If you’ve been desperate for a killer shark movie that actually, truly delivers the terror, look no further! The film Beast of War, one of the best shark movies we’ve gotten in a decade, is coming home. The WWII-era nightmare from writer-director Kiah Roache-Turner (Sting, Wyrmwood) is swimming onto Blu-ray and DVD this December, making for a killer Christmas gift!
Seriously, this is perfect timing. If you’ve got a horror fanatic or a high-stakes thriller junkie in your life, you know what’s going under the tree. This movie makes one hell of a holiday splash!
World War II Chaos Meets Aquatic Carnage
Beast of War immediately throws you into the deep end of chaos. We’re in the thick of World War II, following an Australian warship ferrying soldiers to the front lines. Tension between the soldiers grows due to racism. But then everything explodes: a brutal attack by Japanese fighter jets leaves the few survivors stranded, floating in a sea choked with steel, fire, and blood.
When they think the fighting is over, a new, primal enemy emerges from the depths: a monstrous great white shark. This isn’t just a jump scare; it’s a relentless, claustrophobic battle for survival against forces both human and natural. It’s the kind of intense, unforgettable filmmaking that has led me to call it “one of the best films of the year.”
Practical Effects Make the Terror Real
What truly elevates Beast of War above other modern shark flicks is the beast itself. In a rare and deeply appreciated move, this creature was brought to life using practical effects! And boy, did director Turner nail it hard! But you can hear us praise his choices and the film itself more in our mostly spoiler-free review.
The talented team at Formation Effects pulled off a masterpiece. They used a masterful blend of old-school animatronics, puppeteering, and cutting-edge visual effects. The result? The shark feels incredibly heavy, tangible, and realistic, immediately raising the terror level far beyond what typical all-CGI creatures can achieve. It’s that old-school monster magic, and it looks absolutely incredible on screen. Director Kiah Roache-Turner even went into detail about the complex creation of the shark in our interview with him!
The film is anchored by a fantastic cast, including Mark Coles Smith (who was brilliant in We Bury the Dead), Joel Nankervis, Sam Delich, and Lee Tiger Halley. Blake Northfield and Chris Brown (Sting) serve as producers.
This incredible example of a shark movie done right is rated R for its “bloody, violent content, gore, and language. “They didn’t hold back. Go ahead, treat yourself (or a lucky friend) to Beast of War, available on Blu-ray and DVD on December 9, 2025, from Well GO USA.
