Indie action-horror movie Werewolves delivers on its promise as a howling-good creature feature driven by impressive practical effects and a throwback action-hero in Frank Grillo.
There is a scene in Werewolves where lead protagonist Frank Grillo stares down a pack of vicious werewolves while standing on the back of a flat-bed truck. With fortified gatling gun loaded and ready, Grillo calls out: “Hey werewolves…bite me!” before unleashing lead-fuelled hell upon the howling horde before him.
It is a moment of corny yet bad-ass cool that will make any old-school genre fans giddy with glee. Directed by Steven C. Miller (Line of Duty), Werewolves meets its objective as a straight-shooting horror action movie that would have fit perfectly in the horror section of a late ‘80s Blockbuster store. Self-confessed “80s kid” Miller succeeds in not only tapping into that nostalgic factor but also reminds just how fun it is to watch practically-made monsters bark at the moon.
Werewolves is set during an annual event where a supermoon turns the Earth’s human inhabitants into savage werewolves. With the previous (and first) supermoon event claiming a billion lives, a group of scientists for the CDC work on a cure. When their efforts go to the dogs, molecular biologist and military veteran Dr. Wesley Marshall (Frank Grillo) tries to survive the night as he makes his way to the suburban home of his sister-in-law Lucy (Ilfenesh Hadera.)
Werewolves should be seen for the excellent practical creature effects alone, with numerous large, savage, man-eating werewolves brought to life by FX masters Alec Gillis (Alien: Romulus) and Tom Woodruff Jr. (It). Miller does not skimp on the werewolf action, delivering some thrilling set pieces of werewolf vs man. Various POV shots are used to good effect, yet too much reliance on shaky cam takes some of the joy away from watching old-school monster moviemaking in all its glory.
As the lead protagonist, Frank Grillo delivers the right amount of muscle-rippling macho intensity to make his portrayal of scientist/ex-marine/werewolf killer work. Afterall, an old-school horror movie needs an old-school action hero, and Grillo is just the man for the job with his style of charisma and brawn.
With Werewolves, Miller has delivered upon his brief of an ‘80s-inspired action-horror movie that embraces its B-grade spirit with A-grace effort. Hopefully, Miller will deliver more grizzly tales when the next supermoon rises.
