Werewolf by Night will be streaming on Disney+ on Oct. 7, 2022.
It was a dark and stormy night at Bloodstone Manor… if you recognize that cliche, you might also recognize the well-worn premise of Werewolf by Night, a stylish homage to the classic Universal monster movies from the 1930s and 40s. But while Universal itself has faltered in bringing its monsters back to the big screen, Werewolf by Night is a mesmerising celebration of everything those classic horrors were all about.
The special effects are often purposefully janky, using retro-style smoke and mirrors, while the entire thing is shot in black and white. The unmistakable cigarette burns add to its authenticity. It’s definitely not your usual Marvel movie, and that’s such a good thing.
Werewolf by Night tells the story of Jack Russell (Gael Garcia Bernal), a well-dressed man among a group of monster hunters who have gathered for a ritual hunt following the death of their leader. It should come as no surprise that all is not as it seems, and as the event becomes a fight to the death for control of the guild, we learn that the hunters are tasked with taking down a monster to retrieve the Bloodstone – a powerful artifact that also gives control of the guild to its wielder.
This mysterious setup is steeped in age-old horror tropes, and it’s all the better for it. A dead relative, a cantankerous widow, and a spooky-looking mansion evoke long-dead Hollywood horrors such as Dracula, Frankenstein, and of course, The Wolf Man.
Enter Elsa Bloodstone (Laura Donnelly), the long-estranged daughter of Ulysses Bloodstone who has returned to the fold to claim what is rightfully hers. She’s not like the other hunters, and sees a certain something in Jack that she can’t put her finger on. Their dynamic is reminiscent of Larry and Gwen from The Wolf Man, and that’s no happy accident – everything in Werewolf by Night is crafted to evoke those classic horror movies.
Director Michael Giacchino is clearly a fan. The attention to detail in this well-crafted special is phenomenal, with the titular werewolf appearing with practical makeup in a style that’s very obviously inspired by The Wolf Man.
When we finally do see the werewolf, it descends into a far gorier rampage than you might expect – especially considering it’s a Marvel movie.
When it comes to the werewolf’s transformation scene, this too is played for authenticity. Sidestepping the kind of over-the-top digital effects that we’ve become accustomed to in a Marvel movie, the werewolf instead transforms off-screen, with only a split-second glimpse that evokes a certain scene from An American Werewolf in London.
Giacchino proves himself to be a master of the long, slow zoom, with the camera inching its way closer and closer to the terrified Elsa’s face as we see only the shadowy silhouette of the man turning into a monster. It’s a neat trick that really heightens the tension and anticipation… and when we finally do see the werewolf, it descends into a far gorier rampage than you might expect – especially considering it’s a Marvel movie.
Although Werewolf by Night is far bloodier than your usual Marvel flick, that’s not to say it becomes an all-out gore fest; quite the opposite. It’s far more tense than it has any right to be, with an incredible spooky atmosphere that uses old-school lighting techniques to recreate the tone of those early horror films.
As you might expect from a composer-turned-director like Giacchino, the soundtrack is especially neat, using age-old horror strings and timpani drums to create a thoroughly familiar sound. All in all, it’s a classic horror lover’s dream – but that’s not to say it doesn’t have a few surprises, too.
Giacchino uses deft camera work, classic special effects, and noir lighting to evoke a very particular kind of throwback horror.
Along with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness earlier this year, Werewolf by Night is one of Marvel’s first tentative steps into the darker corners of its cinematic universe. With that in mind, you’ll find references to other Marvel characters, as well as one particular appearance that should have comics fans cheering. Leaning into the macabre side of the MCU is no small feat, but Werewolf by Night makes it look easy. The simplicity of its premise and the lean nature of its storytelling (at a brisk 53 minutes) deserves applause, and Giacchino does a lot of heavy lifting when it comes to dragging Marvel into the darkness. Doing it via a retro-style horror flick is a stroke of genius.
Gael Garcia Bernal is excellent in the role of Jack, wearing the weight of his task on his face as he enters the lion’s den. Equally, Laura Donnelly plays the kick-ass Elsa with a strength and fortitude that’s needed, given Jack’s restrained nature. The chemistry between the two is wonderful, and there’s even a cute buddy pairing that might rival the Avengers’ science bros for best Marvel pals.
Werewolf by Night is a neat, modern twist on the classic Universal horrors that sets up a whole corner of the MCU we’ve never seen before. Dragging us kicking and screaming into the darkness, Giacchino uses deft camera work, classic special effects, and noir lighting to evoke a very particular kind of throwback horror… and it’s so well-made that you can almost envisage it as a forgotten favorite. Throw in a Vincent Price-style voiceover and a nerve-jangling retro soundtrack and Werewolf by Night has all the stylings of a modern-day horror classic.
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