Detective Catherine Chandler is a smart, no-nonsense homicide detective. When she was a teenager, she witnessed the murder of her mother at the hands of two gunmen and herself was saved by someone – or something. Years have passed and while investigating a murder, Catherine discovers a clue that leads her to Vincent Keller, who was reportedly killed in 2002. Catherine learns that Vincent is actually still alive and that it was he who saved her many years before. For mysterious reasons that have forced him to live outside of traditional society, Vincent has been in hiding for the past 10 years to guard his secret – when he is enraged, he becomes a terrifying beast, unable to control his super-strength and heightened senses.
Detective Catherine Chandler is a smart, no-nonsense homicide detective. When she was a teenager, she witnessed the murder of her mother at the hands of two gunmen and herself was saved by someone – or something. Years have passed and while investigating a murder, Catherine discovers a clue that leads her to Vincent Keller, who was reportedly killed in 2002. Catherine learns that Vincent is actually still alive and that it was he who saved her many years before. For mysterious reasons that have forced him to live outside of traditional society, Vincent has been in hiding for the past 10 years to guard his secret – when he is enraged, he becomes a terrifying beast, unable to control his super-strength and heightened senses.
The film leans left due to its strong critique of prejudice, superficiality, and toxic masculinity (embodied by Gaston), alongside its celebration of female independence, intellect, and empathy. While the resolution is a traditional romantic fantasy, the core narrative's moral compass and the problems it addresses align with progressive values.
The film incorporates explicit DEI elements through the recasting of traditionally white supporting roles with minority actors and the explicit portrayal of a gay character. Its narrative also critiques traditional male identities through its antagonist and the protagonist's initial character arc.
The film includes LeFou, a minor character whose implied same-sex attraction is subtly acknowledged. His unrequited feelings for Gaston are hinted at, and he shares a brief dance with another man. This portrayal is incidental, neither significantly uplifting nor denigrating, and does not form a central part of the narrative.
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
The 2012 series reimagines the core concept of Beauty and the Beast with new characters, but the titular roles maintain their canonical genders (female 'Beauty' and male 'Beast'). No established supporting characters from prior canon are gender-swapped.
The 2012 TV series adaptation of "Beauty and the Beast" does not feature any characters whose race was canonically established as one race in prior material and then portrayed as a different race in this production. The main characters' portrayals align with or do not significantly deviate from their widely understood racial depictions.
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources