Written by Nigel Kneale, it is an anthology of six self-contained episodes that feature the recurring theme of bestial horror.

[3] Each episode was based around some form of bestial horror while avoiding typical monster horror clichès, more so focusing on psychological and supernatural themes.

For example, "The Dummy" and "What Big Eyes" are psychological horrors focusing on men who think they are the creatures they obsess over, and "Buddy Boy", "Special Offer" and "Baby" have supernatural elements.

"During Barty's Party" is the only episode to have actual 'beasts' as the main threat, them being large rats.

[10] This set also included a similarly themed TV play called Murrain that Kneale had written for ITV's Against the Crowd series in 1975.