The Beast of Bray Road (2025) – Detailed Review
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Overview

The Beast of Bray Road (2025) is a supernatural horror film based on the urban legend of the Beast of Bray Road, a cryptid said to lurk in the rural areas of Elkhorn, Wisconsin. First reported in the 1990s, the creature is often described as a werewolf-like beast, with glowing eyes and a terrifying appearance. This film brings that legend to life, blending folklore, suspense, and horror with a modern, gritty edge.

Directed by David Bruckner, known for his work on films like The Ritual (2017) and V/H/S (2012), The Beast of Bray Road promises to capture the dark, eerie atmosphere of rural America while tapping into primal fears surrounding the unknown and the unexplained. With elements of creature horror, psychological tension, and thrilling chases, the movie aims to reintroduce the world to this infamous cryptid and the terror it allegedly brings.

Plot Summary

The story is set in Bray Road, a quiet and isolated part of Wisconsin, where a series of strange occurrences have plagued the small town of Elkhorn. Over the years, there have been whispers of a mysterious creature lurking in the woods—a terrifying, wolf-like beast with glowing eyes and an insatiable hunger. Locals have dismissed it as myth or misidentification, but something is changing. The sightings are becoming more frequent, more vivid, and more deadly.

The film follows Rachel Evans (played by Zoey Deutch), a young journalist from a big city who, after hearing about the recent resurgence of the Bray Road sightings, decides to investigate. She arrives in Elkhorn, where she meets Deputy Ben Miller (played by John Boyega), a local lawman who has been haunted by his own experiences with the creature. He’s skeptical of the reports but also wary of what he’s seen with his own eyes.

As Rachel digs deeper into the town’s history, she uncovers a pattern of disappearances dating back to the early 20th century, suggesting that this beast has been terrorizing the area for decades. However, the more they investigate, the more dangerous it becomes, as they realize the creature might be much more than just a myth—it could be a malevolent force that has learned to adapt to the changing world.

Rachel and Ben must work together to unravel the mystery behind the Beast of Bray Road before it takes more victims. The closer they get to the truth, the more the creature seems to be watching, hunting, and stalking them. As the line between reality and myth blurs, the survivors are left questioning whether they can escape the relentless terror that haunts Bray Road.

Characters and Performances

• Rachel Evans (Zoey Deutch) – Rachel is a determined and ambitious journalist, eager to make a name for herself. As she ventures into the unknown, her skepticism slowly turns to fear as she uncovers the truth behind the beast. Zoey Deutch brings both charm and vulnerability to the character, balancing curiosity with the terror of the unknown.
• Deputy Ben Miller (John Boyega) – Ben is a local lawman who has long struggled with the unexplained events surrounding Bray Road. While he initially dismisses the creature’s existence, he has seen enough to know that something is out there. John Boyega brings depth to Ben, portraying a man torn between duty and a growing fear of the supernatural.
• The Beast (CGI and Practical Effects) – The titular creature is a towering, wolf-like entity, often seen in fleeting glimpses or shadowy figures. Its physical appearance is a mix of werewolf and predatory wolf characteristics, with exaggerated features like glowing eyes, sharp claws, and an eerie howl. The filmmakers have promised a blend of CGI and practical effects, aiming for a terrifying, realistic design that keeps the creature grounded in realism while maintaining its mythic qualities.
• Supporting Characters –
  • Mayor Linda Stevens (Meryl Kelly) – The mayor of Elkhorn, who tries to downplay the sightings in an effort to keep the town’s tourism and economy alive. Her motivations may be more complex than they first appear.
  • Tommy O’Shea (Kyle Chandler) – A local farmer whose family has lived near Bray Road for generations. He may have clues to the creature’s origins but is reluctant to speak out.
  • Elderly Witness (TBD) – An older local who claims to have had an encounter with the Beast decades ago, offering cryptic warnings to Rachel and Ben.

Themes and Direction

• The Supernatural vs. Reality – One of the central themes of The Beast of Bray Road is the tension between skepticism and belief. Rachel starts as a firm skeptic, but the evidence she uncovers and the growing threat of the creature push her toward accepting that something truly terrifying might be lurking in the woods. The film explores how people react when faced with the unknown and how myths and legends persist in rural cultures.
• The Fear of the Unknown – The creature itself embodies primal fears: the fear of being hunted, the fear of the wilderness, and the fear of the things we cannot understand. The isolation of Bray Road and the rural setting amplify this tension, as the characters are trapped in a small town with no easy escape from the terror that stalks them.
• Human Nature and Fear – Another key theme will likely explore how fear shapes human behavior. As the town deals with the growing sightings, some people will cling to the belief that the beast is just a legend, while others will be consumed by paranoia and terror. The fear of the unknown can divide a community and make people distrustful of one another.
• Legacy and History – The film also touches on the idea of legacy—both in terms of the creature’s origins and the personal legacies of those who have lived through its terror. The long-standing history of disappearances in the area serves as a haunting reminder of how the past can come back to haunt us, both literally and figuratively.

Visuals and Tone

The film will have a gritty, atmospheric tone, with dark, wooded landscapes and misty nights that create an eerie sense of isolation. The cinematography will lean heavily into shadow and suspense, making the audience feel the same unease as the characters. The creature itself will be partially hidden for much of the film, with tension-building shots showing only brief glimpses, allowing the imagination to run wild with fear.

The use of practical effects for the creature’s movements and some scenes of terror will give the film a more grounded and visceral feel, while the CGI will be used sparingly to enhance the creature’s supernatural abilities and the horror elements.

Expect moments of intense suspense—footsteps in the woods, cryptic messages from locals, and high-tension chases as the characters try to escape the relentless terror of the Beast.

Music and Soundtrack

The soundtrack will likely feature a haunting mix of ambient music and eerie soundscapes, creating an unsettling atmosphere that heightens the film’s tension. Composer Ben Lovett (known for The Ritual and The Night House) may return, bringing his knack for atmospheric horror scores that rely heavily on minimalistic, tension-building sounds. The film’s score will likely complement the eerie, remote setting, with a focus on subtle, almost imperceptible sounds that echo the growing dread.

Conclusion

The Beast of Bray Road (2025) looks set to be a terrifying addition to the world of cryptid horror, offering a fresh take on the infamous Wisconsin legend. With its mix of supernatural suspense, psychological tension, and creature horror, the film will tap into primal fears while exploring themes of myth, legacy, and survival. The eerie setting of Bray Road, the complex characters, and the haunting design of the Beast promise to make this a gripping experience for fans of horror and folklore alike.