Common Sense Media Review
By Danny Brogan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Claustrophobic thriller goes nowhere despite sense of peril.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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The Wolf Hour
What's the Story?
In THE WOLF HOUR, reclusive author June Leigh (Naomi Watts) has cut herself off from society, living in a squalid apartment in a rough part of New York. With a serial killer on the loose and besieged by her paranoid thoughts, June watches from her window as a city begins to turn on itself. With her money running out, she must write a new novel, which in turn means facing her own demons.
Is It Any Good?
This disappointing psychological thriller fails to deliver on its initial promise. The Wolf Hour has all the attributes of a tense thriller. It's set during the 1977 blackouts in New York, when the city is in the midst of a severe heat wave and the infamous serial killer "Son of Sam" has everyone on edge. The reclusive June -- a barely recognizable Watts -- is tormented by agoraphobia, unable to leave the filthy apartment she resides in. Each time June's door buzzer sounds, it comes with a sense of dread. Might it be the killer, or some other realization of her paranoia?
Unfortunately, as the movie dithers along, so does any interest. It's akin to a rollercoaster's tension-building rise to the top without the heart-racing descent. The movie's themes include mental health, race, guilt, and sex. But rather than exploring them, it simply gives them broad brushstrokes. And that is at the heart of what's wrong with the movie: There are plenty of setups, but no reward.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the portrayal of mental health in The Wolf Hour. How does June's own mental health impact her life? Does it seem like a realistic portrayal? What do you know about agoraphobia?
Did the movie feel scary to you? Which parts? Why do people like scary movies?
The movie is set to the backdrop of the "Son of Sam" killings. What do you know about this period of history?
Discuss the end of the movie. Did it feel like a satisfactory conclusion? Why or why not?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 6, 2019
- On DVD or streaming : March 10, 2020
- Cast : Jennifer Ehle , Naomi Watts , Jeremy Bobb
- Director : Alistair Banks Griffin
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Brainstorm Media
- Genre : Thriller
- Run time : 99 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 15, 2022
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