Werewolves is not a good monster movie. It's not trying to be. It's trying to be a comedy and a twisty who done it. I think it succeeds at both it kept me guessing and kept me laughing. The two leads are both great, especially the ranger with wholesome attitude. I liked it enough to write this review.
252 Reviews
No Bad Moon
thasaint-129 October 2021
Excited to see this one and it was pretty good. Milana is just as cute in this one as she is in the AT&T commercials. Glad to see her branching out for some major roles. Overall it a Clue-type vibe with a Horror ending. It starts a little slow but gets better if you can stick with it. I loved all the actors in this one, perfect choices!!! I had no idea this was a video game? Overall worth the watch.
So close
FeastMode4 February 2022
The premise is great, I love the tone, it's pretty funny, and I was generally amused. Everything in the setup intrigued me. But as an overall movie, I feel like it just missed the mark of being something memorable and rewatchable. And while the mystery aspect was well-done, they completely give it away at one point. I'm glad I watched it, but it missed the cut. (1 viewing, 2/3/2022)
Definitely a different approach to the werewolf genre...
paul_haakonsen3 August 2021
When I sat down to watch "Werewolves Within", I must admit that I hadn't even heard about the movie, nor seen a trailer or anything, so I wasn't really sure what I was in for here. Yeah, of course the title does sell the concept of this being a werewolf movie, but aside from that, then I only knew this was a horror comedy.
So with that clean slate, I sat down to watch the movie, so writer Mishna Wolff - and boy what a coincidence with that surname and the concept of movie, huh? - had every opportunity to win me over.
And I will admit that the movie was actually quite interesting. Sure, the werewolf aspect of the movie was there, but there wasn't a whole lot of actual showcasing the lycanthrope itself in the movie. So if you sit down to watch it for that, which I had hoped it would be, then the movie might be a bit disappointing for you.
The storyline was interesting, as it managed to combine a handful of different elements and genres in a rather fulfilling and entertaining manner. Director Josh Ruben definitely managed to put the script and storyline to life on the screen in a pleasing way.
"Werewolves Within" is actually a who did it murder mystery with a supernatural twist to it. So yeah, this wasn't exactly your average werewolf creature feature.
It should be said that the acting in the movie is rather good. Although I was not overly familiar with actor Sam Richardson, then I will say that he definitely was well-cast for this movie.
My rating of "Werewolves Within" lands on a six out of ten stars.
So with that clean slate, I sat down to watch the movie, so writer Mishna Wolff - and boy what a coincidence with that surname and the concept of movie, huh? - had every opportunity to win me over.
And I will admit that the movie was actually quite interesting. Sure, the werewolf aspect of the movie was there, but there wasn't a whole lot of actual showcasing the lycanthrope itself in the movie. So if you sit down to watch it for that, which I had hoped it would be, then the movie might be a bit disappointing for you.
The storyline was interesting, as it managed to combine a handful of different elements and genres in a rather fulfilling and entertaining manner. Director Josh Ruben definitely managed to put the script and storyline to life on the screen in a pleasing way.
"Werewolves Within" is actually a who did it murder mystery with a supernatural twist to it. So yeah, this wasn't exactly your average werewolf creature feature.
It should be said that the acting in the movie is rather good. Although I was not overly familiar with actor Sam Richardson, then I will say that he definitely was well-cast for this movie.
My rating of "Werewolves Within" lands on a six out of ten stars.
Not bad
GeorgeMezori26 October 2021
Knives Out with Werewolves
gzujew-1284710 July 2021
This is a weird, character driven, small town who done it murder mystery dealio. Super quirky supporting characters that are played over the top by the actors (overacting). Sam Richardson is amazing. Nice seeing him as a lead, he really needs some buddy comedy movie that will take him over the top. Overall super fun renter if you like those oddball comedy films. If you are looking for horror or werewolves this is not for you. Oh and it has the most realistic snowfall I have ever seen in a movie:)
Werewolves Within: Hybrid Whodunit with Middling Supporting Cast, Story, Kills, Red Herrings + Strong Lead, Setting, Atmosphere, Editing, Score
DrDanielChallis3 July 2021
We all know the history of video game to movie adaptations. Middling at best, eye-rolling so bad its good time killers. I'm not rating it based on the game - I'm rating the movie itself. If you're looking for a small-town, quirky Fargo-esque whodunit with some small moments of humor mixed in with even smaller moments of horror and weird small-town, narrow minded personalities represented, then this is it. If you're looking for a heavy dose of any one genre or sub-genre you're going to be somewhat disappointed with this hybrid film.
The lead is an up an coming actor with a great range - (see him in The Tomorrow War w/Chris Pratt) - other than him, the rest of the cast is middling. It feels like a missed opportunity with the supporting cast, dialogue - and given that they skimped on red herring moments and great kills (or lack of) - I would give this movie a 5/10. The lead, setting/atmosphere, score are 9/10 and elevate the overall package. It is a perfect introduction to horror for the younger crowd.
