Tubi Thursday: The Beast Within (1982)

 Another Cult Classic that I've somehow missed for all these years is now checked off the list.

I guess I somehow connected it and the far more famous An American Werewolf in London.

Was I wrong to wait so long?
Let's find out!

A young(ish) couple- Ronnie Cox and Bibi Besch- are out in the backwoods heading out on their honeymoon.

When their car gets stuck, Ronnie goes for help and the dog runs off.
The Wife follows, but gets attacked and...well, you can guess, by a creature.

17 years later, they have a teenage son who is experiencing severe glandular issues.

Doctors can do little, so they decide to go back to the source (the attack) for any information.

Bringing the Son was a mistake, however, as he's possessed by some sort of creature/spirit.

He kills this old dude and then is found passed out (but healthier) by a girl.

He falls for said girl and things move quickly...until they accidentally uncover a 'treasure trove' of human remains in the bog.

That's a real mood killer.

The Parents- especially Ronnie- can't come to terms with what is happening, even as the Son gets transformed yet again and kills someone on The Second Night (with convenient James Gun Title Cards).

Why does he seem to be targeting one family?

I just can't believe that I'll come back for a Sequel to The Car.

Our Hero (is he though?) is transforming against his will and a strange growth is appearing.

Hopefully it's not Malignant.

Do you see the AW in London comparisons?

We eventually get an answer from the creepy Judge who has been lurking around the whole time.

It all has to do with a guy who was left for dead, transformed into a Monster and was able to reincarnate as the boy (via the opening bit of non-consent).

Does it make sense?  Eh...

Things come full circle as the girl the Son has been wanting to get with just so happens to be out in the Forest and in the path of him.

He's fully transformed into the Titular Creature (picture a skinless chicken breast- just man sized) and, well, does what you expect.

The Son is killed, but does the reincarnation cycle continue?  The End.

We are 2 for 2 on unfortunate usage of Body Doubles here.

A bleak, if well made bit of Horror with a dash of Tennessee Williams.

This one has many things going for it.
For starters, it is rife with notable names and Character Actors.  You've got Cox, Besch, LQ Jones, Meshach Taylor and Boyce Holleman.

Secondly, the Script- by Tom Holland (not that one) builds nicely.
Third, the Direction by Philippe Mora is strong too.  He'd make an actual Werewolf Film in 1985.

That said, the Film is mostly a Series of Scenes that *eventually* tie together, so Pacing is a bit weird.  The nature of the whole thing may not be to your liking either.

Either way, it is weird, gross, oddly engaging and kinda bleak.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to tell another Incel about how I actually liked Supergirl...

A Film that has definitely earned it reputation (and a nice HD Transfer).  That said, the bleak nature of it may not be your cup of tea.