Movie: Werewolf by Night
Production Company: Marvel Studios
Director: Michael Giacchino
Producer: Leeann Stonebreaker
Scriptwriters: Heather Quinn, Peter Cameron
Main Cast: Gael Garcia Bernal, Laura Donnelly, Harriet Samson Harris
Release Date: October 7th 2022
Running Time: 53 minutes
Certificate: 15
Introduction
Am I cheating by calling Werewolf by Night a movie? Potentially yes but honestly this feels like the most well received MCU project since Infinity War and Endgame. However, while I may be cheating in calling Werewolf by Night a film as it only clocks in at 54 minutes, it certainly feels like a mini MCU film with how it seemingly shows a new, darker side of the MCU. Anyway whether or not you’d class it as a film there is no denying how good it is. So without further ado here is my review of the film.
Synopsis
Werewolf by Night is a spinoff film which follows a group of hunters assemble to kill the titular Werewolf. Why would they want to participate in this hunt for the Werewolf? Well because they would become the new heir and holder of the Bloodstone. Now just know this is a generic item of massive importance to all the hunters. Anyway, as the hunt begins to escalate two hunters Jack and Elsa agree to work and team up against the ‘monster’ Ted. However anyone with some sort of knowledge knows Ted was never the monster of the film.
All of this culminates in the Werewolf who definitely isn’t one of the Hunters at the start of the film needing help in order to stop Verussa from claiming her ex-husband’s Bloodstone and assuming command of the hunters. So anyway, how long will it take for this spinoff to receive some proper connection to the MCU? Well at least until Secret Wars reveals Werewolves in the MCU but that’s just speculation from me. So without further ado, let’s get into the analysis portion of the review.
Analysis
Black and White in Werewolf by Night
To begin my analysis of Werewolf by Night, I’m going to discuss the most obvious feature of the film: the fact it’s shot in black and white. Now automatically this draws the audience in from the classic Marvel logo. I say this because about a quarter of the way the logo and soundtrack go black and white, not too dissimilarly to classic 1920s horror films. This already symbolises how this is going to be a very different take on the classic MCU entry.
Also, speaking of 1920s horror films that very accurately sums up the feel of Werewolf by Night. I say this because of how the monster is treated as an outsider despite it ending up being very misunderstood by Verussa and the rest of the hunters. Also, back to discussing the black and white nature of Werewolf by Night it also makes the film feel older within the overall MCU. This feels pretty self explanatory as the black and white is often associated with older events. Now, the other major effect of the black and white is it just makes the film feel unique as simply put no other MCU project feels like Werewolf by Night. That is definitely a good thing to be fair….
Soundtrack in Werewolf by Night
Continuing my analysis of Werewolf by Night, I’m going to discuss the soundtrack and why it adds to the atmosphere within Werewolf by Night. Now if the name Michael Giacchino rings a bell, that’s because he’s been behind a lot of recent superhero film scores and also Lost. Now this is a man who recently composed scores for No Way Home and The Batman. So he’s probably the most qualified to score a soundtrack that creates suspense. So enough about Giacchino’s credentials, what are some examples of the fantastic soundtrack in Werewolf by Night?
Well again take the opening credits. Here the classic Marvel theme is pitched in combination with the remixed Marvel opening. This immediately sets the tone for the film’s soundtrack: paying homage to the classic Warner Bros monster films. Again take the opening scene where Verussa and her husband explain how one hunter will be able to wield the Bloodstone. Here the soundtrack ominously builds as each hunter is dispatched after the Werewolf. This creates a further level of suspense and tension as we aren’t able to see how each hunter is doing thus making us worry for them in a weird way.
Potential Universe Building in Werewolf by Night
To conclude my analysis I’m going to discuss the potential universe building that could happen post Werewolf by Night. Now obviously there is going to be a crossover with it and the rest of the MCU but the question is where will this be? Despite recent Marvel films being fine, cough Thor Love and Thunder cough, the potential universe building and references are easily still the best part of each new project. So obviously the most sensible place for Werewolf by Night to crossover into the MCU is probably Mahershala Ali’s Blade.
Why do I say this? Well the fact that both vampires and werewolves are classic Warner Bros horror/monster villains. That and the fact Blade is already quite supernatural in its own right. And doesn’t want to see the Werewolf by Night square off with an immortal vampire hunter? And I haven’t even mentioned the possibility of Werewolf by Night being involved with the Secret Wars Disney+ series yet. Honestly I’ve not been this happy about a Marvel project in a while….
Summary
To summarise Werewolf by Night, this is a fun, well directed and unique spinoff from the MCU. It also promises to actually entertain you consistently thanks to the unique presentation, a brilliant Michael Giacchino score and the potential ways Kevin Feige could bring the titular werewolves into the rest of the MCU. And honestly it’s the most interesting Marvel project since the Infinity Saga ended so that’s something.
Overall Rating: 7.5/10 – Good
Target Audience: 15+
Content Warning: Severe Violence and Gore, Mild Profanity, Moderate Frightening and Intense Scenes
Recommendation: Yes
