Beast review: Jessie Buckley is a real star in this juicy serial killer flick

But since John Nettles swapped the Channel Islands for the crime-ravaged villages of Midsomer, a serial killer has been working his way through the womenfolk.

An early scene revealing the discovery of a fourth body adds an air of uneasiness to director Michael Pearce’s carefully constructed set-up. We’re at a birthday barbecue for 27-yearold tour guide Moll (Jessie Buckley).

It’s her big day but when her sister steals the limelight by announcing her pregnancy, their mother Hilary (Geraldine James) packs her off to the shed to get champagne.

After ducking out of the party for a night and morning on the tiles, Moll runs into Pascal (Johnny Flynn), a handyman out doing a spot of poaching near a beachside nightclub. 

Sparks fly, and we begin to wonder about that rifle over his shoulder.

Moll, possibly to wind up her mother, asks Pascal to work on the family home.

To her secret delight, he arrives in boots caked in muck, which he proceeds to stamp into the Axminister.

Worse is to come.

As she starts dating the handyman, Cliff (Trystan Gravelle), a cop with designs on Moll, reveals Pascal is the prime suspect in the murders.

Moll keeps her cards close to her chest.

We get why our heroine has a thing for bad boys but there’s something of the night about her too.

She also toys with the possibility that she is excited by the prospect of sleeping with the enemy.

This is a genuine star-in-the-making turn from the Irishwoman. A superhero franchise probably beckons.