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Sarah here, teaching English around the world. Living life and seeing things.
Creature features are a staple of any Halloween movie night. From the old Universal classics to the more raunchy Hammer Horror films, they’re always guaranteed to thrill and frighten. Now, we have a new monstrous delight to add to our spooky season watch list, and it’s one that is guaranteed to be a favourite for everyone. Werewolf by Night is the latest release from Marvel and will arrive on Disney+ on 7th October. Werewolf by Night is directed by Michael Giacchino and written by Heather Quinn and Peter Cameron. It stars Gael García Bernal, Laura Donnelly and Harriet Sansom Harris.
It Was a Dark Dark Night…
Werewolf by Night is a very welcome change from the usual Marvel style. From the very beginning, it feels and looks different. Akin to the classic monster flicks of yesteryear (even with cue marks!) This feels like a love letter to the classics, but it doesn’t distract from how unique and fun the story is.
The pacing of the special is perfect. With a runtime of 53 minutes, it doesn’t rush or brush over any important aspects. There’s a good balance between tension, action, gore, and giving us an insight into the characters. While there’s still more to learn about them in the future, what we do know so far makes them loveable and endears us to them.
It’s a visually stunning work that could be classed more as a piece of art. The black and white with flashes of red are in keeping with the style of the piece, and it’s utilised perfectly. The use of shadows is brilliant, and it blends perfectly with the look of the film. There’s one particular scene where the use of shadows and light steals the show, and adds to the eeriness of the film.
A Wolf Among Us
Gael García Bernal is fantastic as Jack Russell. Unassuming and gentle with moments of humour, he really captures the character and his feelings towards what he is. His transformation and the aftermath show a different side to Jack Russell and lets García Bernal explore the character fully. He leans into the more monstrous side, as well as the gentle Jack Russell, and it gives us a brilliant first look into the dichotomy of the character.
Alongside Jack Russell, we have the formidable Elsa Bloodstone, played by Laura Donnelly. Donnelly’s fearsome and outspoken portrayal is a perfect contrast to García Bernal’s gentle and softly-spoken Jack Russell. From the first few moments they share on screen together, the chemistry is there and they gel instantly. Even though the runtime is relatively short, they’re able to build these characters and their relationship honestly and believably. Nothing is rushed, and each aspect is given the exact amount of time needed.
Another fantastic character is the eccentric Verussa played by Harriet Sansom Harris. She’s strange and outlandish but is quite the scene-stealer throughout. We should also give a special mention to Man-Thing, who is everything I wanted and I can’t wait to see him more in the future. This gentle giant will definitely steal your heart.
Music of the Night
The music in this special is also amazing. The score is brilliant and mimics the visuals of the film perfectly. It’s also a homage to the classic creature features, but with a more modern twist that brings the whole film together. Michael Giacchino as both director and composer lends a deeper understanding of the use of music, and it feels right.
The use of practical effects throughout most of the film is a welcome change. It’s more immersive and fits the feeling brilliantly. Particularly when it comes to the werewolf. The character design and how he was created feel so natural and completely in keeping with the style. It’s a familiar look but still different enough to be his own character.
Monstrous Beginnings
Werewolf by Night is a fantastic addition to the MCU, and it’s personally my favourite Marvel piece in a long time. The cast is brilliant, it’s visually stunning, and feels different to what we’ve seen before. It’s the perfect way to introduce the more supernatural aspect of the Marvel Universe. It gives you just enough to draw you in but leaves you wanting more.
While Jack Russell may not have been the most well-known character from the Marvel Universe, I feel like this is all about to change. Giacchino’s vision and García Bernal’s performance will surely cement this character as everyone’s new favourite. My only issue now is that we don’t know when we’ll next see him, and I really want more Jack Russell and Elsa Bloodstone. This is a brilliant addition to your Halloween watch list, and a great film to get cosy with on a dark and spooky night.
Werewolf by Night will be available to stream on Disney+ from Friday, 7th October.
Sarah here, teaching English around the world. Living life and seeing things.
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