Werewolves Within (2021) | Film Review

When you think of the better video game adaptations, typically your mind is peppered with countless nonsensical films ripe with minimalist plots, bad dialogue, and bombastic special effects. Rarely do you reflect back on those zippy horror-comedies stacked with character development, mystery, and a sharp wit. Mostly because they don’t actually exist… until now. Finally, with Werewolves Within, we have a winner.

As the new forest ranger, Finn (Sam Richardson), strolls into the sleepy New England town of Beaverfield for a fresh start, both he and the audience are immediately captivated by the lush surroundings. The woods are deep, overgrown, and blanketed in snow. There is an aura of small-town Americana still thriving, tucked away and hidden from the complexities of modern city life. The townsfolk are quirky and (mostly) kind. Oh, and one of them is potentially a viciously murderous lycanthrope.

Ushering Finn around immediately upon his arrival is Cecily (Milana Vayntrub), the cheekily upbeat town postal worker with a penchant for homegrown gossip of the salacious variety. After a clever setup where Cecily introduces Finn to all the players of this particular game, Beaverfield falls under prey to a blizzard which stymies communication, forcing all of these previously vetted characters to hole up together at the local Beaverfield Inn. When bodies start dropping, Finn is forced to pop on his best deerstalker cap (figuratively) and hunt down the respective slasher. Only trouble is, the local yokels believe they’re under siege from an actual werewolf.

Based on Ubisoft’s VR game and working off of Mishna Wolff’s script (could she have a better suited name?), Werewolves Within director Josh Ruben (Scare Me) immediately eclipses the curses of other video game adaptations by first delivering characters we actually give a damn about. Like any good murder mystery (Knives Out is the easiest comparison in recent memory), the more we familiarize ourselves with the townsfolk, the more we will both care about their safety AND wonder if they are also the ones barking at the moon while tearing at the flesh of their friends.

Ruben also crafts a delightfully madcap tone that is as though The Burbs and Clue had a child, and Gremlins dropped by to babysit. The stakes (still figuratively) could not be higher, and the humor captures an organic flavor that never feels forced. By allowing the characters to breathe life into this story with their woodsy eccentricities and topical social commentary, jokes and gore run hand-in-hand as they press together into a snowball of laughs and thrills, rolling into the film’s natural conclusion.

Werewolves Within also crafts a secondary puzzle of what if these murders were committed not by a beast of supernatural origins, but by a normal, neighborly maniac? Every town and its inhabitants harbor their secrets after all; why would Beaverfield be any different? Wolff’s script offers enough enticement for all of our players to wield their claws, giving viewers just enough pause to debate the finer details, such as who was where and with what.

The supporting cast smoothly tow the line between character and caricature, often times spring boarding back-and-forth in the same scene. It’s a delightful high wire act that keeps the audience entertained as we debate which of these nitwits is clawing up their neighborhood. An underlying plotline revolving around a pipeline coming through Beaverfield – some welcome the financial windfall, while others flippantly refuse to part with their quiet sanctuary – further adds to the tension and mystique, especially as the film forces neighbors to gather together in the second act.

Leading the way throughout are Sam Richardson and Milana Vayntrub as Finn and Cecily. Finn is a gentle, kindly soul who quotes Mr. Rogers and shouts things like “Heavens to Betsy!” when rattled. Richardson’s affable charm and aww shucks demeanor serves Finn well, as our makeshift detective grapples with local politics and neighborly gossip in an attempt to put the pieces together. Far too often in films of this ilk, our hero is a person of action and silent bravery. Richardson injects a level of normalcy and inner turmoil – a man struggling to find his hidden bravado – while also crafting a lead focused on community spirit and selflessness.

Likewise, Milana Vayntrub finally finds a vehicle worthy of her impressive comedic timing. Cecily is confident, a touch gossipy, and always at the ready with a quick riff on Time’s Up or a well-placed side-eye. Vayntrub’s sharp wit is on full display as her verbal barbs are as pertinent to Cecily as a person as any package she may or may not deliver. Her easy relatability and swift chemistry with Richardson create a character I just love cutting back to anytime the film allows, and honestly could have used even more of. In terms of standouts, Vayntrub delivers.

Josh Ruben alerted audiences to his presence with Scare Me, and with this film he has risen to the level of a must-see director. Cultivating a talented cast led by Sam Richardson and Milana Vayntrub, weaving together a gleefully madcap tone all its own, and tying in Mishna Wolff’s smartly paced script; Werewolves Within is not only in the running for the best video game adaptation to date, but it’s also one of the most fun movies of the summer.

Literally.

Follow our further discussion on Werewolves Within via this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast: