WOLF MOTHER is a low rent indie crime thriller featuring a femme fatale as the protagonist. The story sees her trying to solve a kidnapping case by teaming up with a two-bit thief along the way. This one's fairly well shot and has a small role for Hollywood star Tom Sizemore, but it lacks in memorable action and incident and it feels laughable at the times it tries to be serious.
21 Reviews
Not Worth Watching!
HLX19929 August 2019
Through much efforts, I still did not manage to understand the film at all. It seems like a pageant of a large variety of social dregs, whose conversations and behaviors do not make any sense to me. In all, watching it will be a waste of time, at least for most people with their complete sanity.
This is a mess.
I_Ailurophile15 August 2021
I immediately appreciate the noir-esque tone the film tries to strike, yet it absolutely tries too hard. The characters are dubious; we don't need over the top modern dialogue and exaggerated social behavior to emphasize how very ridiculously sleazy they are. Stylized flashbacks to illustrate characters' planning pointedly recall Guy Ritchie's crime thriller comedies, or action romp barn-burners like Robert Downey Jr.'s 'Sherlock Holmes' or the 2011 version of 'The three musketeers.' Meanwhile the sheer coarseness, crudity, and attempted wit of the script - along with snappy editing and overlaid text indicating the place or sequential timing of scenes - recall Quentin Tarantino, and the forcefulness of the unquestionably blunt writing suggests deliberate B-movie ambitions.
These are a lot of features, film-makers, and fashions that 'Wolf mother' works diligently to imp. Even the assembled soundtrack feels like an effort to mimic Tarantino's knack for unforgettable paired music by collecting songs that sound like approximations of more well-known tunes. Imagine how much better this could have been if writer-director Erik Peter Carlson tried to make a picture that spoke for itself.
There is genuine story here. There are real characters, with depth and complexities - and arcs, of a sort. There are actual emotional inroads. But these are all downplayed heavily and in a runtime of two hours, we're 45 minutes in before especially unlikable Ben Harper (Kevin Pinassi) meaningfully shares the screen with down on her luck Zelda Nigel (Najarra Townsend). The film treats its plot with astounding lackadaisical indifference, mostly caring little for an examination of the protagonists it could be, or the amateur sleuthing narrative it pretends to be. Instead 'Wolf mother' broadly focuses on the abject raunch of the scenario, characters, and dialogue with apparent intent of being funny. But it's emphatically not.
Then come the last 45 minutes, and everything Carlson has haphazardly built is largely upended with a jarring, abrupt shift in tone and narrative slant. If all the preceding material were engineered more carefully with the final act in mind, then 'Wolf mother' would have been a very different and much better film. While specific technical considerations of the feature are just fine overall, in the last third or so it's like every last bit of film-maker prowess Carlson possesses was poured into the finale as the real weight of the story manifests. Yet even this is marred by a tactless, needless, expressly anti-choice sentiment at the core of one of the lead characters, and an ending so awkwardly unrefined that it feels like Carlson didn't know how to actually finish his screenplay, so he slapped on the most clumsy, ill-considered conclusion that he could.
Maybe the mere fact of their suffering through the dazzlingly inelegant construction of the movie ingratiates the stars to me more than they deserve, yet I do I think Townsend and Pinassi demonstrate fine acting skill far exceeding the value we get here otherwise. They inhabit their roles very well, injecting Zelda and Ben with great personality and more purpose than the screenplay would suggest the parts actually have. Other characters are provided substantially less screen time, and equivalent consideration in how they're written, so the remainder of the cast is rather stuck with what they're given. Still, I like the stars well enough that I think I'd like to see them in more features.
'Wolf mother' is a mess. There are quite a few very good ideas here, and there was great potential in the screenplay. This is all wasted with a rough, indelicate execution that's simply all over the place: attempts at humor that do not land, unrepentant parroting of anything else the film-maker has ever seen, dramatic and emotional beats scarcely imparted with the gravity they deserve, frenetic bursts of action that actively disengage the viewer's attachment, story beats that are sometimes very loosely connected. I genuinely like the performances given by Townsend and Pinassi, however unevenly their parts were written, yet they alone cannot save the production.
'Wolf mother' could have been a good movie. I find myself very disappointed in how decisively it is not.
Not recommended except perhaps for the most open-minded and persevering of audiences.
These are a lot of features, film-makers, and fashions that 'Wolf mother' works diligently to imp. Even the assembled soundtrack feels like an effort to mimic Tarantino's knack for unforgettable paired music by collecting songs that sound like approximations of more well-known tunes. Imagine how much better this could have been if writer-director Erik Peter Carlson tried to make a picture that spoke for itself.
