Werewolves // By Steven C. Miller. With Frank Grillo, Katrina Law and Ilfenesh Hadera.
Cinema is full of attempts to revisit classic myths like that of werewolves. However, some works struggle to find a balance between homage to the genre and innovation. Werewolves is a prime example of a film that fails on almost every level, despite a promising core concept. The idea behind Werewolves had something to seduce: a world where an astronomical phenomenon transforms a large part of the world’s population into werewolves, and where a team of scientists tries to save what’s left of humanity. However, instead of developing a gripping storyline, the film becomes engulfed in an incoherent and poorly structured narrative. The rules established by the story are quickly contradicted, creating constant frustration for the viewer.
A year ago, a supermoon caused a gene that transformed anyone exposed to moonlight into a werewolf for one night. Millions of people died – and now the supermoon is back…
This lack of coherence makes the experience difficult to follow and reduces the emotional impact of the issues. The scenario of Werewolves suffers from a major problem: it lacks depth and subtlety. The dialogues are often ridiculous, even pointless. Certain moments would almost have benefited from completely doing without words, as they seem superfluous. By trying to take itself seriously, the film misses an opportunity to play on self-deprecation, a choice which could have mitigated the weaknesses of the writing. The film attempts to combine action elements with horror atmosphere, but fails to excel in either area. Rather than building tension or playing on the codes of suspense, Werewolves is scattered in action scenes that are poorly paced and devoid of dramatic sense.
The special effects of Werewolves are a mix of traditional practices and CGI. While some scenes show a notable effort with practical effects, others descend into ridiculousness. The werewolf transformations, for example, oscillate between the credible and the laughable, which harms immersion. The production seems to hesitate between seriousness and kitsch, but this lack of coherence leaves the viewer with an impression of amateurism. The problem doesn’t end there. The film’s cinematography and lighting add to the confusion. Scenes are often darkened by excessive strobe-like lighting, making some sequences literally difficult to watch. This artistic choice, probably designed to amplify the dramatic intensity, ends up weighing down the visual experience.
The number of spectators leaving the room or turning their eyes away in the face of these aggressive lights testifies to this failure. A good film relies on engaging characters. Unfortunately, Werewolves fails to offer captivating protagonists. The characters seem devoid of personality or meaningful story arcs. Their role is often limited to fulfilling the immediate needs of the scenario, without any real writing work enriching them. This lack of connection makes it difficult, if not impossible, to feel invested in their plight. Even the performances of experienced actors like Lou Diamond Phillips failed to save the film. His screen presence, although brief, is overshadowed by weak writing and clumsy direction.
Werewolves feels like it was intended as an introduction to a larger universe, perhaps even a video game or spinoff series. However, instead of laying a solid foundation for a sequel or expansion, the film gets lost in poorly exploited plotlines and unexplained elements. The viewer is left with more questions than answers, not by narrative choice, but by negligence. One of the most irritating aspects of Werewolves is its soundtrack. The film relies on an excessive, almost deafening musical score, which seems to want to compensate for the lack of visual and narrative substance. These choices make the whole thing even more difficult to appreciate, transforming what could have been an oppressive atmosphere into a heavy cacophony.
Despite its many flaws, Werewolves could find a certain audience among fans of uninhibited action films. The shootout scenes, although repetitive and not very innovative, offer a dose of adrenaline that could appeal to a specific audience. However, for anyone looking for a gripping werewolf film or an original exploration of the genre, this film is likely to be a big disappointment. Werewolves had the potential to be a memorable work in the werewolf film genre. Unfortunately, this is a glaring example of what happens when ambition is not matched by careful execution.
Between its sloppy script, its clumsy dialogues, its uneven special effects and its confusing artistic direction, the film fails to captivate. As I finished this film, I couldn’t help but think that the werewolf mythos deserved better. In an age where horror and action films are constantly redefining their boundaries, Werewolves seems stuck in a past where standards were much less demanding. It is not a tribute, nor a reinvention, but an aborted effort that leaves a bitter taste.
Note : 3/10. In short, a failed attempt at a werewolf film.
Coming soon in France
