Beast of War – Film Review
Reviewed by Harris Dang on the 9th of October 2025
Rialto Distribution presents a film by Kiah Roache-Turner
Written by Kiah Roache-Turner
Produced by Chris Brown and Blake Northfield
Starring Mark Coles Smith, Joel Nankervis, Lee Tiger Halley, Lauren Grimson, Steve Le Marquand, Masa Yamaguchi, Sam Delich, Sam Parsonson, Maximillian Johnson, and Tristan McKinnon
Cinematography Mark Wareham
Edited by Kiah Roache-Turner and Regg Skwarko
Rating: MA15+
Running Time: 87 minutes
Release Date: the 9th of October 2025
Set in 1942 during the Second World War, Beast of War follows the story of Leo (Mark Coles Smith), a lone Indigenous soldier who bonds with fellow teammate, Will (Joel Nakervis), during boot camp. The two face discrimination and bullying and depend on each other to survive. As they set out in the Timor Sea on an Australian warship, they are attacked by Japanese fighter jets.
The remaining soldiers are stranded amongst the ship wreckage. Rescuing them proves increasingly difficult. With the enemy on the horizon, the near-fatal injuries inflicted, and the ongoing discrimination amongst the troop, they must face an even greater foe: a massive great white shark.
Beast of War is the latest film from Aussie filmmaker Kiah Roache-Turner. He is best known for making horror genre films, including the Wyrmwood zombie flicks (2014-2021) and most recently, the spider creature feature Sting (2024). His latest continues the creature feature subgenre albeit with a few new tricks up his sleeve. One of them is the historical setting of World War II, which adds to the stakes and makes the film more than just a shark movie.
The xenophobia Leo faces reflects how the First Nations people were treated during World War II. It adds extra tension and psychological stakes that our lead characters must face. The historical context also establishes new settings and conflicts for the characters beyond the mere shark attacks. For instance, the offbeat humour and unique setting, specifically the ship wreckage, adds unpredictability to what Roache-Turner throws at his characters. This includes a character with a severe head injury, wildcard opponents, and weapons that should not be mishandled in any way. While the ambitious new elements could potentially exceed the film’s low budget grasp, Roache-Turner never forgets this is a creature feature and delivers in spades.
His cinematic reverence to prior shark films, such as Jaws (1975), and his reliance on practical effects are also impressive. For example, the shark effects are brutal and gory as one savours from a creature feature. Meanwhile, cinematographer Mark Wareham’s efforts bring more than enough visual splendour to paper over the budgetary issues. Rarely does War resemble being filmed in a water tank. Instead, its Aurora-esque colours border on surrealism.
The ensemble cast bring enough credibility and enthusiasm to their roles, making their character archetypes effective regardless of well-worn tropes. Coles Smith has had a good year with the miniseries Apple Cider Vinegar (2025) and the upcoming zombie flick We Bury the Dead (2026). In War, he fits Roache-Turner’s B-movie vibes to a T. By exuding charisma, toughness, vulnerability, and uniquely Australian bravado (VB over Fosters any day!), Smith is a winning lead who adds far more than what was already on the script’s page.
Overall, Beast of War is another genre winner from Kiah Roache-Turner who shows creativity trumps resources in delivering cinematic B-grade thrills. Alongside Dangerous Animals, Beast of War delivers the best shark attack cinema in years.
Summary: Beast of War delivers the best shark attack cinema in years.
4
Exciting
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