Werewolves Within (2021)

Werewolves Within (2021) I had no idea what I was getting into. The film announces quite quickly that it’s going in a comic direction. As a result, it’s funny… but annoying at the same time! The characters are annoying and far from endearing, and that’s what spoils the film’s potential. Basically, it’s not all subtle humour, unfortunately. It would have made a much better film, in fact. I thought this film would be inspired by the board game ‘Les Loups-garous de Thiercelieux’, but I sometimes forget that this game is French and that Americans don’t necessarily know it.

In fact, this film is based on a video game. Video game adaptations for the cinema have often been derided for the poor reviews they’ve received, but this is one of the rare adaptations to have got a good critical consensus. Well, at the same time, for a film not to attract criticism or ridicule, it has to be good! Not just a good adaptation.

Director Josh Ruben had also made another comic horror film the year before called Scare Me (2020). I didn’t know any of the actors in this huge cast or I’d forgotten about them. I enjoy seeing a lot of actors I don’t know, even if you inevitably think of the ones they look like. The film would probably have been just as enjoyable even with a cast of well-known actors, although it’s hard to remain objective. Indeed, we may find a character incredible just because he’s played by one of our favourite actors, whereas he might have gone unnoticed camped by someone else.

This film is not one of the best horror-comedy films.It’s nowhere near as good as Happy Death Day 1 & 2 (2017 & 2019), Shaun of the Dead (2004), Zombieland 1 & 2 (2009 & 2019) or the very good Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022). In fact, there’s a similarity between the latter and this film… but I can’t say too much without spoiling. There’s humour right up to the last second of the film. The closing credits song, ‘I Found Love’ by The Free Design, is a real treat!

Unlike other films in this genre, we don’t see the werewolf’s clothes being torn off. Nor do we see him naked, then suddenly wearing trousers when he becomes human again. And another detail that always makes me smile in other films like Werewolves (2024) is when I see that werewolves have yellowed teeth straight away, even if the person transforming has white teeth. Which isn’t the case here! That’s it for this film. Not much more to say. I’m glad I saw it once, but it doesn’t belong in my collection, because it’s neither mythical, incredible nor indispensable.

I found this mini review to add to mine: “Not bad! The film is relatively original and funny, but it’s no good from start to finish. The level of humour is inconsistent.”

My Rating