The Beast of the City

  • 1932
  • NR
  • 86m
movieMx RATING
5.9/1027
VERDICT
ABOVE AVERAGE
Advertisement

Performance & Direction: The Beast of the City Review

Last updated: February 8, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: February 8, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The Beast of the City (1932) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.9/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Crime.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Crime is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Beast of the City features a noteworthy lineup led by Walter Huston . Supported by the likes of Jean Harlow and Wallace Ford , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of The Beast of the City (1932) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.9/10, it stands as a decent one-time watch.
Result: ABOVE AVERAGE
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, The Beast of the City stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE.

Story & Plot Summary: The Beast of the City

Quick Plot Summary: The Beast of the City is a Crime, Drama film that dives into the criminal underworld with a grounded sense of realism and complex morality. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.

Ending Explained: The Beast of the City

Ending Breakdown: The Beast of the City attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to crime resolution.

The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the crime themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of The Beast of the City reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

The Beast of the City Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?

The Beast of the City incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a crime, drama film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.

Historical Context

The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.

Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.

Accuracy Assessment: The Beast of the City adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.

Who Should Watch The Beast of the City?

Consider Watching If:

  • You're a completist for Crime films
  • You're curious despite mixed reviews
  • You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Advertisement

Top Cast: The Beast of the City

All Cast & Crew →
Walter Huston
Walter HustonCaptain James "Jim" Fitzpatrick aka Fighting Fitz
Jean Harlow
Jean HarlowDaisy Stevens aka Mildred Beaumont
Wallace Ford
Wallace FordDetective Ed Fitzpatrick
Jean Hersholt
Jean HersholtSamuel "Sam" Belmonte
Dorothy Peterson
Dorothy PetersonMary Fitzpatrick
Tully Marshall
Tully MarshallDefence Attorney Michaels
Emmett Corrigan
Emmett CorriganChief of Police "Burt" Burton
Warner Richmond
Warner RichmondDetective Tom
Sandy Roth
Sandy RothLieutenant John "Mac" Majkowski
J. Carrol Naish
J. Carrol NaishPietro Cholo
John Miljan
John MiljanDistrict Attorney
Edward Brophy
Edward BrophyPolice Dispatcher (uncredited)
Advertisement

Where to Watch The Beast of the City Online?

Streaming Hub

🎟️ Rent on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube
Fandango At HomeFandango At Home

🏷️ Buy on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube
Fandango At HomeFandango At Home

The Beast of the City Parents Guide & Age Rating

1932 Advisory
NR

Official Age Rating

Wondering about The Beast of the City age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

The Beast of the City is rated NR. Parents should be aware that it contains mature themes, violence.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The Beast of the City is 86 minutes (1h 26m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.9/10, and global performance metrics, The Beast of the City is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1932 cinematic calendar.

ABOVE AVERAGE
Official movieMx status for The Beast of the City. Rating: 5.9/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Beast of the City worth watching?

The Beast of the City is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 5.9/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.

Where can I find The Beast of the City parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for The Beast of the City identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of The Beast of the City?

The total duration of The Beast of the City is 86 minutes, which is approximately 1h 26m long.

Best Movies to Watch if you liked The Beast of the City

How The Beast of the City Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for The Beast of the City

No reviews found for this filter.

🛡️

movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

Advertisement
Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 5.9
The Beast of the City
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/the-beast-of-the-city-20675" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 5.9</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">The Beast of the City</div></div></a>

Share this rating on your blog or website. Includes a 100% organic backlink.

More with Walter Huston

View full filmography