When Marvel announced that Phase Four of the MCU would be spread across feature length films and Disney+ series, there was a hope that the Disney+ content would allow Marvel to explore niche areas that the films simply couldn’t go for financial reasons. So far, the result has been a resounding ‘not really’ with the Disney+ shows often being projects that could have worked as feature films but stretched out into multiple parts. One exception was WandaVision, a unique take on a sitcom that whilst devolved into usual Marvel punch ups come its finale, was for the most part highly experimental and completely unique within the genre. Werewolf By Night then marks another such success from Marvel in allowing the MCU to expand beyond costumed vigilante’s punching each other in the name of patriotism. An hour-long Disney+ special that’s neither TV nor feature film, Werewolf By Night exemplifies what good can come of allowing MCU to fully explore its expansive catalogue of genre fare.
Following the death of esteemed monster hunter Ulysses Bloodstone (Richard Dixon), a gathering of his fellow hunters takes place at his funeral wherein he sets them the task of hunting a fearsome monster within the grounds of his manor; the hunter who slays the monster will claim the powerful mystical artefact, the Bloodstone, and become the new leader of the hunter’s clan. Enticed by the power of the Bloodstone, the hunters quickly turn on each other whilst also being hunted down by the monster in the maze-like grounds.
Following the death of esteemed monster hunter Ulysses Bloodstone (Richard Dixon), a gathering of his fellow hunters takes place at his funeral wherein he sets them the task of hunting a fearsome monster within the grounds of his manor; the hunter who slays the monster will claim the powerful mystical artefact, the Bloodstone, and become the new leader of the hunter’s clan. Enticed by the power of the Bloodstone, the hunters quickly turn on each other whilst also being hunted down by the monster in the maze-like grounds.
Werewolf By Night is a whole lot of fun. Evocative of classic horror movies like Frankenstein and Dracula, the whole experience is not only new to the MCU but revives the classic monster movie for a new generation. Campy and extremely bloody, Werewolf By Night leans into its more mature themes by being the first MCU project aimed squarely at adults, and it’s really awesome to see people having their limbs cut off, burned to a charred crisp, and have blood splatter all over the camera lens as someone gets their throat slashed. Crucially the violence never feels out of place within the context of the MCU because of the campy tone. You can’t take this thing seriously for even a minute with its wise cracking dialogue and amazing commitment to the old timey moving picture style.
Predominantly shown in black and white with a hefty amount of film grain, Werewolf By Night uses colour sparingly to highlight object of interest. Complete with old film stylings such as cigarette burns in the top right corner to signify reel changes, Werewolf By Night goes all out in recreating the classic movie feel. The score is also next level, I suppose that helps when the film was directed and composed by the same man, Michael Giacchino, but the way in which sound and picture are so intertwined is amazing, I don’t think I’ve seen a film in years that’s so informed by how it sounds.
Werewolf By Night is one of the best things to come out of Phase Four of the MCU by a considerable margin. Whilst it definitely suits being a Disney+ release as opposed to a theatrical feature film, this is exactly the kind of content Marvel fans wanted to see on Disney+ and wanted Phase Four to provide to stop the franchise from feeling stale.
A must watch this Halloween season, Werewolf By Night is scarily good.
Predominantly shown in black and white with a hefty amount of film grain, Werewolf By Night uses colour sparingly to highlight object of interest. Complete with old film stylings such as cigarette burns in the top right corner to signify reel changes, Werewolf By Night goes all out in recreating the classic movie feel. The score is also next level, I suppose that helps when the film was directed and composed by the same man, Michael Giacchino, but the way in which sound and picture are so intertwined is amazing, I don’t think I’ve seen a film in years that’s so informed by how it sounds.
Werewolf By Night is one of the best things to come out of Phase Four of the MCU by a considerable margin. Whilst it definitely suits being a Disney+ release as opposed to a theatrical feature film, this is exactly the kind of content Marvel fans wanted to see on Disney+ and wanted Phase Four to provide to stop the franchise from feeling stale.
A must watch this Halloween season, Werewolf By Night is scarily good.