There is genuine story here. There are real characters, with depth and complexities - and arcs, of a sort. There are actual emotional inroads. But these are all downplayed heavily and in a runtime of two hours, we're 45 minutes in before especially unlikable Ben Harper (Kevin Pinassi) meaningfully shares the screen with down on her luck Zelda Nigel (Najarra Townsend). The film treats its plot with astounding lackadaisical indifference, mostly caring little for an examination of the protagonists it could be, or the amateur sleuthing narrative it pretends to be. Instead 'Wolf mother' broadly focuses on the abject raunch of the scenario, characters, and dialogue with apparent intent of being funny. But it's emphatically not.
Then come the last 45 minutes, and everything Carlson has haphazardly built is largely upended with a jarring, abrupt shift in tone and narrative slant. If all the preceding material were engineered more carefully with the final act in mind, then 'Wolf mother' would have been a very different and much better film. While specific technical considerations of the feature are just fine overall, in the last third or so it's like every last bit of film-maker prowess Carlson possesses was poured into the finale as the real weight of the story manifests. Yet even this is marred by a tactless, needless, expressly anti-choice sentiment at the core of one of the lead characters, and an ending so awkwardly unrefined that it feels like Carlson didn't know how to actually finish his screenplay, so he slapped on the most clumsy, ill-considered conclusion that he could.
Maybe the mere fact of their suffering through the dazzlingly inelegant construction of the movie ingratiates the stars to me more than they deserve, yet I do I think Townsend and Pinassi demonstrate fine acting skill far exceeding the value we get here otherwise. They inhabit their roles very well, injecting Zelda and Ben with great personality and more purpose than the screenplay would suggest the parts actually have. Other characters are provided substantially less screen time, and equivalent consideration in how they're written, so the remainder of the cast is rather stuck with what they're given. Still, I like the stars well enough that I think I'd like to see them in more features.
'Wolf mother' is a mess. There are quite a few very good ideas here, and there was great potential in the screenplay. This is all wasted with a rough, indelicate execution that's simply all over the place: attempts at humor that do not land, unrepentant parroting of anything else the film-maker has ever seen, dramatic and emotional beats scarcely imparted with the gravity they deserve, frenetic bursts of action that actively disengage the viewer's attachment, story beats that are sometimes very loosely connected. I genuinely like the performances given by Townsend and Pinassi, however unevenly their parts were written, yet they alone cannot save the production.
'Wolf mother' could have been a good movie. I find myself very disappointed in how decisively it is not.
Not recommended except perhaps for the most open-minded and persevering of audiences.
Tripe reviews
Snootz25 September 2017
Gave this 1 star just to help counteract the bogus 10-star "I'm associated with the production team!" ratings. Such "reviews" stand out like a sore thumb. They don't help the movie. They don't fool anyone. They're a waste-of-time annoyance that convinces some people to absolutely not waste their time watching this film. (If the reviews have to be fake to make the movie sound good, it's not worth watching.)
Some jokers never learn. If your movie can't stand on its own without posting fake ratings, you need to find a different line of work.
Some jokers never learn. If your movie can't stand on its own without posting fake ratings, you need to find a different line of work.
See all my review
jake_fantom17 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
The words "10 Star Review" and "Tom Sizemore" just don't go together. I wish all those pathetic trolls who work on these wretched movies would find a better way to promote their misbegotten failures than to leave these bogus reviews on IMDb. Not that they are fooling anyone. At least take a few minutes to review a few other crappy movies so it is not so perfectly obvious to everyone that you are associated with the film. For the record, this is an unwatchable, make-it-up-as-they-go-along atrocity of a picture that makes typical crapola indie productions look like Gone with the Wind. You've been warned.
Utter Drivel
rick-morgan906329 September 2017
In the interests of full disclosure, I concede that I never made it to the end of the movie - but I saw enough to decide to submit my review in order to help those folks who might be thinking "I'll give it a go, nothing much else to do"! Please don't. Like many other film buffs, I am tired of false rating submitted by those who clearly have a vested interest in these films - they don't fool anyone, and are a constant irritant to genuine movie lovers who want to know if a feature is any good. Bad acting, predictable script, formulaic plot - dreadful film, please ignore it and do something more productive with your time.
