Werewolf by Night (2022)
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A secret group of monster hunters competes for a powerful relic while facing a dangerous monster.
The story
Following the death of Ulysses Bloodstone, five experienced monster hunters, including Jack Russell, are summoned by Ulysses' widow, Verussa, to Bloodstone Manor. They are instructed to participate in a competitive hunt to determine their new leader, who will wield the powerful Bloodstone. Ulysses' estranged daughter Elsa also arrives to compete for the Bloodstone, despite Verussa warning her against doing so. The hunt begins in a large maze on the grounds of the manor, with a captured monster that has been implanted with the Bloodstone as the hunters' quarry.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Following the death of Ulysses Bloodstone, five experienced monster hunters, including Jack Russell, are summoned by Ulysses' widow, Verussa, to Bloodstone Manor to compete for the powerful Bloodstone. Ulysses' estranged daughter Elsa also joins the hunt. The competition takes place in a large maze where hunters must track a captured monster, "Ted," who has been implanted with the Bloodstone. Russell discovers Ted is a friend he intended to rescue, while Elsa kills one of the other hunters. Russell and Elsa eventually team up to free Ted and obtain the Bloodstone for Elsa, who is disillusioned with her father's legacy. After Ted kills another hunter, Russell destroys the maze wall to escape. However, the Bloodstone reacts violently to Russell's touch, revealing him as a monster. Verussa captures them and uses the Bloodstone to trigger Russell's werewolf transformation. The werewolf escapes, slaughtering guards, but is subdued by Verussa. Elsa also escapes, killing the remaining hunters and stopping Verussa from killing the werewolf. The werewolf spares Elsa and leaves. Verussa is incinerated by Ted, who leaves to find Russell. The next day, Russell awakens in the forest in human form with Ted watching over him, learning Elsa is safe.
- First release year
- 2022
- Runtime (minutes)
- 53
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Michael Giacchino
- Writers
- Heather Quinn · story; Heather Quinn · teleplay; Peter Cameron · teleplay
- Cast and characters
- Gael García Bernal · Jack Russell / Werewolf by Night; Laura Donnelly · Elsa Bloodstone; Harriet Sansom Harris · Verussa Bloodstone; Kirk R. Thatcher · Jovan; Eugenie Bondurant · Azarel; Leonardo Nam · Liorn; Daniel J. Watts · Barasso; Carey Jones · Ted / Man-Thing
- Genres
- Horror; Superhero
- Themes
- Legacy; Monstrosity; Survival
- Tone and mood
- Spooky; Atmospheric; Vintage
- Premise and plot tags
- Monster Hunt; Werewolf; Secret Society
- Source material / true-story basis
- Marvel Comics
- Franchise connections
- Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)
- Content notes
- Blood
- Reception
- The special received positive reviews from critics, with praise for its use of practical effects, the black-and-white cinematography, performances, Giacchino's direction and score, and its story.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 90% · review count: 113
- Production trivia
- The special was shot in color and early edits were also in color before being converted to black-and-white.; The werewolf design was inspired by the 1935 film Werewolf of London.; The special features a fully colored version released in 2023.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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