'Werewolf by Night' Review: MCU brings a Halloween treat with a dash of retro-horror on Disney+

Almost a 53-minute-long movie, 'Werewolf by Night' is enthralling and lets you stick to the screen without any blinking
UPDATED OCT 7, 2022
Gael García Bernal as Jack Russell in 'Werewolf by Night' (Disney+)
Gael García Bernal as Jack Russell in 'Werewolf by Night' (Disney+)

Contains Spoilers for 'Werewolf by Night'

There is no peace without blood, and so it shall be! Following the same line, Disney+'s TV Special flick 'Werewolf by Night' makes us walk in the classical lane of the black-and-white era. The 53-minute-long Marvel-based movie is nothing but a Halloween treat to the viewers, with a hint of horror in it. The official synopsis of the special reads, "a secret group of monster hunters gather at Bloodstone Castle following the death of their leader and engage in a mysterious and deadly competition for a powerful relic, which will bring them face to face with a dangerous monster."

Marking an exciting turn for MCU, 'Werewolf by Night' shares the continuity of the Marvel franchise. The action-adventure and superhero-studded horror drama is helmed by an Oscar-winner director Michael Giacchino. And, it was his idea to release the film in black-and-white, noting it to be the "right thing to do for the spirit of the story". Furthermore, the movie is penned by Heather Quinn and Peter Cameron. The critically acclaimed movie is a part of Phase Four of the MCU. The movie opens with a group of monster hunters gathered at the funeral of their famed leader, Ulysses Bloodstone. 

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'Werewolf by Night' Laura Donnelly as Elsa Bloodstone (Disney+)
'Werewolf by Night' Laura Donnelly as Elsa Bloodstone (Disney+)

The MCU has introduced some arcane characters in this movie. Gael Garcia Bernal is featured as Jack Russell, 'Wolf-Man' who is normal by day but turns into a wolf on a full moon night. And, his transformation unleashes the cruel butchery. The movie spins around the storyline of monster hunters competing to take hold of Bloodstone which brings with itself the power to reign. The leadership was destined to pass down to Elsa (Laura Donnelly), Ulysses's daughter. But, the same didn't happen as she distanced herself from the family. Indeed, she is described as an utter disappointment to her dead father. However, Elsa is not participating in the competition in order to succeed on the throne but to destroy her family line by demolishing the Bloodstone. 

'Werewolf by Night' (Disney+)
'Werewolf by Night' (Disney+)

The retro-horror movie features the chase of the monsters and their fights, and also shows a hint of an allegedly sparkling love angle between Elsa and Jack. Together they managed to defeat other monster hunters and capture Bloodstone. Well, this simple hint spiced up dramatic action scenes, monster fights, and superpower lightning sequences. 

Almost a 53-minute-long movie is enthralling and lets you stick to the screen without any blinking. The special presentation of the Marvel Universe has cast its unique style that barely feels like an MCU action story but brings equal excitement with its advanced yet simplistic cinematic effects. 

'Werewolf by Night' is available to stream on Disney+.

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