Beautiful Creatures (Movie Review)

*Updated 2026

In 2026, after the YA fantasy wave has settled into nostalgia, Beautiful Creatures reads like a reminder of how hard it was to escape the shadow of Twilight.

We all know that no matter what, books are always better than movies because they have the advantage to be as detailed as possible. Putting that aside, I think director Richard LaGravenese did a good job with Beautiful Creatures, staying very close to the source material.

I will get the Twilight comparison out of the way and agree that this is a lot like that saga except that in this film we get much better acting and effects. This is without a doubt going to become the next teen addiction. The four books written by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl have been on the New York Times bestselling list for a while.

The film definitely makes every moment more dramatic. The last thirty minutes are very chaotic, but the nice part is that it is all unexpected and that trick is not bad. For anyone interested, just remember this is very much directed towards a teen audience like Twilight was, so keep your expectations leveled.

In the small town of Gatlin, South Carolina, where nothing ever happens, 17-year-old Ethan Wate (Alden Ehrenreich) awaits his high school graduation. Born and raised there, he wants to escape the monotony and travel the world. But when Lena Duchannes (Alice Englert), the niece of the town’s shut-in Macon Ravenwood (Jeremy Irons), comes into town, everything changes.

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Lena has supernatural powers, and being an outsider makes her an outcast. However, Ethan is attracted to her and tries to break her shell to get to know her. The two must turn against the whole town and their leader, Mrs. Lincoln (Emma Thompson).

They also face some of Lena’s relatives like Ridley Duchannes (Emmy Rossum). With the help of Ethan’s best friend Link (Thomas Mann) and Amma (Viola Davis), they will do anything to be together.

The script surprisingly mixes in a lot of comedy and charm, which helps give the film a more lighthearted and likeable quality. Alden Ehrenreich is fantastic and steals almost every scene he is in. He has talent and shows it both in the comedic and more dramatic scenes, proving he will easily become the next heartthrob.

Rossum is my next favorite; she is perfect for this role and shows her potential. Irons and Thompson are also great, and give the film a good balance with the adult lead they provide. Davis is the heart of the film and you immediately are sympathetic towards her, her being one of the few humans.

Mann really plays the role of a secondary character that is barely noticeable. I leave Englert for last because she really is the only thing that does not shine here. She feels out of place and does not seem to have the appeal to bring the public to like her.

The changes made so that the script could fit better in the big screen do not bother me. I think it gives it a tighter and neater feel, although beware those that loved the book the ending is a bit different here. The time frame seems a little off at the beginning where it all seems to happen in the span of two days or so.

Referring back to rushing relationships, this one feels rushed towards the middle and it takes away some of the magic of the story. This pace starts making things somewhat confusing and that is when the overdramatic part of the script comes in.

The southern setting is beautiful. The accents, landscapes, and sceneries really complement the film and its beauty. There are times when it is hard to understand what the characters are saying or even what is happening with all the supernatural stuff.

The thing that gets the movie going and will have you buying your ticket for the sequel is the charm, beauty, elegance, and sophistication it has to draw you in. If you were disappointed to not have a Twilight movie coming out once a year, this one will be an easy replacement with a higher production value than the previous craze.

Watch the official trailer below.

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