‘Beware the beast within’
Uncaged is a 2015 American supernatural horror film produced and directed by Daniel Robbins (Pledge) from a screenplay co-written with Mark Rapaport. Also released as Beast Within.
Plot:
Orphaned as a child in the wake of a grisly tragedy, Jack was raised alongside his cousin and best friend, Brandon. At age eighteen, however, Jack’s otherwise uneventful life takes a sinister turn when he’s suddenly plagued by a series of bizarre sleepwalking episodes.
After repeatedly waking up in the woods naked with no memory of the night before, Jack straps a camera to himself to document his behaviour—and discovers a shocking truth: he is the unwitting heir to a monstrous family legacy of savagery, slaughter, and unrelenting horror from which death may be the only escape!
Reviews:
“Robbins and Rapaport write strong dialogue and understand the bases that must be covered to craft an engaging piece of work. There’s a transformation sequence that places impressive practical effects under the spotlight. The werewolf design, something of a minimalized look, also stimulates the mind. There are a number of strong elements to respect here, and that would take to the forefront of our minds if not for those damn subplots that operate as constant distractions.” Addicted to Horror Movies
” …while Uncaged is decently acted, there’s a lot of plot points that feel forced or unwarranted […] Of course, as in every werewolf film, during the two-minute werewolf transformation scene, everyone stops and stares instead of running for their lives, which I always found to be inexplicably dumb. Still, there’s a fun emotional core to this one between the three leads and when the werewolf in Uncaged is finally uncaged, it isn’t half bad.” Ain’t It Cool News
“Beast Within is a pretty film but lacks a well-told story to really grip the audience. If the story was stronger and the tone didn’t fluctuate between serious and comedic, then this might have turned out better than it did. Hopefully, the next film by Daniel Robbins can bring a good story to match his impressive visuals.” UK Horror Scene
Release:
The film was released in the US on DVD and digital download on February 2, 2016, via Image Entertainment and on 15 February in the UK via Matchbox Films.
Cast and characters:
Ben Getz … Jack
Kyle Kirkpatrick … Turner
Zack Weiner … Brandon
Paulina Singer … Rose
Garrett Hendricks … Gonzo (as Garrett Lee Hendricks)
Michelle Cameron … Crystal
Gene Jones … Wade
Alex Emanuel … Uncle Mike
Yosef Podolski … Izek
Johnny M. Faulkner … Carl
Angela Atwood … Jack’s Mom
Brian Sullivan … Jack’s Dad (as Brian Patrick Sullivan)
Benjamin Beretz … Young Jack (as Benji Beretz)
Looch Gelfand … Frat Bro #1
Michael Gelfand … Frat Bro #1
Ben Rapaport … Frat Bro #2
Michele Ammon … News Reporter
Miles Shannon … Morris
Kelsey Hopkins … Party Girl #1
Abby Hart … Party Girl #2
Mark H. Rapaport … Crackhead (as Mark Rapaport)
Philip Merkin … Young Uncle Mike
Adam Werth … Teacher’s Assistant (uncredited)
Notes:
It should not be confused with the 2008 film Never Cry Werewolf, which was re-released in the UK by High Fliers in September 2015 as Uncaged. Similarly, it should not be confused with The Beast Within (1982) or Delivery: The Beast Within (2013). The following DVD release is a retitling of Never Cry Werewolf (2008):
