Werewolf by Night

Marvel Studios is really trying to make the secret part of their comics famous in the MCU. We have a glimpse of it with the Black Knight in “Eternals,” we’ve had Doctor Strange and Wong, we’ve seen “Moon Knight” already, and we know Blade is returning. Julian Lyle said in his review, “Along with the Midnight Sons game coming out later this year, the push is clearly in effect.” Now we have “Werewolf by Night,” a television special released in October about the main character.

Lyle said, “I honestly don’t know what a TV special means in a world of streaming versus the older era of linear network programming.” This almost hour-long short is a light a very focused story. This feels like watching two episodes of a show back-to-back. “Werewolf by Night” begins with monster hunters meeting at Bloodstone Manor to honor the life of Ulysses Bloodstone, their leader who recently passed. They all must compete for the leadership role and for control of a mystical item called the Bloodstone. This is how we meet Jack (Gael Garcia Bernal) and Ulysses’ estranged daughter Elsa (Laura Donnelly). Jack isn’t here for the Blood stone but to investigate a missing friend, while Elsa is here to earn her birthright.

Lyle noted, “The look of Werewolf by Night will remind you of the double feature project Grindhouse by Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino—it purposely tries to look like a worn, old film reel.” It uses the look of Universal horror films along with shots, angles, and other stylistic choices of Hammer horror films. It also captures some of the charms of 70s Marvel horror. “Werewolf by Night” is original and a little violent – the violence should be ok for families as this is in Black & White.

The story moves nice and fast and doesn’t add in a lot of jokes. The effects are very well done. There are cameos that are a nice surprise. Elsa Bloodstone is a nice addition to the MCU with a certainty and confidence to her character, she is very good in action/fighting scenes too. Lyle said, “I feel Werewolf by Night will be a nice bridge for whatever else they have planned for the future.”

“Werewolf by Night” tells a focused story that doesn’t overstay its welcome and has fun experimenting with the visual look of an MCU entry.

When I saw this, I was really surprised at how this film goes back to the Universal horror movie tropes. I think it was a nice short and it pays rightful homage to the movies from way back and I think everyone will enjoy it. If you didn’t see this when it came out, make sure to see it if you have a Disney+. I think everyone will love this.

Alright everyone, tomorrow is the finale to “Disney Month 2022,” where I will be looking at another short that I think everyone should see.