Rare Beasts

{{more plot|date=February 2024}}

Mandy is a career-driven nihilistic single mother with a deeply disturbed son, who falls in love with a patriarchal man with rage issues named Pete.

• Billie Piper as Mandy
• Leo Bill as Pete
• David Thewlis as Vic
• Lily James as Cressida
• Kerry Fox as Marion
• Toby Woolf as Larch
• Jonjo O'Neill as Dougie
• Antonia Campbell-Hughes as Cathy
• Montserrat Lombard as Val
• Mariah Gale as Vanessa
• Michael Elwyn as Bertie

In May 2018, it was announced Billie Piper would write, direct, and star in the film.{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/billie-piper-to-make-directing-debut-with-anti-rom-com-rare-beasts-exclusive/5129092.article|title=Billie Piper to make directing debut with "anti-rom-com" 'Rare Beasts' (exclusive)|website=Screen International|first=Wendy|last=Mitchell|date=10 May 2018|access-date=19 July 2019}} In September 2018, it was announced that principal photography had commenced, with David Thewlis, Leo Bill and Kerry Fox joining the cast of the film.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/david-thewlis-joins-billie-pipers-directorial-debut-rare-beasts-1142036|title=David Thewlis Joins Billie Piper's Directorial Debut 'Rare Beasts'|first=Alex|last=Ritman|date=11 September 2018|website=hollywoodreporter.com|access-date=12 September 2018}} Filming took place in London, as well as Lloret de Mar, Catalonia, Spain.{{cite web|url=https://www.bcncatfilmcommission.com/en/films/rare-beasts|title=Rare Beasts|first=|last=|date=11 September 2018|website=Barcelona Film Commission|access-date=25 May 2021}}

Rare Beasts had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on 31 August 2019.{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/billie-piper-directorial-debut-rare-beasts-venice-critics-week-1203272909/|title=Billie Piper's Directorial Debut, 'Rare Beasts,' to Bow in Venice Critics' Week|magazine=Variety|first=Nick|last=Vivarelli|date=19 July 2019|access-date=19 July 2019}} The film later screened at the London Film Festival and the Kerry Film Festival, both in October 2019.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.theupcoming.co.uk/2019/10/05/london-film-festival-2019-rare-beasts-review/|title=London Film Festival 2019: Rare Beasts|magazine=The Upcoming|first=Rosamund|last=Kelby|date=|access-date=23 May 2021}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.scannain.com/irish/festival/rare-beasts-kerry-international-film-festival/|title=Rare Beasts to Irish premiere at 20th Kerry International Film Festival|magazine=Scannain|first=Niall|last=Murphy|date=|access-date=23 May 2021}} The film's North American premiere was scheduled to take place at South by Southwest in March 2020, however, the festival was cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite magazine|url=https://shuffleonline.net/2020/03/23/sxsw-2020-rare-beasts-film-review-billie-piper/|title=SXSW 2020: Rare Beasts Film Review|magazine=Shuffle Online|first=Shadan|last=Larki|date=23 March 2020|access-date=23 May 2021}}

In February 2021, the film's first official trailer was released and distributor Republic Film Distribution earmarked its UK theatrical release for 7 May 2021.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.stylist.co.uk/entertainment/film/rare-beasts-billie-piper-film-trailer-release-date/484858|title=Rare Beasts: watch the twisted trailer for Billie Piper's new drama modern love|magazine=Stylist|first=Hollie|last=Richardson|date=|access-date=23 May 2021}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/trailers/a35491776/billie-piper-lily-james-rare-beasts-trailer/|title=Billie Piper and Lily James star in first trailer for dark new movie|magazine=Digital Spy|first=Chris|last=Edwards|date=12 February 2021|access-date=23 May 2021}} The film's release date was later revised to 21 May 2021,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/rare-beasts-release-date/|title=Rare Beasts release date: Everything you need to know about Billie Piper's directorial debut|magazine=Radio Times|first=Patrick|last=Cremona|date=28 April 2021|access-date=23 May 2021}} as government lockdown restrictions on indoor cinemas were lifted from 17 May in England, Scotland and Wales.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/uk-cinema-reopening-dates-latest-updates/5151313.article|title=UK cinema reopening dates: latest updates|magazine=Screen Daily|first=Ben|last=Dalton|date=12 May 2020|access-date=23 May 2021}} The film received a limited release in 30 cinemas across the UK and was simultaneously made available to purchase and stream on Amazon Prime Video and the Google Play Store.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/independent-distributors-see-opportunities-as-uk-cinemas-set-to-reopen/5159661.article|title=Independent distributors see opportunities as UK cinemas set to reopen|magazine=HITC|first=Ben|last=Dalton|date=14 May 2021|access-date=13 June 2021}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/05/21/rare-beasts-where-to-watch/|title=Rare Beasts: Where to watch the Billie Piper movie – Is it streaming on Netflix?|magazine=HITC|first=Christopher|last=Weston|date=22 May 2021|access-date=23 May 2021}}

Of the 51 reviews collected by review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, 71% were reported as being positive with an average rating of 6.1/10. The critics consensus reads: "Billie Piper's admirably bold directorial vision isn't quite enough to counter Rare Beasts' frustratingly shallow treatment of its weightier themes."{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/rare_beasts|title=Rare Beasts (2019)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango Media|access-date=25 November 2023}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{IMDb title|8419594}}

Category:2019 films

Category:2019 directorial debut films

Category:2019 drama films

Category:British drama films

Category:2010s English-language films

Category:2010s British films

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