🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Daniel Barnz
- Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
- Release year: 2011
- Runtime (length): 1h 26min
- IMDb rating: 5.5/10 (81K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 21%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A hot guy gets a bad tattoo and then kidnaps a girl until she develops Stockholm syndrome and declares her love, thus proving that true beauty is finding someone who tolerates your questionable decisions.
🍿 Beastly: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Arrogance and a Cruel Prank
Kyle Kingson is a wealthy, popular, and arrogant high school student who believes that looks are everything. He publicly humiliates Kendra, an outcast with rumors of witchcraft surrounding her, during a school event. This sets the stage for Kendra’s revenge.

The Curse and Transformation
Kendra, revealed to be a witch, curses Kyle, transforming him into a scarred and tattooed version of himself, reflecting the ugliness she sees inside. She gives him one year to find someone who can love him despite his appearance, or remain this way forever. This forces Kyle to confront his superficial values.

Seclusion and Second Chances
Kyle, now going by ‘Hunter,’ is hidden away by his shallow father and is left in the care of a maid, Zola, and a blind tutor, Will. He encounters Lindy, a girl he previously ignored, and rescues her from a dangerous situation. He offers her shelter, hoping she can see past his appearance.

Building a Relationship
As Hunter and Lindy spend time together, they begin to form a connection. He builds her a greenhouse, shares his love for literature, and gradually reveals his caring nature. Hunter’s growing affection and altered perspective begin to shine through, and Lindy starts to see past his exterior.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Kyle Kingson (Alex Pettyfer): A wealthy, arrogant teen transformed into a ‘beast’ by a witch and given a year to find true love to break the curse.
- Lindy Taylor (Vanessa Hudgens): A classmate of Kyle’s who finds herself falling for his inner self after he becomes cursed.
- Kendra Hilferty (Mary-Kate Olsen): The outcast classmate and witch who curses Kyle for his cruelty, setting the events of the film in motion.
- Will Fratalli (Neil Patrick Harris): Kyle’s blind tutor who provides guidance and comedic relief during his transformation.
- Zola (LisaGay Hamilton): The Kingson’s housekeeper who offers compassion and support to Kyle during his isolation.
- Rob Kingson (Peter Krause): Kyle’s shallow and image-obsessed father, who struggles to accept his son’s disfigured appearance.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Kendra: “That was your second chance.” – Kendra says this to Kyle after he humiliates her for the second time, right before she curses him.
- Will: “Listen to her, listen to her voice.” – Will advises Kyle on how to connect with Lindy and genuinely understand her feelings.
- Kyle: “I should’ve known better. That’s not who you are.” – Kyle realizes Lindy’s capacity for love extends beyond superficial appearances.
- Lindy: “I’ve seen worse.” – Lindy’s initial reaction to Kyle’s transformed appearance, showing her acceptance.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $17,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $27,865,571
- Worldwide Gross: $43,202,283
💥 Beastly Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so ‘Beastly’ isn’t winning any Oscars, but I kinda enjoyed it! It’s a fluffy, modern take on Beauty and the Beast with a good message. Alex Pettyfer is gorgeous, even with the ‘beastly’ makeup, and Vanessa Hudgens is sweet. I loved Neil Patrick Harris as the blind tutor – he’s hilarious! Sure, the plot is a bit predictable and cheesy, but sometimes that’s exactly what I’m in the mood for. The greenhouse scene was adorable, and the ending, while a bit rushed, still made me smile. It’s a fun, feel-good movie that’s perfect for a rainy day.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of young adult romance novels.”
- “Viewers interested in modern adaptations of classic fairy tales.”
- “Fans of Alex Pettyfer, Vanessa Hudgens, and Neil Patrick Harris.”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Brief scenes of violence/mugging.”
- “Teen angst and emotional distress.”
- “Themes of superficiality and social exclusion.”
Professional Reviews
- Rotten Tomatoes: “Despite a talented cast, ‘Beastly’ fails to deliver a compelling modern adaptation of ‘Beauty and the Beast’. The film suffers from a rushed plot, flat performances, and a lack of genuine emotion, leaving audiences wanting more substance and depth.
- Common Sense Media: “‘Beastly’ has a good message about inner beauty, but its execution falls short. The leads lack chemistry, and the plot feels contrived. However, Neil Patrick Harris adds some much-needed humor, making it a passable, if forgettable, teen romance.
Audience Reactions
Mary-Kate Olsen’s performance as the witch was surprisingly good and added a unique twist to the story.: Most viewers agreed that Neil Patrick Harris stole the show with his witty and comedic performance.
Many viewers enjoyed the modern soundtrack and the visual aesthetics of the film.: Fans appreciated the movie for its take on the classic tale, especially the message of inner beauty.
Overall Consensus: While ‘Beastly’ has a compelling message and some enjoyable performances, it ultimately falls short due to a weak plot and lack of emotional depth, resulting in a mediocre adaptation of ‘Beauty and the Beast’.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Alex Pettyfer had to wear extensive makeup and prosthetics for his transformation into the ‘beast,’ which took several hours each day to apply.”
- “Neil Patrick Harris wore opaque contact lenses to convincingly portray a blind character.”
🖥️ How to Watch Beastly?
Beastly is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. You can find it on services like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check these platforms for rental or purchase options depending on your region. Availability may vary, so it’s best to check current listings.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Beastly, you might like these similar films:
- Beauty and the Beast (1991): The classic animated tale that ‘Beastly’ is based on, exploring the themes of inner beauty and true love.
- Penelope (2006): Another modern fairytale where a young woman must find true love to break a curse that gave her a pig’s snout, with a similar message about accepting oneself.
- The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996): Explores themes of inner beauty and prejudice against physical appearance.
- Easy A (2010): A teen movie about superficiality, judgements, and misinterpretations and social hierarchy of high school.
🛒 Beastly Related Products
- Beastly (The Complete Novel): Read the original novel by Alex Flinn, which inspired the movie. Get deeper into the characters’ thoughts and feelings than the movie could allow.
- Beauty and the Beast (Disney Blu-ray): Relive the classic animated tale with stunning visuals and heartwarming music. Explore the timeless story that inspired ‘Beastly’.
- Enchanted Roses Artificial Flowers: Inspired by the Enchanted Rose from Beauty and the Beast, a symbol of everlasting love and beauty.
- Teenage Drama Movies Collection: Includes films such as ‘Mean Girls’, ’10 Things I Hate About You’, and ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’.
🎧 Soundtrack
Beastly features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Beastly was primarily filmed in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. This location provided a suitable setting for the movie’s depiction of New York City and other environments.
Yes, Beastly is based on the novel of the same name by Alex Flinn. The novel is a modern retelling of the classic fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast, aimed at a young adult audience.
The main message of Beastly is that true beauty lies within, and one should not judge others based on superficial appearances. It emphasizes the importance of inner qualities like kindness, compassion, and understanding.
🔥 Bonus Content
Girl Falls in Love With a Beast, But He Turns Into The World’s Most Handsome Guy
Want a quick refresher on the movie’s storyline? This recap dives into the plot of the movie. It’s a great way to jog your memory or get a feel for the movie before diving in!
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