Seriously avoid
stephenmoore19891 October 2017
Absolute rubbish 2 hours of my life I will never get back, thought their was some good reviews I am a film fanatic seriously avoid at all costs but if you want to look at some nakedness then crack on I thought in my opinion it has to be one of the worst films I have ever watched weak plot and rubbish acting you have been warned
Not Even Najarra Could Save This One
hammerheadcases7 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I'm a huge fan of Najarra Townsend and have been consuming her, so far, limited filmography which led me to Wolf Mother. It's a low budget, slow moving, gritty, quasi-redemption story that falls flat on so many levels. While Najarra does a commendable job as the child star turned street walker, her complex backstory really could have unfolded in much more comprehensive storyline. I did not enjoy the lead male role at all. The character is a down on his luck con man and the actor seemed wrong for the role from the start and his performance was choppy at best. Interesting how Tom Sizemore, a serial B actor gets top billing and only appears in the film for about 3 minutes! It's pretty evident that the 10 out of 10 reviews are associated with the film in some way because there is no way any rational human being could give this drivel 10/10! To the one 10/10 reviewer who said "I never saw that ending coming" have you never seen Bonnie & Clyde, The Godfather or The Devil's Rejects?
Disturbing visions of flawed people
FarandFewBetween2 July 2016
I loved the performances by Pinassi, and Townsend. Not everyone will like this movie, but if you like excitingly daring films, you will love this one. The soundtrack is amazing, all songs are just the perfect choice. I enjoyed every minute of the movie and I could watch over and over. Sadly it's not yet released. I don't want to say too much about the film because there are no words to describe what I felt when I watched it, it is an experience you have to see for yourself. I really admire Carlson's imagination, how could he think about writing such a weird and incredible story? I watched his last film Toy Soldiers, but yet to see his first one. A true talent.
Outsiders - pack and otherwise
kosmasp12 June 2022
If you are wondering about the title - I did too - it will be mentioned in the movie. And it may even make sense to some. By that point the whole thing was too far gone for me to care for any explanation at all. This is beyond understanding - or norms for that matter.
Your moral compass will be in overdrive on so many things. And if you actually root for the main male character - well I couldn't, he was way too despicable on multiple levels. That being said, Najarra almost saves the day. Her role/character is also quite off beat (and yes I am putting it lightly and nicely), but she is a breath and then some of fresh air.
Yes she is beautiful, but so are other individuals in the movie. She is able to bring some sort of gravitas and make you care for her. At least a little bit - which may go some way to explain why I didn't go lower with my vote. A lot of nudity to begin with - but do not worry (or do?), the movie will not keep that tempo. It will take quite the long break. Actually you may get angry when our main character shrugs off (quite rudely if I may add) a love scene in the making.
Still this is insanity and if you try to understand the motives of our main characters, you are lost already ... if you can suspend your disbelief and just drag along (no pun intended), you will be fine.
Your moral compass will be in overdrive on so many things. And if you actually root for the main male character - well I couldn't, he was way too despicable on multiple levels. That being said, Najarra almost saves the day. Her role/character is also quite off beat (and yes I am putting it lightly and nicely), but she is a breath and then some of fresh air.
Yes she is beautiful, but so are other individuals in the movie. She is able to bring some sort of gravitas and make you care for her. At least a little bit - which may go some way to explain why I didn't go lower with my vote. A lot of nudity to begin with - but do not worry (or do?), the movie will not keep that tempo. It will take quite the long break. Actually you may get angry when our main character shrugs off (quite rudely if I may add) a love scene in the making.
Still this is insanity and if you try to understand the motives of our main characters, you are lost already ... if you can suspend your disbelief and just drag along (no pun intended), you will be fine.
a solid four
yelofneb-630377 June 2019
Warning: Spoilers
How do I compare...etc.
it's an indie movie that displays a lot of potential in the 1st half and seems to lose its steam due to reasons that have nothing to do with the team that delivered the tale till then. the actors are great and it's obvious that they were working with a difficult narrative right from the start but they managed to deliver so well that the sudden crash in in direction is overwhelming.
still, it's worth watching. there's good chemistry between the lead actors, and they are good actors, entirely believable in their roles.
it's indie and lacking a completely structured narrative but it's worth watching, especially just to make notes about how not to waste a good start.
it's an indie movie that displays a lot of potential in the 1st half and seems to lose its steam due to reasons that have nothing to do with the team that delivered the tale till then. the actors are great and it's obvious that they were working with a difficult narrative right from the start but they managed to deliver so well that the sudden crash in in direction is overwhelming.
still, it's worth watching. there's good chemistry between the lead actors, and they are good actors, entirely believable in their roles.
it's indie and lacking a completely structured narrative but it's worth watching, especially just to make notes about how not to waste a good start.
Took big risks and succeeded in every turn.
fatedhearts8 November 2016
It's not everyday you get a film quite like Wolf Mother. A type of redemption story that deals with the themes of prostitution and child kidnapping (to name a couple), it does at times get incredibly dark, gritty, and shows it is not afraid to take any risks. Wolf Mother was a great watch from start to finish. The two leads, Najarra Townsend and Kevin Pinassi, had great chemistry between their characters which made the premise and story all the more real. I don't want to get into spoiler territory, with that being said, if you are looking for a decent thriller with fleshed out characters and a story that takes a few unexpected turns, then this is definitely worth checking out!
