Werewolves Within (2021) - Movie Review
What do you get when a brilliant writer builds a story around a video game based on one of the best party games every invented? '
One of my favorite movies of the decade, that’s what.
Let’s discuss.
Werewolves Within is a 2021 Comedy / Horror / Mystery film brought to us by director Josh Ruben and writer Mishna Wolff. These names may not super familiar to most, but both are multi-award winning writers and directors. Ruben is the more familiar of the two with his recent film Scare Me being one of Shudder’s recent exclusive. While the film was divisive, we loved it here at the Filthy Horrors house. Wolff on the other hand is the more enigmatic of the two. Her smash hit memoir I’m Down is a fixture on both high school and college reading lists and the film adaptation has won multiple high level awards including a Sundance Fellowship. If you’re a fan of Marc Mason (which I’m not, just not my humor), you’ll know her from his bits about their short-term marriage, as it was a huge part of his stand-up.
This is a huge amount of backstory, but really the only thing you need to know is that these two are stone cold killers. Brilliant writing that lacks all the tropes and politics of current Hollywood. An ensemble of colorful, diverse characters lacking any sort of Mary Sue. Every character is fleshed out and three-dimensional and you kinda love all of them, even the shitty human beings.
The film focuses on park ranger Finn Wheeler as he acquaints himself with the small-town he’s been assigned to, Beaverfield. He’s a constant optimist who always looks for the good in everyone, but the residents of Beaverfield (pop. 10) definitely try his patience. A conflict is ongoing between the gas company represented by the sleazy Sam Parker and various members of the town, which only deepens when something attacks the town’s power supply during a brutal snowstorm. Oh, and when Finn discovers a murdered and half eaten body nearby the town’s inn. Paranoia, resentment, and overall craziness ensure as the townspeople find themselves wondering if there really is a werewolf, or if one of them as finally lost their marbles entirely. Will Finn solve the mystery before the town is slaughtered, or will he fall victim to the Werewolves Within?
I know, I know…. I’m prone to hyperbole, but seriously this movie was an absolute blast. This movie is non-stop fun.
This film is a mix of two of my favorite films, Serial Mom (1994) and The Howling (1981) aka the best werewolf movie of all time.
The biggest asset to this film is the cast, all of who knock it out of the park. Especially our leads, the brilliant Sam Richardson and one of the loves of my life Milana Vayntrub. Their chemistry is palpable and they two of the most likable characters I’ve seen in a movie in a long time. It seems to be a big trend to make lead characters unlikable in recent films, or maybe it’s just shitty writing. These two are so lovable and really anchor the film as a duo of personality.
It helps that both are brilliant actors and are working off an incredibly funny script.
Sam Richardson is a flat out boss. I’ve loved him in everything I’ve seen him in, especially Amazon’s The Tomorrow War. I hope to see him being the lead in more films. His comedic timing is something that can’t be learned, it’s just pure instinct and he just does comedy so well.
And yes Milana Vayntrub is gorgeous, but she’s also insanely charismatic. I wish she would get cast as a lead more often.
The rest of the cast is stellar as well including genre stalwarts Harvey Guillen, George Basil, Catherine Curtain, and Michael Churnus. All of which get their moment to steal the show. Every character gets more than a couple spotlight moments.
George Basil definitely makes the most of his time. I watched this movie with a group and his line delivery and physical performance had us all belly-laughing.
The gore and special effects were 100% practical except for some slight cgi enhancements, but it all looks really good. In true indie-film fashion, they keep everything low-key with an incredible climax reveal. It’s all handled so well and I’m glad they went with practical, as it’s the true art.
#deathtocgi
Please Please Please go watch this movie.
It’s free to watch on HULU, it’s worth the time. It’s the perfect cure for the overly long, overly preachy modern films that are more concerned with bashing you over the head with personal politics than entertaining you.
This is a short, wild ride filled with hilarity and splatter horror. It’s not a gore-fest, but it has enough for the hounds out there. It’s just a fun mystery movie with a lot of heart.
It’s so good, I immediately ordered a new copy on blu-ray to support the filmmakers.
Go check it out, and don’t you dare read below until you’ve seen it.
Now then….
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OMG… so I knew who the killer was about 30 minutes into the film, but I didn’t want to—couldn’t accept it. My love for Cecily was so strong. I would have been okay if Finn had just accepted that she was a murderous monster and accepted her… even though she was a bitchy, ultra feminist serial killer / cannibal werewolf.
Even though I knew it was her, Finn’s reaction to the reveal was so heartbreaking. Richardson’s performance was incredible in showing the vulnerability and rage at the loss of innocence that Cecily tries to force onto him with her condemnation of his belief in the human spirit. It’s especially poignant when Finn’s kindness to Emerson results in the crazy hermit showing up to save his life purely because he wanted to thank the ranger for being nice to him.
And the film wrapping up with the innocent Jeanine getting her revenge on her husband’s murderer and shedding the long-suffering, pushover persona she burdened herself with after her husband’s death was fantastic.
It just good writing. We get to see who all these characters really are. The nice, pretty girl next door is a monster, the gay couple are truly petty, the creepy couple are so much worse than you think, and the crazy hermit is actually just a normal guy who’s been beaten down by the world. This is actual storytelling. It’s so refreshing to see.
