What a quick easy watch this was. Marvel’s attempt at horror is an interesting choice as they pay tribute to the old Universal Monster movies. We get Gael García Bernal in some cool practical werewolf makeup. We get a level of gore like we’ve never seen before in a Marvel movie. And we get a nice simple story that has no effect on the greater Marvel Universe. In fact, the plot might be too simple.
This special starts out in a creepy castle belonging to the Bloodstones family. We see several “monster hunters” gather in the great hall. They are informed that they are all part of a contest to become the next keeper of the Bloodstone diamond. All they have to do is find a monster in a labyrinth and slay it. The one catch is that Bernal has no intention to kill the monster, but to save it instead. This creates tension with all the hunters, except for the estranged daughter played by Laura Donnelly, who joins Bernal in his efforts.
The structure of the movie is very odd. It’s build as a special presentation from Marvel Studios. And it clocks in at like 55 minutes, which almost hurts the movies, as it doesn’t feel like a full movie. In fact it feels more like two 30 minute episodes stitched together. There’s a clear midpoint where you could easily add in credits. You have the labyrinth section, and then you have the werewolf section. And we’re just kinda left wanting more of both as plot points feel a bit rushed.
But for what it is, Werewolf by Night is a slightly refreshing comic book movie, especially in an age where Marvel isn’t putting out its best work.
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