Original Title: Beast: A Monster Among Men
- Release Year: 2012/2013
- Director: Mike Lenzini
- Writers: Mike Lenzini & Darren Flores
- Main Cast: T.J. Lavin, Blake Farris, Darren Flores, Eric Waltzer
- Genre: Horror, Thriller, Mystery
- Runtime: ~72 minutes
A
Monster Among Men (also known as Beast: A Monster Among Men) is a low-budget
horror-thriller that blends slasher motifs with creature-feature elements.
Directed and co-written by Mike Lenzini, the film unfolds as a tense and
claustrophobic tale of friends trapped in the wilderness, hunted by an unseen
menace whose origins and motives remain ambiguous until the final moments.
Story Summary
The
story begins with six friends — a tight-knit group looking for some time away
from their usual lives — heading out for a vacation near Six Rivers National
Forest. The plan is simple: rest, laugh, and enjoy the isolation of a secluded
cabin far from city noise.
What
starts as a friendly getaway quickly turns sour when tensions flare up among
the group. An argument — seemingly trivial at first — forces them to split up.
Once divided, each subplot begins to spiral toward chaos. Tree trunks creak,
shadows lurk, and an unsettling silence falls over the forest as night
descends.
As
the night deepens, the group’s harmony breaks down completely. One by one, the
friends encounter something deadly lurking in the wilderness. Is it a primal
human killer? Or is it something far more formidable — a cryptid or monster
native to the forest that preys on those who stray too far from safety?
Bodies
begin to fall, trust erodes, and soon only a couple of survivors remain. The
tension shifts from rivalry and suspicion among friends to a desperate struggle
for survival against an unknown terror. Each confrontation forces the
characters — and the audience — to ask: how well do you really know your
friends? And how well do you know yourself when fear takes hold?
The
finale gives a glimpse of the creature responsible, blurring the line between
human and beast and leaving viewers wondering whether the real horror was the
monster in the woods or the darkness that unfolded among the group.
Film Review
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Monster Among Men is a quintessential independent horror feature — lean in
runtime, rough in execution, and unabashedly pulpy in its concept. With a
modest estimated budget (rumored to be around $20,000), the film relies mainly
on atmosphere and character conflict rather than high-end creature effects or
polished cinematography.
T.J.
Lavin — known outside cinema as a television personality — brings a rugged
presence to the screen, while Blake Farris and Darren Flores carry much of the
ensemble dynamic. Performances are naturalistic rather than theatrical,
reflecting the film’s indie roots and the fact that several cast members were
not full-time actors.
The
horror elements are understated — there’s no excessive gore or CGI spectacle.
Instead, the film builds its tension through sparse wilderness settings,
flickering shadows, and off-screen threats, a technique that can recall
classics like The Blair Witch Project where imagination fills in the blanks.
Critically,
A Monster Among Men has not been a fan favorite on major review platforms. On
Rotten Tomatoes, its limited audience ratings are low, with many citing
uninspired pacing and predictability as drawbacks. Nevertheless, the film finds
a niche appeal among viewers who enjoy gritty, atmospheric horror with a
cryptid twist — especially those open to indie storytelling over studio polish.
Commentary
One
of the film’s core themes is the breakdown of camaraderie under pressure.
Friends who once laughed around a campfire must soon face mistrust and fear as
external danger mirrors their internal discord. This psychological unraveling
adds a layer of complexity to what could otherwise be a straightforward
creature feature.
The
setting in the wilderness — isolated cabins near forest expanses — plays into
horror lore’s longstanding fear of nature as both beautiful and perilous. In
many creature films, the natural world serves as a tar pit for human arrogance,
and here too, the environment becomes an antagonist that amplifies fear and
uncertainty.
Whether
the “monster” is interpreted literally or as a metaphor for internal darkness,
the film’s bleak tone resonates with audiences attuned to psychological horror
more than jump scares.
Behind the Scenes
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Monster Among Men was directed by Mike Lenzini, who also served multiple roles
including producer, screenwriter, editor, and even actor — a common practice in
low-budget independent cinema where multi-role involvement keeps costs down.
The
screenplay was co-written by Lenzini and Darren Flores, and the project was
produced alongside names including Sean Gearing and T.J. Lavin. The film was
released in October 2013 and has since been distributed on various digital
platforms like Amazon Video, Plex, and Fandango at Home, making it widely
accessible despite its indie origins.
The
practical approach to production — using real forest locations and minimal
special effects — gives A Monster Among Men a raw, grounded look that aligns
with its story of fear and isolation. The cinematography and sound design were
deliberately minimalistic, heightening the tension without relying on flashy
visuals.
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