Phase 4 has been a time of transition for Marvel Cinematic Universe. Iron Man is dead, Avengers are in stasis and new Disney Plus shows launch as fast as they can be viewed. This could be the right time to launch new Disney Plus shows. Night Werewolf.
Some Phase 4 experiments were more successful then others. Tom Hiddleston barely broke a sweat during the entire season of Loki. Meanwhile, even Oscar Isaac couldn’t save Moon Knight. Not every character needs a feature-length film or a lengthy series, which is why I was so intrigued to see Marvel’s first one-off holiday special.
Night WerewolfIt is unique in the MCU and may be why it works.
Night Werewolf Spoiler-free review
A group of monster hunters meets to contest the fate of Ulysses Bloodstone who has died. The “Special Presentation,”Marvel refers it to as “Horror Movies of 1930s and 1940s”, and especially its black-andwhite aesthetic.
READ MORE: Take a look at our ranking of all MCU Disney Plus shows so far.
Verusa Bloodstone (Harriet Sansom Harris), widow and host of Ulysses’ event, becomes angry when Elsa Bloodstone(Laura Donnelly), daughter to Ulysses shows up to throw her hat at the ring. Elsa, despite being separated from her father for many years, still wants the chance to win back their family heirloom.
In order to do so, she will have to best some of the world’s greatest monster hunters. That includes the mysterious Jack Russell (Gael García Bernal), who seems not to be on the same wavelengthAs his fellow hunters despite his unprecedented accomplishments.
What follows is Marvel’s first “mood piece,” as Night of the WerewolfIt is more important to pay homage and establish a tone in horror films than to weave a complex story. Michael Giacchino, director of Michael Giacchino, is a composer first and foremost. He has scored such films as Lost, Up, Rogue One, Spider-Man, There’s No Way HomeAnd Thor: Love and Thunder.
Giacchino has directed 2 short filmsThis was his first major directororial role. The stakes weren’t especially high, as Werewolf by Night isn’t about to be the next Steve Rogers, but the special stands on its own. Giacchino manages to mash up the look and feel of a ’30s monster movie with a modern blockbuster without sacrificing the strengths of either.
The special’s true strength is its lead characters. Bernal brings a calm, gentle energy and a sense of humor to a world filled with over-the top heroes and villains. His sensitive nature contrasts well with the cartoonish aggression of the other hunters. Donnelly is a good foil for him and steals the scene many times. By the time the special ended, I was trying to figure out where I’d like to see these characters in upcoming MCU adventures.
What is the difference? Night of the Werewolf sets up more stories for any of its characters, it is a stellar proof of concept for future not-quite-feature-length specials. Every story does not need to be six episodes long or released theatrically. Marvel should allow writers, directors, actors, and producers to continue exploring lesser-known characters in this format. They never overstay their welcome and leave us wanting more.