Two Movies In One
ricardoschtiegmokwena17 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
From the beginning it's a sex comedy and then at the end it's a tragic heartbreaking human trafficking film. The producers didn't know which direction to take. Kevin Pinassi shines as Ben and Najarra Townsend is remarkable as Zelda. The movie's success is the astonishing performances of the two lead characters. The script is flawed by the misdirection of the film genre. I still don't know if it's a dark sex comedy or a psychological crime thriller. And why they chose to name the film 'Wolf Mother is another mishap'. The title sells the movie short and it's really not about Zelda -The Wolf Mother but Ben 'The Cop Killer'. Maybe perhaps' Cop Killer & Wolf Mother' would have worked!
The title of the film has to be a poetic one and that draws peoples curiosity to watching the movie.
I loved it though .It's intriguing and keeps on your toes the whole time. Also the dialogue is on point.
Why I Gave It A Five
bretthatchman31 January 2019
A little long winded for me, but that's just me. Some scenes could have been left out as they appeared to be time fillers. Having said that, at no time did I want to hit stop. I think the cast did a good job with what they had to work with. Even though he had a small part, Vescio was at his creepy best. Visually it was quite good. A lot of the locations worked a treat and helped make the casts job a little easier. I watch it via Google Play & didn't feel cheated at having to pay $5.99 to rent. I gave it a solid 5.
Loved it
paiged6429 November 2016
Everything about Wolf Mother grabbed me from the first ten minutes in. I was already intrigued by the title alone, but that's only the beginning.
The story is riveting and suspenseful, the actors are fantastic with great chemistry, the dark noir atmosphere is right up my alley and the music is awesome and perfect!
I spent a large part of the time on the edge of my seat. This is one I cannot wait to own and feel lucky to have had a chance to see it prior to its release. I highly recommend, and great job to all involved. This is one of the best movies I've seen in some time and I will soon be checking out The Toy Soldiers as well.
The story is riveting and suspenseful, the actors are fantastic with great chemistry, the dark noir atmosphere is right up my alley and the music is awesome and perfect!
I spent a large part of the time on the edge of my seat. This is one I cannot wait to own and feel lucky to have had a chance to see it prior to its release. I highly recommend, and great job to all involved. This is one of the best movies I've seen in some time and I will soon be checking out The Toy Soldiers as well.
Wolf Mother starts out slow, but keep watching.
Gracie9630 September 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Excellent film with interesting characters. Two bad people--each with their own misdeeds--try to do something good in their lives by searching for a missing child. When that missing child reappears without their help, they are at a loss of what to do except go after the people responsible for kidnapping the child. A surprise ending you won't see coming. Highly recommend this movie.
If i could give this movie 10 stars i would!
alharrington-3341016 November 2016
Very Good movie, I watched this movie Two times and Blown away by the plot and on the edge of your seat twists! Najarra Townsend as usual brings the Intense level to the max she is just amazing, and Erik Peter Carson is a great Writer/Director,The Way the Movie Begins is totally a surprise Lots of different things happen in this movie that makes you not even get up from your seat,By the Half of the movie i was so excited to see more and more twists and you never know when the nest twist is about to come! and all leads to the dramatic ending that really surprised me, if you like your movies with action, Sexiness, to the point Dialog this is it, an awesome movie!
Dark, Real, Powerful
theycallmeiams25 October 2016
Erik Peter Carlson directed/wrote another masterpiece in my opinion. Erik knows how to tackle real and dark themes in a way not too many film makers can. Similar to Erik's work in The Toy Soldiers, WOLF MOTHER delivers what it set out to do. Najarra Townsend put on a fantastic performance that'll be appreciated for years to come. Kevin Pinassi is a likable and relatable character from beginning to end. This movie is about redemption and I loved it. Anything Erik Peter Carlson or Najarra Townsend do from here on out.. Im 100% on board. If you like a well written drama that is not afraid to dig into some slightly uncomfortable themes and moments in a way that makes total sense. WATCH THIS MOVIE!
Few movies like Wolf Mother
gavinmckee-5037021 September 2017
This movie is supposed to be contemporary, yet it makes you feel like you are watching a movie made in 1985, in a great way. Filthy, degenerate, T n' A... some more T n' A... (never hurt no one) which I appreciate because I am not a porn fiend, and sex has largely left movies because it can not compete, so Hollywood thinks, with Hollywood's porn... This flick is off its rocker and moderately brilliant. More interesting to watch than any feature or blockbuster I have seen since what? The Pianist? AI? Exit through the gift shop? What an insane enjoyable trip... do not watch around the youngsters!
stay away
hansv-2817125 October 2018
Chilling Thriller
mitchellt-974025 October 2021
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