Thrillers ‘The Beast in Me’ and ‘Malice’ offer suspense but few surprises

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Two new psychological thrillers have recently been released: “Malice” on Prime Video and “The Beast in Me” on Netflix. While neither offers a truly groundbreaking story – you can often guess where they’re going – they still manage to create suspense and offer a few unexpected turns. These aren’t bad shows at all; in fact, they’re quite well-made. They’re the kind of stories that make you want to jump ahead to see if your predictions are correct, but they feature strong acting and smart writing. Even when the plots stretched believability, the characters always felt realistic – even the ones who were supposed to be unlikeable or dangerous.

“The Beast in Me” is a standout episode, largely thanks to the talents of Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys. Danes plays Aggie Wiggs, a nonfiction writer struggling after personal tragedy. Her marriage ended following the death of her son, and she publicly blames a local teen for the accident. While she’s trying to write a book about the friendship between Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia, she’s facing writer’s block and mounting financial pressures.

Television

The stars of the Netflix miniseries discussed the attraction between their characters, shared how being in the public eye affects them, and hinted at the potential for another season.

Aggie’s quiet life is disrupted when Nile Jarvis, a rich New Yorker with a mysterious past, moves in next door with his wife, Nina, and two large dogs. Aggie is concerned about her small dog’s safety, while Nile wants her to grant him access to her property for a running path. The story hints at a dark history – Nile’s first wife vanished years ago, and he was a suspect in her disappearance. As Aggie and Nile get to know each other, Aggie suggests writing his biography, a proposal that excites her agent, Carol.

Look, as a mystery fan, I always flip-flop on who I think did it, and my first instinct with Nile was just that he was guilty, plain and simple. I honestly suspect everyone at some point! But even before that frazzled FBI agent, Brian Abbott, showed up at Aggie’s door during a storm to warn her about Nile, I was leaning that way. It’s funny though, Claire Danes – who always brings this incredible energy to her roles, going all the way back to ‘My So-Called Life’ – somehow makes Aggie seem constantly on edge, even when she’s just standing there. Meanwhile, Nile just feels…calmer, more collected. He’s the one who seems to have it together, which is a bit unexpected.

I’ve gotten caught up in a really complex situation. It centers around a new development called Jarvis Yards, and it’s stirring up a lot of trouble. Nile’s father, Martin, reminds me a lot of those powerful, shady figures you see in the news – it’s easy to assume he’s someone not to be messed with. He’s facing opposition from a council member named Olivia Benitez. Honestly, some of these characters feel… familiar, like they could be based on people I’ve seen in the headlines, but I’m probably just imagining things. Martin also has a brother, Rick, who handles the… less pleasant aspects of things, though surprisingly, he seems like a genuinely good person deep down. We’re also starting to meet other key players – Madison’s family, who make a big impact even with limited screen time, and another FBI agent, Erika Breton, played by Hettienne Park. It’s a lot to keep track of, but it’s all incredibly compelling.

From this point on, the story reveals key plot points. Don’t let knowing a little more than the characters ruins your enjoyment – it’s still worth watching!

Okay, so “Malice” throws you right into the action – we meet Adam, a charming Brit, getting grilled by Homeland Security at customs. They’re asking about someone named Jamie Tanner, and Adam admits he used to work for the family, but then they show him evidence of something really bad happening, and it’s connected to him somehow. The title pretty much tells you this isn’t going to be a lighthearted show, and while the exact details are saved for the end, the show quickly establishes the overall premise and gets you wondering what’s going on.

The story shifts to a Greek island, where venture capitalist Jamie (David Duchovny) is vacationing with his wife, Nat (Carice van Houten), their three children, and the nanny (Phoenix Jackson Mendoza). They’re joined by another couple, Jules (Christine Adams) and Damien (Raza Jaffrey), along with their daughter and her tutor, Adam, who immediately seems a bit mysterious. Jamie, who often reminds everyone he’s footing the bill, comes across as surprisingly kind for a businessman.

James Wood, co-creator of “Rev” with Tom Hollander, doesn’t try to hide Adam’s villainy in the script. He’s immediately presented as overly charming, intelligent – rattling off facts about everything from Greek mythology to island geology – and clearly unsettling. He’s a busybody, an oddball, and constantly scheming. There’s even a scene where he dances like a local at a traditional Greek wedding, a touch reminiscent of movies from the 1970s that aimed for authenticity. He feels like the kind of character who could disrupt a Tennessee Williams play with his charisma, but here, something more sinister is brewing. He’s disturbingly forward – even threatening the Tanners’ nanny – and the script hints that he’ll soon take her place.

He does kill a cat. And there are snakes, for symbolism.

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2025-11-14 22:31