During the intensive award-season months, what could be more comforting than a cheesy, outrageously entertaining horror flick that delivers exactly what its title promises? Werewolves, from director Steven C. Miller (Silent Night, Margaux), does precisely what is described on the tin. Frenetic werewolf action, impressive practical effects, mesmerizing transformations, cheesy one-liners, and Frank Grillo—one simply cannot leave unsatisfied. If any of these elements do not sound appealing, it would probably be the best practice to simply skip Werewolves altogether. Tons of fun and silly beyond belief, The Purge with Werewolves simply must be seen to be believed.
One year ago, a supermoon triggered a global event. Over a billion people violently transformed into werewolves for an entire night, leading to thousands of casualties. Tonight, the supermoon returns, but the CDC has a plan. With these strange transformations triggered by the light of the moon, they have developed an experimental formula to help stifle the changes. Scientist Wes (Frank Grillo, Kingdom, The Purge: Anarchy) personally helps to oversee the use of this experiment on the very night of the supermoon. A hardened survivalist, Wes is determined to protect his deceased colleague’s family, and ensure their safety. He reviews strict survival rules, emphasizing the need to avoid moonlight at all costs. To no one’s surprise, the serum does not work, and of course, some of the baddies target the substantially reinforced grounds of a distressed mother (Ilfenesh Hadera) and her daughter (Kamdynn Gary).
Miller directs a script from Matthew Kennedy with verve and energy, leaning into the more outrageous, crowd-pleasing moments around every bend. The characters are paper-thin, but was anyone expecting depth from Werewolves? As Grillo’s Wes battles his way back to his former colleague’s property, bodies pile up, as does the ridiculous werewolf action. Miller finds the balance between intense horror and over-the-top action, leaning into humorous camp. Satisfying creature-feature moments deliver gory spectacle as the film barrels towards a fitting climax. Only a lack of nudity disappoints when transformations revert back to human form, leaving me wondering where the phantom pants came from. Still, for the right mindset, Werewolves will be a howl-worthy good time.
If in a nitpicky mood, there are plenty of issues even from a script level. Yet, embracing traditional werewolf tropes ends up working in its favor. That means the whole affair allows viewers to flip off their thinking caps, and just enjoy the carnage. Genre pieces that accentuate their best attributes by embracing exactly what audiences expect have a special, comfort-watch place in cinema history. With Frank Grillo leading the charge, gnarly transformations and relentless violence make Werewolves a full moon delight.
Howl at the supermoon for Werewolves, biting off its place in theaters everywhere on Friday, December 6th.
