The Beast in Me is a new Netflix miniseries that just dropped its full eight episodes. Created by Gabe Rotter, the show stars Claire Danes, Matthew Rhys, Brittany Snow, and Natalie Morales. Since the tragic death of her young son, acclaimed author Aggie Wiggs has receded from public life, unable to write, a ghost of her former self. But she finds an unlikely subject for a new book when the house next door is bought by Nile Jarvis, a famed and formidable real estate mogul who was once the prime suspect in his wife’s disappearance. At once horrified and fascinated by this man, Aggie finds herself compulsively hunting for the truth – chasing his demons while fleeing her own – in a game of cat and mouse that might turn deadly.

Personally, if a show stars Claire Danes or Matthew Rhys, I’m in—no questions asked. I went into this one knowing almost nothing, and with just eight episodes, it’s an easy commitment for true-crime or psychological thriller fans. While The Beast in Me never quite lives up to its full potential, it’s still a solid watch—you could do a lot worse.

I might be one of the few people who noticed that The Beast in Me premiered not long after the third season of The Diplomat—the hit series starring Matthew Rhys’ real-life partner, Keri Russell. Ever since the two shared the screen in The Americans, it feels like there’s always been some kind of creative connection between them. The most obvious example outside of that series is Cocaine Bear—even when Russell isn’t onscreen with him, Rhys still seems to carry that same spark, as if they’re sharing a wavelength across projects.

Rhys is a consistently strong actor, but I’ve always believed he’s at his best when he’s working alongside Russell. Maybe that’s just me, but there’s a natural intensity that comes through in those moments. Still, given the material he’s working with here, Rhys is clearly having a great time showing his range. There are a few standout moments and striking visuals that really linger with you.

Claire Danes, on the other hand, is more of a mixed bag. I’ve always admired her work, but ever since Homeland, something about her performances feels slightly off to me. I wasn’t a fan of that show, and I can’t help but see some overlap between that character and the one she plays here. Whether it’s the writing or the direction, I never quite see a fully realized person—just Danes acting. That’s not a knock on her talent; she’s a gifted performer. But the material here doesn’t always give her the depth she deserves.

Tonally, the show checks most of the boxes that crime drama fans look for. The writing shines brightest when it focuses on the antagonists—an area I wish the series had explored more deeply to truly subvert expectations. Instead, it plays things frustratingly safe. From early on, it’s clear where the story is headed, and it never quite distinguishes itself from other, stronger shows in the genre. While there are a few genuine surprises scattered throughout, the major twists don’t land with much impact.

One of the show’s biggest weaknesses is its dialogue. Nearly every conversation feels overloaded with exposition—people just don’t talk like this. Flashbacks lose their power because the characters have already overexplained the events beforehand. If the writing had allowed for more natural exchanges, the mystery could have built itself more organically.

A good comparison is another Netflix miniseries, Black Rabbit, which demands the viewer’s full attention. In contrast, The Beast in Me feels like the kind of show you can half-watch while doing chores—the characters will make sure you don’t miss a thing by explaining everything for you.

Outside of Matthew Rhys, I was thrilled to see Jonathan Banks appear—completely unexpected. Banks is an immensely talented actor who hasn’t had the chance to fully showcase his abilities since Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. Just thinking about his performances there makes me want to revisit those shows. Having someone like Banks on board instantly elevates the series, matching the tone it’s aiming for. Given the material he’s working with, I think he delivers as much as he possibly can.

With only eight episodes, I actually prefer this format over last week’s four-episode Death by Lightning. The slightly longer runtime allows the story to be fully fleshed out without feeling rushed, while still hitting the key moments effectively. Some shocking events occur early enough to remind viewers that this is a single-season story, which at least provides more closure compared to other Netflix miniseries like Wayward. In that sense, the show functions well as a self-contained miniseries, even if that means some of the dialogue and surprises don’t land as strongly as they could.

Overall, you could do a lot worse than The Beast in Me, but it’s clear the show had the potential to be stronger, more surprising, and more engaging. Matthew Rhys reminds us why he’s one of the most underrated actors working today, while Claire Danes seems weighed down by material that doesn’t fully showcase her talents. At the end of the day, it’s a show that left me conflicted—disappointed, yet not bad enough to regret it. I’m ultimately stuck in neutral.

VERDICT: 2.5/5 – Okay