I'd rank this as a better film than Howl, Late Phases and Wer but it does not stand out for its time like Ginger Snaps. An American Werewolf in London will never seemingly be toppled for a horror comedy and remains the platinum standard in the werewolf sub-genre, with The Howling close behind for transformation and overall horror.
The lead is an up an coming actor with a great range - (see him in The Tomorrow War w/Chris Pratt) - other than him, the rest of the cast is middling. It feels like a missed opportunity with the supporting cast, dialogue - and given that they skimped on red herring moments and great kills (or lack of) - I would give this movie a 5/10. The lead, setting/atmosphere, score are 9/10 and elevate the overall package. It is a perfect introduction to horror for the younger crowd.
I'd rank this as a better film than Howl, Late Phases and Wer but it does not stand out for its time like Ginger Snaps. An American Werewolf in London will never seemingly be toppled for a horror comedy and remains the platinum standard in the werewolf sub-genre, with The Howling close behind for transformation and overall horror.
Horror comedy whodunit
youngcollind11 October 2021
The film effectively promotes itself as a lighthearted werewolf flick, but doesn't fully convey the "And Then There Were None" style murder mystery at it's core. The three styles do work well together, though they all come across slightly diluted. The comedy is dry but likeable, coming more from quirky character traits than slapstick punchlines. The horror is very minimal, nearly all coming from off screen implication. The whodunit is the central focus really, and for the most part effective, though some details and backstory border on tedious. If you can accept the three styles without asking too much of one, it's all the kind of light fun you can expect from a movie with "werewolf" in the title.
Not enough...
zeelu-895504 July 2021
It felt at times i was about to see something amazing happen but never happens. I was left disappointed with wanting more. The movie is well done and the cast is solid but it's just ok funny, never really crosses over the line to being really funny. It's worth a watch but not going to be a movie you watch again.
No horror but good fun
thekarmicnomad4 January 2022
This is in the same vain as The Final Girls.
An ultra nice warden moves to an isolated community where something hairy and toothy stalks the forest.
This is more of a whodunit than a horror movie.
I was put off watching it as it looked cheap and I had never heard of it but the production values are pretty good and the acting is above standard.
I really loved Sam Richardson - his relentless niceness is so endearing and Milan plays a great sassy part, oozing with a girl-next-door sex appeal
There is no gore or horror here and, although not laugh out loud funny, there is a lot of pretty nifty jokes.
This is perfect for a Sunday or weekday treat.
An ultra nice warden moves to an isolated community where something hairy and toothy stalks the forest.
This is more of a whodunit than a horror movie.
I was put off watching it as it looked cheap and I had never heard of it but the production values are pretty good and the acting is above standard.
I really loved Sam Richardson - his relentless niceness is so endearing and Milan plays a great sassy part, oozing with a girl-next-door sex appeal
There is no gore or horror here and, although not laugh out loud funny, there is a lot of pretty nifty jokes.
This is perfect for a Sunday or weekday treat.
Fun, good mystery, great characters.
PaxD7529 December 2021
I see lots of reviews that are trying to box this film into something it was never intended to be. If you're in the mood for something that's a fun light drama, good dialogue and a bunch of quirky characters - this film will entertain.
If your expectations are for a laugh out loud comedy or a serious dramatic horror - you are in the wrong aisle.
The film is driven by the characters, led by the performances of Sam Richardson and Milana Vayntrub - both of whom shined in their roles and were probably the closest to normal among the entire cast.
Note: this is an adaptation of a video game, it seems. It appears that the synopsis describes the video game much better than the film. I'd disregard the current description and focus on keywords like: werewolf, small town, quirkiness - not much else - to help set expectations.
If your expectations are for a laugh out loud comedy or a serious dramatic horror - you are in the wrong aisle.
The film is driven by the characters, led by the performances of Sam Richardson and Milana Vayntrub - both of whom shined in their roles and were probably the closest to normal among the entire cast.
Note: this is an adaptation of a video game, it seems. It appears that the synopsis describes the video game much better than the film. I'd disregard the current description and focus on keywords like: werewolf, small town, quirkiness - not much else - to help set expectations.
No scares, no laughs
mwalsh-039246 July 2021
More Amusing Than Thrilling Yet Thoroughly Entertaining
CinemaClown10 August 2021
Beautifully blending & balancing the elements of comedy, horror & whodunnit mystery into a howling gem, Werewolves Within is more amusing than scary yet manages to be captivating from start to finish. Packed with a colourful set of characters whose interplay injects a fresh quality to its witty & kinetic story, this indie comedy horror is one of the better delights of the year.
