GUILTY? Claire Danes stars a blocked writer Aggie Wiggs, who finally believes she’s found something worth writing about in suspected murderer Nile Jarvis (Matthew Rhys), in The Beast in Me, streaming on Netflix. Credit: PHOTO COURTESY OF NETFLIX

Aggie Wiggs (Claire Danes) is a reclusive author, walled into a world of her own making. New neighbor and billionaire Nile Jarvis (Matthew Rhys) and his wife, Nina (Brittany Snow), move in and soon disrupt Aggie’s solitude, and Nile comes to Aggie with an interesting proposal. 

THE BEAST IN ME
What’s it rated? TV-MA
When? 2025
Where’s it showing? Netflix

Nile, whose character is loosely based on Robert Durst from The Jinx, is suspected in the strange disappearance of his first wife, Madison (Leila George), but has never had formal charges brought against him. He wants Aggie to write a book about his story. His new wife, Nina, who also happened to be Madison’s best friend, proclaims his innocence, but the court of public opinion decidedly thinks Nile is a killer.

Rhys is astonishingly creepy in this role—the smarmy mix of charm and villainy oozes from him. Danes is fantastic as the jumpy, suspicious author whose personal demons and loss have completely overtaken her life. Nile seems to be playing a game with Aggie, and his snakish charm manages to ensnare even her, though every ounce of her thinks him to be a killer. This psychological thriller is propulsive, dark, and electrifying. Buckle up, this one is quite the ride. (eight 41- to 54-min. episodes) ∆

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