Spoiler Free Review: Werewolf by Night

Marvel Studios' first "Special Presentation" is a triumph that should be celebrated by MCU fans and movie lovers alike. While it's not normal for Marvel to forgo a cinematic release or a limited series, this format was fun, fresh, and worked extremely well. While it's easy to say that this is a Halloween special and should be left as such, It most certainly could be a year-round watch. 

    Werewolf by Night (the titular character) has had multiple attempts to be brought to the big screen dating all the way back to 2001. Up until that point Marvel had only released three feature films; Howard the Duck (1986), Blade (1998), and X-Men (2000). At this point in Marvel's history they were near bankrupt and putting money into a relatively unknown hero was too big a risk for the company to take. Instead they'd invest in the likes of Spider-Man, Hulk, and Iron Man. And now the rest is history. Then twenty years later Marvel Studios would begin developing a Halloween special that would eventually feature Werewolf by Night. 

    Debuting on October 7, 2022 the special presentation features Jack Russell (Gael García Bernal) competing in a monster hunting competition for the powerful Bloodstone. The party/hunt is being hosted by the widow of Ulysses Bloodstone as a celebration of his life and a way to pass on his legacy. Just before the hunt Ulysses' estranged daughter Elsa joins the fray. As the competition begins all the monster hunters must find the monster, fight it, kill it, and secure the Bloodstone. 

   

  Directed by composer/director Michael Giacchino his true passion for the origins of the monster sub-genre are palpable in this work and it is beautiful. I am a sucker for movies where the director, writer, actor's love for cinema shows like Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood for example. Werewolf by Night certainly falls into that sub-genre/category. Just the fact that the creatures are all real effects (costumes and puppets) instead of the usual CGI proves this project is an homage to the early monster movies. Besides the use of practical effects, it is presented in black and white and features music all originally from 1930s, you have the recipe for a classic monster movie (or at least a very good homage to one).

    Marvel's Phase Four has put a lot of faith into its directors and this is a case where that pays off. As the MCU delves deeper into the supernatural side of the Marvel Universe, Werewolf by Night is a fantastic way for fans to get their feet wet for what's to come with the likes of Moon Knight and soon Blade coming to the MCU in the near future. This is a side of the MCU that will more than likely stand the test of time and hopefully be a darker, grittier side to the beloved franchise. It's safe to say this Special Presentation would have recieved a TV-MA rating if it wasn't for it's black and white look. The gore would have set the bar for what the MCU can do going forward and it is my personal belief that Werewolf by Night is a soft launch to gauge how well mature themes and projects will do for the MCU.

    Werewolf by Night is a revelation for the MCU, the previously untapped directorial mind of Giacchino does wonders for the MCU's first ever Special Presentation. While the only thing I would change is the run-time, as I wanted more, I feel adding some more screen-time for anything would have taken away from this feature. The relationships were wholesome and real in a wholly foreign situation. Fans of the MCU should rejoice that such an under-appreciated, unknown character got this treatment. Monsters have officially made their mark on the MCU and I for one am very excited to see what's to come.