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Werewolf by Night follows Jack Russell (Gael García Bernal), part of a secret group of monster hunters gathering to win a mysterious gem by defeating a powerful monster. The twist? Russell is a werewolf himself, but will he be able to control that part of him if it comes to that?
If you're like me, chances are you didn't even know this show or IP even existed. But it does, and it's actually part of the MCU. Werewolf by Night aired as a "TV special" through Disney+ as part of their Phase IV. Whether there are plans to bring the characters back again? That remains to be seen.
But aside from its ties to any bigger universe, this was a pretty interesting experiment. Director Michael Giacchino and cinematographer Zoë White wisely use black and white cinematography and a unique directing style, which gives the film a look reminiscent to the Universal Monster films.
That classic look extends to García Bernal's performance and look which borrows a lot from Lon Chaney and Bela Lugosi. Despite all those positive points, the story is still a bit lacking and stale. But as far as look, style, and vibe goes, Werewolf by Night has a lot of it.
Grade:
WEREWOLF BY NIGHT
(2022, Giacchino)
(2022, Giacchino)
"Any hunting that I do is done by a part of me that is not me... and that's not the part you're with right now."
Werewolf by Night follows Jack Russell (Gael García Bernal), part of a secret group of monster hunters gathering to win a mysterious gem by defeating a powerful monster. The twist? Russell is a werewolf himself, but will he be able to control that part of him if it comes to that?
If you're like me, chances are you didn't even know this show or IP even existed. But it does, and it's actually part of the MCU. Werewolf by Night aired as a "TV special" through Disney+ as part of their Phase IV. Whether there are plans to bring the characters back again? That remains to be seen.
But aside from its ties to any bigger universe, this was a pretty interesting experiment. Director Michael Giacchino and cinematographer Zoë White wisely use black and white cinematography and a unique directing style, which gives the film a look reminiscent to the Universal Monster films.
That classic look extends to García Bernal's performance and look which borrows a lot from Lon Chaney and Bela Lugosi. Despite all those positive points, the story is still a bit lacking and stale. But as far as look, style, and vibe goes, Werewolf by Night has a lot of it.
Grade: