Werewolf by Night
Werewolf by Night
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Families need to know that Werewolf by Night is a Marvel Studios Special Presentation based on a popular 1972 comic. Part of the MCU, it's an homage to the horror movies of the 1930s and '40s, filmed almost entirely in black and white, and it has a werewolf as the main character. Featuring lots of suspense and terror, it includes many scenes of graphic violence, with blood splattering, necks ripped open, and characters bursting into flames. The monsters are mostly scary, although some characters and situations are so exaggerated that they border on funny. Though he's a monster, protagonist Jack (Gael García Bernal) is decent and loyal and doesn't want to cause harm.
Community Reviews
Black&white omage to oldschool classics
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Way too violent
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What's the Story?
Based on a 1972 comic, WEREWOLF BY NIGHT is Marvel Studios' first official foray into the horror genre. The hero, Jack Russell (Gael García Bernal), attends a mysterious ceremony at the Bloodstone Temple one night, in which a group of monster hunters will compete to defeat a dangerous creature in a labyrinth. Elsa Bloodstone (Laura Donnelly), legitimate heir to the relic, also participates in the competition. The winner will get a powerful relic and become the leader of the hunters. But Jack has other plans.
Is It Any Good?
Unlike other Marvel series on Disney+, which seem to be just extensions of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this unique story feels like a breath of fresh air. Werewolf by Night's sole purpose is to give fans a good scare during the Halloween season. It's filmed in black and white on studio sets, as a tribute to the classic horror films of the 1930s and 1940s. It should be noted that the story includes frightening monsters, plenty of suspense sequences, and graphic violence, which can be shocking for young children. The music by Michael Giacchino (who also makes his directorial debut with this film) is wonderful, as is the performance of Mexican actor Gael García Bernal, who gives his character fragility and an air of mystery.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how violence is used in this special. Does the fact that it's filmed in black and white make it less shocking or frightening?
Why do you think this is filmed in black and white? Did you know that it's an homage to classic horror movies, like Dracula, Frankenstein, and The Wolfman? Have you seen any of them? Do you think they're scary?
Are the two monsters that appear in the movie good friends with each other? What do you think of characters that have a good and loyal side and, at the same time, can transform into monsters and terrify people?
Is Jack Russell a role model? Why, or why not?
TV Details
- Premiere date: October 7, 2022
- Cast: Gael Garcia Bernal, Laura Donnelly, Leonardo Nam
- Network: Disney+
- Genre: Action
- Topics: Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: October 19, 2022
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Themes & Topics
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