Movie Profile: BEASTLY (2011)
| Attribute | Details |
| Title | Beastly |
| Release Date | March 4, 2011 (USA) |
| Director | Daniel Barnz |
| Writer | Daniel Barnz (Based on the 2007 novel Beastly by Alex Flinn) |
| Genre | Romantic Fantasy, Teen Drama |
| Runtime | 86 minutes |
| Budget | $17 million |
| Box Office | $31.7 million worldwide |
| Lead Cast |
• Alex Pettyfer (Kyle Kingson / Hunter) • Vanessa Hudgens (Lindy Taylor) • Mary-Kate Olsen (Kendra Hilferty) • Neil Patrick Harris (Will Fratalli) • Lisa Gay Hamilton (Zola Davies) • Peter Krause (Rob Kingson) |
Trailer
Plot Overview
Kyle Kingson (Alex Pettyfer) is an arrogant, shallow high school student in New York City who relies strictly on his good looks and wealth to dominate his peers. After publicly humiliating a goth classmate named Kendra (Mary-Kate Olsen) at a school event, Kendra reveals herself to be a witch. To teach him a lesson about inner beauty, she casts a curse on Kyle, transforming his handsome appearance into a heavily scarred, tattooed, and disfigured form.
Kendra gives Kyle one year to find someone who can see past his exterior and sincerely say “I love you,” or he will remain permanently transformed. Abandoned by his superficial news anchor father (Peter Krause) and hidden away in a Brooklyn townhouse, Kyle retreats from the world with only his blind tutor Will (Neil Patrick Harris) and housekeeper Zola (Lisa Gay Hamilton) for company.
Desperate for redemption, Kyle focuses on Lindy Taylor (Vanessa Hudgens), a kind-hearted classmate he secretly admired. When circumstances force Lindy to stay at his townhouse for her safety, Kyle conceals his true identity under the alias “Hunter.” As they spend time together, Kyle learns humility and empathy, hoping Lindy can break the curse before time runs out.
Key Themes & Features
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Modern Beauty and the Beast Reimagining: The film serves as a contemporary urban retake on the classic fairytale, placing the narrative within the high-stakes, appearance-obsessed culture of modern high school teens.
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Standout Supporting Cast: Neil Patrick Harris provides key comedic relief and emotional warmth as the blind tutor, while Mary-Kate Olsen portrays the eccentric witch who sets the story in motion.
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Young Adult Adaptation Era: Released during the peak of the early-2010s YA fantasy boom, Beastly leans into themes of self-worth, outer vs. inner beauty, and personal transformation.