hiding a deadly secret, are on a murderous rampage through the desert.Two men, both hiding a deadly secret, are on a murderous rampage through the desert.Two men, both hiding a deadly secret, are on a murderous rampage through the desert.

  • Director
    • Victor Salva
  • Writer
    • Victor Salva
  • Stars
    • Eric Roberts
    • Lance Henriksen
    • Brion James
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.2/10
    3K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Victor Salva
    • Writer
      • Victor Salva
    • Stars
      • Eric Roberts
      • Lance Henriksen
      • Brion James
    • 57User reviews
    • 16Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos7

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    Top cast25

    Edit
    Eric Roberts
    Eric Roberts
    • Adrian (Dusty)
    Lance Henriksen
    Lance Henriksen
    • Jack Powell
    Brion James
    Brion James
    • Sheriff Gordon
    Frank Novak
    Frank Novak
    • Manfred
    William A. Temple
    • Elderly gentleman
    Earl Theroux
    • Mr. Winneman
    Lila Garrett
    • Mrs. Winneman
    Eloy Casados
    Eloy Casados
    • Sheriff #1
    Eliza Roberts
    Eliza Roberts
    • Patsy
    Hollace Colburn
    • Counter waitress
    Bob May
    • Trooper in diner
    Sara Young
    • Lady in diner
    John Toles-Bey
    John Toles-Bey
    • Trooper at roadblock
    Zachary Weintraub
    Zachary Weintraub
    • Young man at motel
    • (as Zachary Bogatz)
    Curt Darling
    • Queasy deputy
    Mark Whitman Johnson
    • Deputy Johnson
    • (as Mark W. Johnson)
    Sasha Jenson
    Sasha Jenson
    • Gerald
    Ana Gabriel
    • Dahlia
    • Director
      • Victor Salva
    • Writer
      • Victor Salva
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews57

    6.22.9K
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    Featured reviews

    fookin

    Overlooked and Under-appreciated

    Possibly the only people who saw this movie are the ones who posted user comments, which is too bad. I wouldnt say it was one of the best movies ever made, and I wouldnt call it a piece of c**p either. This movie seemed to be made for people who appreciate second banana actors, and it was done pretty well in my opinion. Anyone who has stayed up late at night watching cable should be familiar with Eric and Lance. Lance is one of my favorite actors, and this was one of those movies that stand out in my mind when I think of his work. The ending was great. I dont want to give anything away, but...that pretty much made the movie for me. I think if this movie went mainstream with bigger named actors...like..I dont know, Brad Pitt and Edward Norton, this would have been a hit. Instead, its doomed to be one of those movies that you see when you want to see something else, and its too bad, because as it is, it should be one that you want to watch. After checking for DVD availability for over a year now, I've come to the conclusion that this movie will never get a fair chance. Thats too bad, because its a good movie, and most people wont even know it was ever made.
    6dbdumonteil

    The beast in the nature.

    What I have to say is merely a repetition of what the other users said before:the two leads literally save the movie from absolute mediocrity.They are so good,their performances are so intense that they are to be commended for transcending the limitations they are working under .The script writers ,in order to make sure the audience understands they have been watching a "deep" "meaningful" work call Jeremiah (and the Bible) to the rescue,but it's too little too late.

    This is the well known mix road movie/"there's a killer on the road" (as Jim Morrison used to sing),and even a child could guess who he is.But the film deserves a look ,weren't it only for the way two first-class actors can redeem abysmal scripts.
    7jcanettis

    Tense, Well-Performed, Yet Underrated Thriller

    Although underrated, "The Nature of The Beast" is a very good thriller. Its tense and bleak atmosphere keeps you in a nail-biting state throughout the film, with its best part being its end, when a brilliant plot twist really brings everything upside down.

    The story begins with Jack (Henriksen), a typical, middle-class executive on a business travel, who bumps onto a murder scene; the policemen in charge advise him to be careful on his way, as there is a serial killer in the area hitch-hiking for his next victim. Keeping this advice in mind, he avoids somebody he encounters who asks for a lift; unfortunately, he is not so lucky, as he soon finds the guy in a diner some kilometers ahead. The guy loses no time to introduce himself as Andrian (Roberts), and he soon becomes a thorn on Jack's side, who in turn realizes that it will be very difficult to get away from this menace...

    Featuring two great performances, the movie is virtually a two-man show: Both Roberts and Henriksen are really great in their roles, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that the film's value is based on them. The other characters have short appearances which simply supplement the duo.

    A film worth having a look. 7/10.
    7ep.com

    I like it, but...

    "Nature of the beast" is one of those "Never-ever-pick-up-a-hitchhiker"-thriller/horror-movies and it's probably a good example of this genre. The cast is terrific (you just can't go wrong with Henriksen and Roberts, even Brion James is in this for two minutes) and the movie is pretty exciting and fun to watch... until the last 5 minutes, when the writer/director manages to gloriously mess it up with an incredible stupid and forced twist-ending, that isn't just unlogical, but annoying as hell, too. Pretend it doesn't happen...
    AJCrowley

    another 50-50 movie? surely not...

    well, despite some scathing reviews on here, i loved it. it's got some glorious tension building, and although the ending is scrappy, the exploration of morality between the two characters, and what their lives are built on gives a lot of energy to that tension, and to the ending. some bits could have been handled better, but the portrayal of Henriksen as the "loser" character (was that paunch fake anyone know?) is wonderful, a real Homer. right up til the end.

    watching it for the second time to re-evaluate the relationship between the two bears up too, now you know what they and you know.

    watch it, it's worth it. Henriksen at a high point.

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    Related interests

    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)
    Crime
    Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby (1968)
    Horror
    Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in Chinatown (1974)
    Mystery
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Eric Roberts and Lance Henriksen are both known for playing psychopaths, which adds to the mystery element of who the killer is.
    • Quotes

      Adrian: There's two places they send people who are havin' too good a time. One's church, the other's prison. And I done time in both, Jack.

    • Connections
      Referenced in Powder (1995)

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    FAQ15

    • How long is The Nature of the Beast?Powered by Alexa
    • How did Adrian get to the diner at the same time as jack?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 24, 1995 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Canada
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Nature of the Beast
    • Filming locations
      • Calgary, Alberta, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Itasca Pictures
      • New Line Cinema
      • Norstar Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 31m(91 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Ultra Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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