Director – Josh Ruben (Scare Me, Death to 2021)
Starring – Sam Richardson (Star Trek: Lower Decks, Ghostbusters), Milana Vayntrub (New Warriors, Robot Chicken), and George Basil (Silicone Valley, Ghost Story Club)
Release Date – 2021
Rating – 3/5
Several weeks ago I was bitching about the lack of newer films being released due to the pandemic. I’m not naïve and know that the pandemic put everything on hold but as a movie collector I often find myself disappointed now when I visit big box stores and can’t find anything to pick up. I guess with the holidays approaching I’ve found myself with several new films to check out when I would have rather had them during the month of October for my month long horror binge. Regardless, I’m happy for the chance to review some new movies instead of the re-release of older films on blu.
A few days ago I received the horror comedy Werewolves Within from IFC Films. This was one on my radar after I heard that Milana Vayntrub was cast in it. Not to be that guy but she is one of my celebrity crushes. Anyway, when I received the press release for the physical release of this one I was quick to jump on a review copy. I want to thank IFC for sending this one over.
**Spoiler Alert** The film follows the new forest ranger Finn Wheeler (Richardson) as he arrives in the small mountain town for the first time. While meeting everyone he discovers that a business tycoon is putting in a pipeline which has split the residents on which side they stand on. Some are for it while others are strictly against it. However, his first night in the small town turns deadly when something rips apart their generators. As the following night falls they suspect that one of them is a werewolf and is eating the residents one by one. **Spoiler Alert**
I had seen the trailers and artwork that was released several months back and thought that this one looked fun. I’m a sucker for a good horror comedy and Werewolves Within scratched the itch that I didn’t know I had. There was some things that I didn’t care for but the overall film was very entertaining.
The acting in this one is great. Richardson and Vayntrub was fantastic together. Their chemistry on screen was great and the characters they brought to life did a fantastic job complimenting one another. It was almost as if their roles were written for them. The supporting cast is a lot of fun as well but most of them are not as well written as the two leads but the cast does the best with what they were given.
The story for this one is based on a video game that I am not familiar with but it does work as a whodunnit with a werewolf and quirky characters. I liked the set up, how the story progressed, and the mystery theater style plot. The humor didn’t really find it’s mark like I was hoping and I can’t vouch for how close it follows the game but these are the only real complaints I have about the story.
Finally, the film has some fun gags with prosthetics and practical effects with some bloody kills that fit the film’s plot very well. Plenty of blood but not as gory as I was expecting. Also, I really enjoyed the make-up effects for the werewolf. It’s not the most amazing looking werewolf but it did look great. Overall, Werewolves Within was a fun watch but could have been better. I would have loved a little bit more humor and gore but it’s still entertaining as it is. Check it out.
