2022 has been a banner year for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with new releases spanning many different genres and formats, but Werewolf by Night stands out as the best entry so far. The spooky tale is an odd one out as neither a film nor a TV show but a television special heading straight to Disney+ instead. While under an hour long, Werewolf by Night is a breath of fresh, chilling air for the MCU, showing a different -- and welcome --type of storytelling.
Directed by Michael Giacchino, notably the composer on many Marvel properties, and teleplay by Heather Quinn and Peter Cameron, Werewolf by Night tells the story of a group of hunters, including Elsa Bloodstone (Laura Donnelly), pursuing a monster in a ritualistic, life-or-death contest. Stuck in the middle of this nightmarish hunt is Jack Russell (Gael García Bernal), the titular werewolf, who is after something more dear than the rest of the hunters.
Werewolf by Night is an MCU special for those who've been waiting for the company to dare to push beyond the superhero genre. While Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness explored horror elements, it was still primarily a superhero film. Werewolf by Night, on the other hand, is a horror special first, giving long-time fans a new take on the world of Marvel. Meanwhile, this is a great chance for those who aren't established MCU fans to give the property a shot, as no esoteric Marvel knowledge is needed before diving into this special.
The end result is a love letter to classic horror films, specifically those from Universal. Visually, Werewolf by Night looks like a classic monster movie; however, it's more than just a surface-level recreation of those films. Giacchino and cinematographer Zoë White utilize the '30s-style black-and-white filmmaking to the best of their ability. The use of shadow and light is some of the best in the MCU, specifically during the transformation sequence fans will be waiting for. There is a noir element to Werewolf by Night that embraces how shadows can create a horrific and uneasy environment, and other MCU titles should take note of White's visual style here.
Werewolf by Night is also a master class on how not showing everything can actually be more terrifying or suspenseful. While a horror special, this is still on Disney+ and part of the MCU, with both usually targeting an all-ages audience. Werewolf by Night cleverly hides certain scares, instead using shadow to convey what's happening or relying on reactions from other characters. This works to the special's advantage, as viewers get to fill in those blanks without feeling like they're being cheated out of something frightful. Meanwhile, what is shown does not hold back. Man-Thing and the werewolf both look great and deliver on being monsters instead of strange-looking heroes. The practical effects particularly stand out when it comes to the werewolf.
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The action and violence in Werewolf by Night are also some best of the MCU. While in black in white, there is blood splattered everywhere, and it is no less shocking or gory. The stakes are high in Werewolf by Night, and no hunter or monster is holding back. Bloodstone, in particular, is an action hero who deserves to be up there with Van Helsing, and viewers will absolutely want to see what else Donnelly can do in future MCU titles. Meanwhile, García Bernal embraces the monster within and delivers an amazing, unhinged action sequence that reminds everyone his character is a monster, not an Avenger.
However, García Bernal also brings a tenderness to Jack Russell. He is a sympathetic monster, and that's brought to life by García Bernal's charming personality and kind eyes. Like Frankenstein's monster, Jack has more humanity than the humans hunting the monsters. His endearing qualities are fully on display when he is with Man-Thing, ensuring viewers will want more of these two in the future.
The biggest criticism of Werewolf by Night is that audiences will want more. Werewolf by Night exceeds expectations and delivers on being an instant Halloween classic. However, it is short, and there is so much more to explore with these characters and this side of Marvel. Hopefully, Halloween specials like this can become a tradition for the MCU. Meanwhile, the MCU should utilize this talent -- on camera and behind the camera -- more in future endeavors. Werewolf by Night is the biggest treat the MCU could give fans this October.
Werewolf by Night hits Disney+ Oct. 7, 2022.