Posted at 9:30 a.m.
Those who feel that Marvel Studios’ movies and series all look alike might find their latest offering stands out more. The “Special Presentation” Werewolf by Night is a tasty tribute to horror films of the 1930s and 1940s.
The composer Michael Giacchino (The Batman, coconut, RogueOne) directs a feature debut here — albeit less than an hour long — and his love of genre cinema runs throughout. First, the film is in black and white and includes effects that simulate old film. The atmosphere created thanks to the music, of course, but also by the shadow play, the long shots that plunge dramatically into the terrified gaze of the characters and the blood that spurts into the lens are both frightening and pleasing. The work of director of photography Zoë White (The Handmaid’s Tale) and scenographer Maya Shimoguchi (Hawkeye) is noteworthy.
The screenplay by Heather Quinn and Peter Cameron, punctuated with dark but light humor, is very effective. Since the inspiration comes from another era, the degree of horror cannot compare to that of contemporary horror works, but the intensity of the violence is surprising for a Marvel production.
The acting is also rather theatrical. They are voluntarily involuntarily comical. Unsurprisingly, we’re dealing with some pretty eccentric monster hunters. Except maybe Elsa Bloodstone, daughter of Ulysses, who disowned her parents. Laura Donnelly excels as a disillusioned hunter who, although she practices the same profession as her father, does not adhere to his values at all.
Gael García Bernal also delivers a brilliant performance as the shy Jack Russell, who still has 100 victims to his name. Not quite comfortable among this group, he kind of presents the viewer’s point of view. Quickly, we become attached to him.
Our biggest crush, however, is reserved for Ted, aka Man-Thing. We won’t say more, but we hope to see him again soon.
super hero movie
Werewolf by Night
(VF: night werewolf)
Michael Giacchino
Starring Gael Garcia Bernal, Laura Donnelly, Harriet Sansom Harris
51 minutes
On Disney+