Directed by Josh Ruben, the picture comes sprinkled with lycanthropic flavours but it is at its most interesting when dissecting the small-town community and highlighting their prejudices & tendencies to paint a fascinating milieu of our own society, all without sacrificing the genre thrills, fun vibe or entertainment value. And by not acquainting us too well with its characters, Ruben keeps everyone under suspicion.
The tone is lighthearted but there is a lot brewing under the surface. However, since the story never sidelines its comedic touches, the suspenseful moments don't pack the same punch as the funny ones and it is almost devoid of tension & terror. Performances are excellent from all. Sam Richardson leads from the front & is a likeable protagonist. Milana Vayntrub also stands out with her affable input. And the rest play their roles responsibly.
Overall, Werewolves Within makes for a delicious cinematic offering of its video game source and is a confidently crafted & intelligently narrated effort. The comedy comes from the script while remote setting, wintry surroundings & polished camerawork function in tandem to bring the horror aspects into play. Sharp in humour, scathing in commentary & snappy in execution, Josh Ruben's sophomore feature is a much welcome surprise that's worth your time & money.
Directed by Josh Ruben, the picture comes sprinkled with lycanthropic flavours but it is at its most interesting when dissecting the small-town community and highlighting their prejudices & tendencies to paint a fascinating milieu of our own society, all without sacrificing the genre thrills, fun vibe or entertainment value. And by not acquainting us too well with its characters, Ruben keeps everyone under suspicion.
The tone is lighthearted but there is a lot brewing under the surface. However, since the story never sidelines its comedic touches, the suspenseful moments don't pack the same punch as the funny ones and it is almost devoid of tension & terror. Performances are excellent from all. Sam Richardson leads from the front & is a likeable protagonist. Milana Vayntrub also stands out with her affable input. And the rest play their roles responsibly.
Overall, Werewolves Within makes for a delicious cinematic offering of its video game source and is a confidently crafted & intelligently narrated effort. The comedy comes from the script while remote setting, wintry surroundings & polished camerawork function in tandem to bring the horror aspects into play. Sharp in humour, scathing in commentary & snappy in execution, Josh Ruben's sophomore feature is a much welcome surprise that's worth your time & money.
Campy horror-com
TheTruthofItIs12 August 2021
"Werewolves Within" is a good date-night movie, it's a campy horror-comedy that throws off "Northern Exposure" vibes. You'll enjoy Kenan Thompson look-alike Sam Richardson as the new park ranger in town. (Sam also played comic-relief in Amazon's recently released "The Tomorrow War".) And of course there's AT&T's "Lily" Milana Vayntrub who plays the cute ditz but surprises us in the movie's twist ending. It's a low-budget production but it moves along at a good pace and the ending is as campy as the rest, so just enjoy a lighthearted horror-com.
Funny and chaotic
Movi3DO23 August 2021
A horror comedy where neighbors in a small town were terrorized by werewolves.
Let's put a disclaimer that this movie is chaotic. People were constantly screaming and panicking because first, they are clearly nuts, and second, they were stuck in a room in a who-done-it situation. The pacing was very fast, and there were hardly any slow moments. This and the craziness of the characters made the movie pretty funny and entertaining. The jokes were surface-level and snappy.
As a horror, many of the scenes were pretty intense. There was nothing new, and a lot of jump scares. I got annoyed at some, but overall I wasn't too bothered. The atmosphere of the movie felt like a fun horror to watch on Christmas or Halloween.
Among all the actors, Milana Vayntrub probably stood out the most. She was being her usual funny AT&T girl and her character's relationship with the main guy was entertaining.
Overall, a fun and chaotic horror. 7/10.
Let's put a disclaimer that this movie is chaotic. People were constantly screaming and panicking because first, they are clearly nuts, and second, they were stuck in a room in a who-done-it situation. The pacing was very fast, and there were hardly any slow moments. This and the craziness of the characters made the movie pretty funny and entertaining. The jokes were surface-level and snappy.
As a horror, many of the scenes were pretty intense. There was nothing new, and a lot of jump scares. I got annoyed at some, but overall I wasn't too bothered. The atmosphere of the movie felt like a fun horror to watch on Christmas or Halloween.
Among all the actors, Milana Vayntrub probably stood out the most. She was being her usual funny AT&T girl and her character's relationship with the main guy was entertaining.
Overall, a fun and chaotic horror. 7/10.
Werewolf? Where wolf?
