Werewolf by Night is a refreshing departure from MCU TV properties of late. While most of these shows, such as Ms. Marvel, Moon Knight, and She-Hulk have broken new ground and tried to do variations on the MCU formula, they also suffer from adhering too closely to that same formula when it comes to finales. Werewolf by Night hits the sweet spot between a 40-minute TV episode and a 2-hour movie, taking enough time to tell a complete story while also avoiding getting bogged down in unnecessary fluff.
Jack Russell (Gael Garcia Bernal) is one of the many hunters gathered in the Bloodstone estate following the death of patriarch Ulysses Bloodstone. The powerful artifact the Bloodstone has been attached to a monster, and the hunters must track it down and kill it to take the gem and claim the clan’s leadership. Unbeknownst to most of the hunters, Jack is also hiding a secret of his own.
Also, there is Elsa Bloodstone (Laura Donnelly), Ulysses’ estranged daughter who’s seeking to claim her birthright. She and Jack strike up a partnership, until Jack’s true nature is revealed, putting not only Elsa but everyone else in the estate in danger.
Shot in black and white, Werewolf by Night is a loving homage to classic Universal horror films like Frankenstein, Dracula, and Wolf Man. Many of the movie’s elements, such as Jack and Elsa’s dynamic, and the offscreen werewolf transformation that focuses on Elsa’s terror, are lovingly inspired by those classic films. The gore is there, but the film doesn’t revel in it, infusing the atmosphere with lots of tension.
This is a horror story, but it’s kitschy rather than scary.
The performances by both Bernal and Donnelly are restrained, although Bernal’s character is a lot more good-natured and trusting than Donnelly’s. Harriet Sansom Harris plays Verusa, Ulysses’ widow, turning in a delightfully campy performance. The monster being hunted in the story, only called Ted in the movie, will be instantly familiar to many comics fans. He is constructed completely using practical effects, which is a welcome change from the CGI-fest we get with not just MCU properties, but superhero content in general.
First-time director Michael Giacchino (who composed the soundtrack of multiple movies, including Spider-Man: No Way Home) exceeds expectations with his debut.
He also composed this film’s soundtrack, which also pays homage to classic horror tunes. Let’s hope he gets to continue his momentum and do great work with his future projects, MCU or otherwise.
Werewolf by Night does a great job of setting up Marvel’s horror characters and setting. Jack and Elsa’s Bloodstone has plenty of potential that can be explored in further properties. With characters like Blade also getting movies, the sky’s the limit when it comes to the future of this corner of the MCU.
