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October is officially here and you know what that means: pumpkin spice lattes, cozy blankets and monster movies. Marvel is celebrating the spooky season with their newest Disney+ entry,Werewolf By Night. What makes this entry so unique compared to Marvel’s usual Disney+ fair, is that it’s a one time special rather than a series with weekly episodes. It’s completely detached from the greater MCU and, as a result, it’s allotted a certain level of creative freedoms that other entries might not receive. For instance, its use of black and white cinematography is something we wouldn’t find in the wider MCU; however, here it’s used to create a vintage ambiance reminiscent of the monster movies that were so popular in the 1950’s.
A group of deadly and accomplished monster hunters are gathered at the mysterious Bloodstone Temple. They’re told that a monster will be released within the compound, the first to successfully kill the beast and obtain the powerful Bloodstone embedded in its hide will be declared the victor and take on the role of leader. However, the monster they hunt isn’t the only dangerous beast within these walls. The hunters will also have to survive attacks from their competitors as the night quickly turns into a deadly game of cat and mouse.
Also Read:5 Reasons Why Man-Thing Could Be Important To The MCU
Horror is my favorite genre of film. However, it’s a genre that is extremely difficult to pull off well. 2022 has been an astounding year for horror with movies likeX, Scream, BarbarianandPearlall reaching new and exciting heights in the genre that often feels tired and predictable. WhileWerewolf By Nightdoesn’t lean too heavily into the horror side of its story, it beautifully recreates the style and atmosphere of old school horror classics.
When any self respecting horror hound thinks of monster movies, they think of the Universal Classics:Dracula, Frankenstein, The Creature From The Black Lagoonand (of course)The Wolf Man.These are the movies thatWerewolf By Nightmost closely pays tribute to. It creates its own world, however its influences are undeniable and it perfectly balances homage with originality. This is the most violent we’ve seen the MCU go. Although the black and white helps to dull the impact of the gore, it’s still elevated to a level of violence that may surprise fans.
Gael Garcia Bernal (Old) plays Jack Russell; yes, the name is a bit on the nose, but comics aren’t exactly known for their subtlety. He brings the character to life with a mixture of vulnerability and confidence that shouldn’t work, but somehow does. He’s seen and experienced things that most could never imagine, and those experiences have forced him to remain guarded. It’s Gael’s performancepriorto his transformation that sets the stage for the climactic finale. The transformation itself is magnificently executed, rivaled only byAn American Werewolf In Londonfor the best of its kind.
#WerewolfByNightwas a Howling Good Time! A throwback to the days of the classic#UniversalMonsters. There’s action, gore, thrills and a touch of ‘An American Werewolf In London’ with top notch cinematography and choreography. All wrapped up in a tightly paced 53 minutes.pic.twitter.com/uIMaQlNgL4
— Joshua Ryan (@MrMovieGuy86)June 02, 2025
Also Read:Werewolf By Night Producer Confirms Monsters Have Been In MCU
Through a blend of stark blacks and whites and a few splashes of color,Werewolf By Nightcreates a visually stylistic masterpiece unlike anything else we’ve seen from Marvel. Just asWandaVisionperfectly embodied the era of classic sitcom television,Werewolf By Nightperfectly embodies the era of the Universal Monsters. It feels vintage and new at the same time; rugged and sleek. It’s a perfect Halloween special that delivers on both tricksandtreats for a thrilling hour of entertainment that will leave you howling for more. 9/10
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Joshua Ryan
Lead Film & TV Critics Editor
Articles Published :322
Born and raised in Central Florida, Joshua Ryan has harbored a love for cinema since the earliest years of his childhood. Through endless hours of watching Turner Classic Movies, especially the works of Alfred Hitchcock, his passion for film and film criticism grew. As an adult, he channeled that passion into a career as the editor and lead critic of FandomWire’s film and television department.