Pjtaylor-96-13804420 July 2022
'Werewolves Within (2021)' is a quaint little horror-inflected whodunnit based on the video-game of the same name, itself based on a popular parlour game that makes one member of a group a secret killer who must pick off their companions one by one without getting caught. The film is pretty much the perfect adaptation of those things insofar as it achieves the same result: a single session's worth of warm-hearted fun with just a hint of grim frustration. There isn't anything especially complex or, even, all that exemplary about the overall affair, but it's a cute and enjoyable experience that provides plenty of chuckles thanks to its eclectic cast of high-strung suspects and its increasingly frenzied approach to its central concept. I managed to successfully pinpoint the eponymous werewolf, who may or may not be an actual creature of the night, within minutes of their very first appearance. However, that isn't really an issue because the flick still features a slew of smaller yet more surprising twists. Besides, this is much more about the journey than the destination, even though the finale is fairly satisfying in its own right. Ultimately, this is just a solid slice of disposable fun. It's really earnest and endearing. It isn't hilarious and it isn't horrific, but it is funny and it is suspenseful on more than one occasion. Though it likely won't stay with you for very long, it's an entertaining in-the-moment experience that's perhaps best described in the same way as its refreshingly considerate protagonist: nice.
The Werewolf is .....
neil-douglas201015 August 2022
This is one of those films you can really enjoy because most of the characters are really annoying so you don't care when they bite the dust.
I have to say for once I knew who the werewolf was, but there's a lot of red herrings.
The cast is good, considering there's a lot of weird characters in the movie, but it's really about Sam Richardson as the new Ranger and Milana Vayntrub as the Postwoman.
I won't spoil the ending, but it's a decent wee film.
I have to say for once I knew who the werewolf was, but there's a lot of red herrings.
The cast is good, considering there's a lot of weird characters in the movie, but it's really about Sam Richardson as the new Ranger and Milana Vayntrub as the Postwoman.
I won't spoil the ending, but it's a decent wee film.
Missed opportunity to make a great horror/comedy.
edgardo-3394224 June 2021
Going into this I was extremely exciting for a comedy horror with the lovely Milana Vayntrub. Also Harvey Guillen from What We Do In The Shadows got me thinking maybe it would be something the lines of a mockumentary with werewolves and all the lore that comes with that. Unfortunately the film misses the mark for what it was trying to be: funny and scary. I won't give any spoilers. The dialogues and jokes were just too forced and boring. Reminded me of a cable teen comedy show. The plot was just too muddled and dragged on too long. A majority of the characters were unlikeable and forgettable. There were some good scenes when the film tried being a horror film and a few funny moments but half way through i kinda just wanted it to end. I think that the film would have worked better if they had just committed to making a horror film. Sad to say but I rate this film 5/10.
pretty good
thewalkingpuns3 January 2022
I quite liked this horror comedy. It had a nice cast that worked well together and I think a sequel would be nice to see. It almost reminded me of the game until dawn but also it was interesting to see Ubisoft being part of a film. Milana Vayntrub was pretty cute to.
It's got the bite
kosmasp30 May 2022
And the humor - actually probably more humor than bite. Having said that, it will be up to you and your sensibilities to decide if the movie is even something you want to see or not. Because if you are not into horror mixed with comedy (or the other way around) - don't even give it a try.
If you are still here: the movie is a fun little "time waster". And I mean that in the most endearing possible way. It is light (ok maybe not too light considering the blood and death involved, but you know in a funny way and all that), it has humor and characters you can root for. If you actually want to.
If you are still here: the movie is a fun little "time waster". And I mean that in the most endearing possible way. It is light (ok maybe not too light considering the blood and death involved, but you know in a funny way and all that), it has humor and characters you can root for. If you actually want to.
Waste of time
ptrsknnr4 July 2021
Wasnt funny wasnt scary wasnt anything.......too much yelling and people talking over each other........its like an Agatha Christie Whos the Werewolf? Queeny gay couple has been done tiringly in movies of late.......most unlikable cast.....sloppy script......bad direction.
good comedy horror
SnoopyStyle3 August 2022
Newly-assigned park ranger Finn Wheeler (Sam Richardson) arrives in the small town of Beaverfield. He's not a manly man but he's working on it. There is local political upheaval over a proposed pipeline. Cecily Moore (Milana Vayntrub) is the mail-person among a town of wacky folks.
The style has a bit of Edgar Wright. Director Josh Ruben seems to be an actor who does some TV directing. The sense of humor and tone is definitely Wright even down to the style of editing. Sam Richardson is a fun under-the-radar nice guy lead. I certainly hope that he breaks out soon. This is not quite at the Cornetto trilogy level but it's in the right ballpark.
The style has a bit of Edgar Wright. Director Josh Ruben seems to be an actor who does some TV directing. The sense of humor and tone is definitely Wright even down to the style of editing. Sam Richardson is a fun under-the-radar nice guy lead. I certainly hope that he breaks out soon. This is not quite at the Cornetto trilogy level but it's in the right ballpark.
Lot of Fun
Intermissionman_5 July 2021
Fun movie and funny
kpanilaryea3 July 2021
4 episodes of an above-average sitcom..
A_Different_Drummer12 September 2021
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