Léa Seydoux and George MacKay in three time eras try to understand their feelings and fears in the new film 'The Beast' from the director of 'Saint Laurent'.

Bertrand Bonello ("Zombi Child", "Saint Laurent") made "The Beast" (La Bête), a romantic story with a dystopian touch, placing the characters in three time periods: 1910, 2014, and 2044. The plot is based on the work of Henry James "The Beast in the Jungle".

The heart of the film is Léa Seydoux, who, frankly, is good in any movie. Her character Gabrielle lives in 2044 and wants to change jobs to something more interesting. Society in the new era is managed by Artificial Intelligence, voiced by Xavier Dolan, who also served as one of the producers.

Gabrielle is too emotional, so her request to change jobs is denied, but a DNA cleansing procedure is suggested — then emotions will be under control. The heroine is against this procedure from the very beginning because she understands that along with her feelings, everything genuine and beautiful in human nature will die. However, she eventually agrees to undergo it. Thus, she must immerse herself in her past lives, where she will meet her beloved Louis.

Léa Seydoux suits any era — she is organic and interesting everywhere. Whether it's a famous pianist living at the beginning of the 20th century or a budding actress from 2014. Each time she is haunted by the fear that something irreparable will happen. The foreboding torments Gabrielle like a beast lurking in the thicket. The heroine desperately tries to figure out what exactly is supposed to change her fate forever.

British actor George MacKay, who replaced the tragically deceased Gaspard Ulliel, also did an excellent job in his role. His Louis accompanies the heroine throughout all her past lives, in each of which Gabrielle and Louis feel a mutual attraction.

In the earliest era, a flood occurs, which actually happened in Paris at that time. Gabrielle becomes the head of a factory producing porcelain dolls. She herself resembles the creations that the characters see in large numbers at the new production facility, where porcelain has been replaced with a more durable material. At the same time, a fire breaks out, which can be interpreted as the characters' flaring feelings.

With each new life, Gabrielle tries to influence the outcome of events, but the unknown and indefinite fear actually turns out to be the fear of love. And it materializes in the most unexpected but very understandable way — through the control of feelings. After all, if you try to gain the upper hand over feelings, you can completely unlearn how to feel.

"The Beast" turned out to be very beautiful and mesmerizing. The intriguing uncertainty only benefits the characters, who find it difficult to resist the turbulent feelings that, as we know, have a furious end.