Spoiler-Free Review of “The Beast in Me” on Netflix: Carrie Mathison is Back…Kind of!

**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“Sometimes bad things just happen…”

The Beast in Me premiered on Netflix on November 13th 2025 with all eight episodes available to stream now. The crime thriller mini-series stars Claire Danes, Matthew Rhys, Brittany Snow, Jonathan Banks, David Lyons, and Natalie Morales. Each episode runs for approximately 48-52 minutes.

After a family tragedy, Author Aggie Wiggs has trouble writing her next book until her new neighbor, Nile Jarvis moves in. After his wife went missing, he was blamed for her murder, but it was never proven, but Aggie begins to discover some connections of her own leading to a dangerous new friendship.

Here is the trailer:

The Beast in Me has a talented cast, an addicting premise, and quite a few entertaining reveals along the way to keep you invested until the end. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Claire Danes is back!

I’ve missed watching Claire as Carrie Mathison on Homeland and have been waiting for her to appear in a series like this. She was in Max’s series, Full Circle a few years back, but I thought this one was much more suited to her.

If you missed the over-the-top emotional crying and yelling…it’s back! But seriously, Claire Danes is absolutely terrific in this series and Matthew Rhys was charming in such an eerie way. The rest of the cast is stacked as well and there were quite a few familiar faces in this one.

Images courtesy of Netflix

A consuming watch!

I was hooked right from the opening episode. I loved the setting (I’m very familiar with it) and I thought it worked well against the chaos and turmoil going on between these characters. Each episode did just enough to pull me in for more and I found this series very easy to binge-watch. I finished all eight episodes in two days.

There were a few side-plots to deal with, but everything connected enough in the end so I didn’t mind this. Episode 7 was incredible!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Predictable at times…

Even though I enjoyed it, you can pretty much guess what’s going on in this one. None of the reveals were that surprising, but they were still satisfying enough. I really enjoyed my watch, but I would have appreciated at least one shocking twist here to keep me guessing.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in!

The Beast in Me is an engrossing watch enhanced by two powerhouse performances by Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys. 

This was such a nice surprise. I haven’t been able to get into a show in a while, but this one really hooked me and never slowed down for one second. Loved it!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Beast in Me in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A VACATION TO DIE FOR…

Blood Rose Island Ad

When sisters, Nina and Gemma are vacationing in Hawaii with their friends, they get invited to an exclusive party on a private island that seems too good to be true. There’s only one rulethey can’t miss their ferry at midnight or they’ll have to wait until morning to leave the island. Only they didn’t realize that breaking this rule meant they would be hunted down on the island one by one.

Who will make it off the island alive?

I hope you enjoy my island thriller!

Blood Rose Island is available here!

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My performance of the week ending 3/7/20 on TV goes to…

Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison on Showtime’s Homeland season 8.

As I continue to watch the final season of Homeland, it’s important to recognize and celebrate Claire Danes for her brilliant performances week after week. She has done so much more than merely becoming Carrie Mathison…she IS Carrie Mathison and she will forever be a legend because of it.

**Please note some spoilers are ahead if you are not caught up on the series.**

Homeland is always jam-packed with quite a lot each episode and you really have to be in the right frame of mind to watch the show, but it continues to captivate my undivided attention and if I start to drift off for even a moment, Carrie Mathison brings me right back. 

Homeland Showtime 2
Images courtesy of Showtime

While Carrie has displayed a million emotions over the seasons, I really prefer the Carrie who wants to get to the truth. Her board of theories and her drive to analyze every angle is beyond inspiring. She risks it all for her country, but she also has quite a few layers and blocks in her memory that make her even more of a dynamic character.

Sometimes Carrie is unsure if she can trust herself, but we know that her intentions are typically good. Does she get carried away sometimes? Absolutely, but I think it is a constant struggle for her to balance all of her intense emotions. She uses that intensity to be a major asset at her job, but it also takes a toll on her, as the rest of her emotions spiral out of control…especially when she is off her meds.

Each episode in season 8 has been absolutely fantastic so far. In season 8, episode 4, Carrie risks it all to help a woman in trouble. She doesn’t stress about following protocol or getting approval. She simply makes a decision based on her gut, understanding that doing the right thing doesn’t always follow the rule book.

What’s next for Carrie? Well, I imagine quite a lot after that major cliffhanger at the end of episode 4. It looks like she is going to have to put her theories to work to find out what is really happening and I’m assuming we will also start piecing together her missing memories to unlock those secrets.

Homeland Showtime 1
Images courtesy of Showtime

I’m intrigued to find out how it all ends. As much as I want a happy ending for Carrie so that she can be reunited with Franny, it’s somewhat unlikely that both she and Saul will make it out of this alive. A sacrifice will most likely be made and I’m not sure that I am prepared for it just yet, but I’m confident that Claire Danes will continue to deliver extraordinary performances for the remainder of the season.

I can’t wait to find out how it all ends!

What are some of YOUR theories?

Stay tuned for a recognized performance on TV each week!

Have a performance on TV that you think is simply outstanding? Feel free to contact me with your nomination for the week by Friday at midnight! 

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

Dreaming of Wonderland Series Final Chapter Blog

**Do you love television shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Once Upon a Time, Lost, Charmed, The Vampire Diaries, and Supernatural? Do you enjoy dark fantasy, fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, horror, and mystery? Then you may like my book series, Dreaming of Wonderland…available on Amazon! Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well. I really hope you enjoy!

Free Instant Preview of The Search for Alice is available here!

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