Year: 1959
Runtime: 96 mins
Language: Japanese
Director: Eizō Sugawa
A promising post-graduate literature student is transformed into a psychotic killer following the suicide of his father and a sleazy affair by his mother with a younger man.
Get a spoiler-free look at The Beast Shall Die (1959) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.
In the restless hum of Tokyo’s university district, a bright post‑graduate literature student struggles under the weight of expectations and the ghosts of his family. With a promising academic record and a hunger for recognition, he navigates the cramped corridors of philosophy lectures and the flickering glow of late‑night study sessions. Yet the memory of his father’s untimely death and the whispered rumors of his mother’s dubious liaison with a younger man linger like a persistent draft, unsettling the fragile equilibrium of his intellect and emotions.
Date Kinhiko—the student at the story’s center—finds himself caught between the disciplined world of scholarly pursuits and a growing, inexplicable restlessness. His interactions with a charismatic professor, a devoted girlfriend, and a detective who prowls the city’s underbelly hint at a double life that threatens to unravel his carefully constructed identity. The university’s polished façade masks a network of pressures: financial strains, demanding mentors, and the ever‑present quest for a scholarship that could launch him abroad. These external forces echo his internal disquiet, coaxing him toward paths he never imagined.
The film’s tone walks a tightrope between cold, methodical observation and fevered psychological dread. Shadows stretch across lecture halls and rain‑slicked streets, suggesting that the line between rational ambition and chaotic impulse is thinner than it appears. As the protagonist’s world tilts, the audience is invited to watch the quiet metamorphosis of a scholar whose brilliance may soon be eclipsed by a darker, more compulsive drive—setting the stage for a tense exploration of how trauma and desire can converge in the most unsettling ways.
Last Updated: December 05, 2025 at 23:00
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Stories where the pursuit of intellectual excellence leads to moral collapse and violence.If you liked The Beast Shall Die, explore other films about promising students and intellectuals whose ambition curdles into violence. These movies often feature psychological descent, moral corruption, and a bleak worldview, similar to this tense crime drama.
The narrative pattern involves a protagonist, initially defined by their high potential and academic focus, who experiences a traumatic catalyst. This event corrupts their ambition, leading them to use their intelligence for calculated, often violent, acts. The story charts their fall from grace as their intellectual gifts become their greatest curse.
Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the dangerous intersection of high intellect and moral decay. They feature cynical tones, heavy emotional weight, and protagonists whose descent is both chilling and intellectually driven.
Fast-paced crime stories where the criminal's psychological collapse is the main focus.Fans of The Beast Shall Die will find similar movies in this thread: fast-paced, anxious crime dramas with bleak endings. These films focus on a killer's psychological disintegration within a cold, unforgiving world, matching the high tension and heavy mood.
The narrative follows a character's swift transformation into a criminal, propelled by external pressures. The plot moves quickly through a series of escalating acts, but the true conflict is internal—a race between the police investigation and the protagonist's complete psychological breakdown. Endings are typically bleak, offering no redemption.
These films share a specific mix of fast pacing, high narrative intensity, and a dark, bleak tone. They are united by a focus on the criminal psyche, creating an anxious and oppressive viewing experience centered on ruin rather than justice.
Don't stop at just watching — explore The Beast Shall Die in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Beast Shall Die is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of The Beast Shall Die, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.
Track the full timeline of The Beast Shall Die with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Beast Shall Die. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Beast Shall Die: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like The Beast Shall Die that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
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