For television fans, 2025 was a year to remember—and at the center of the buzz was Netflix’s psychological thriller The Beast In Me. This eight-episode series not only climbed the streaming platform’s top 10 charts but also brought together a powerhouse cast, including Brittany Snow, Claire Danes, and Matthew Rhys, each delivering performances that left viewers and critics alike reeling.
It’s not every day that an actor dominates the small screen the way Brittany Snow did in 2025. According to Collider, Snow’s year was packed with headline roles: she kicked things off with a guest appearance on The Night Agent, stunned audiences in The Hunting Wives, and took on a pivotal part as Mandy Matney in Murdaugh: Death in the Family. But it was her turn as Nina Jarvis in The Beast In Me that truly cemented her status as one of television’s most versatile performers.
The series itself is a masterclass in suspense and character study. At its heart is Aggie Wiggs, played by Claire Danes, a grieving author struggling to move forward after the tragic loss of her son. When Nile Jarvis (Matthew Rhys) moves in next door, Aggie’s curiosity is piqued. She soon finds herself entangled in his world, using him as the subject of her latest book. But as the layers peel back, dark truths about Nile and his mysterious past begin to surface.
Matthew Rhys, renowned for his roles in The Americans and Brothers and Sisters, delivers what many are calling the performance of his career. Typically cast as the affable good guy, Rhys’s portrayal of Nile—a man suspected of murdering his first wife and hiding in plain sight with his second—has been described by fans and critics as “absolutely chilling.” One Reddit user, quoted by the Mirror, wrote, “I have been a huge fan of Matthew Rhys for years. Hello, Brothers and Sisters, and The Americans. He usually plays the good guy. What a departure this role was. His facial expressions alone are so telling. He definitely pulled off the suave sociopathic part hands down.”
The critical reception has been equally glowing. As of November 30, 2025, The Beast In Me held an impressive 84 percent “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a testament to its gripping narrative and standout performances. Critic Riese Bernard, as reported by the Mirror, praised Danes’s nuanced portrayal: “Danes, as always, delivers a masterclass in vacillating vulnerability; in moments where the mask falls and in those where he smoothly puts it on.” Ricky Valero added, “Each week, you have ample options to watch on TV, but The Beast In Me is a can’t-miss crime thriller. Matthew Rhys gives one of the most terrifying performances of the year.”
But while much of the early attention centered on Danes and Rhys, Brittany Snow’s Nina Jarvis quietly became the series’ emotional linchpin. As detailed by Collider, Nina starts out as the archetypal doting wife—seemingly secondary to the drama unfolding between Aggie and Nile. Yet, as Nile’s story unravels and the truth about his missing wife, Madison Ingram, comes to light, Nina emerges as a force to be reckoned with. She’s not just a bystander; she’s the catalyst for Nile’s downfall, deducing his guilt and ultimately ensuring his arrest.
Snow’s journey as Nina is a study in subtlety and transformation. “I do find that I get to play a lot of women who, on the surface, look and act a certain way, and then turn out to be something else. That always intrigues me,” Snow told Tudum. Her performance is layered, showing Nina as both a survivor and an active participant in her own fate. She begins as Nile’s assistant at Madison’s art gallery, then steps into both the role of gallery manager and wife—decisions made as much for self-preservation as for love. By the series’ end, Nina’s arc is complete: she’s no longer the submissive partner but a woman who confronts the beast in her life—and perhaps, as hinted in the final moments, the beast within herself.
Viewers took note. On social media and in online forums, praise for Snow’s nuanced performance echoed that of the critics. One fan summed it up: “She can fight when she feels cornered, but it’s not brutal like Nile. There was always sincerity in Snow’s Nina, even when she revealed the truth about Madison’s betrayal.”
The series doesn’t shy away from exploring the psychology of its characters. While Nile’s monstrous tendencies drive much of the plot, it’s Nina’s evolution that lingers. In one of the show’s most powerful scenes, she holds her child, haunted by the fear that darkness might be hereditary. The question lingers: Is anyone truly free from their inner beast?
Beyond her breakout in The Beast In Me, Snow’s 2025 proved she’s far more than the “utility actress” some once pegged her as. From her beginnings on Guiding Light to her star-making turn in American Dreams and the blockbuster Pitch Perfect franchise, Snow has steadily built a career marked by range and resilience. This year, as Collider put it, she “shed her previous on-screen persona for meatier roles with heft.” Whether leading a series or stealing scenes in a supporting role, Snow has shown she can tackle drama, comedy, and even high-octane thrillers with equal skill.
Meanwhile, the success of The Beast In Me has sparked calls for more series in the same vein. As one viewer put it, “I just finished this series. I am hoping its popularity will help propel similar types to be made.” With the show’s critical acclaim and robust audience engagement, it seems likely Netflix—and its competitors—will be paying attention.
For those who haven’t yet tuned in, The Beast In Me is currently streaming on Netflix. With its intricately crafted characters, haunting performances, and a plot that keeps viewers guessing until the very end, it’s no surprise the series has become the talk of the streaming world. As 2025 draws to a close, Brittany Snow, Claire Danes, and Matthew Rhys have given audiences a thriller that’s as thought-provoking as it is entertaining—one that’s sure to linger in the minds of viewers long after the credits roll.
