Will someone please acknowledge the greatness that is Frank Grillo?
Oh, you could make the argument that he already ‘made it’ with a key role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe several years ago. But you could also just as quickly argue that he was wasted there. With a snarl on his face and a shotgun in his hand, it feels like Grillo has been almost single-handedly keeping the VOD action-thriller market alive over the past decade. He’s fought drug cartels, corrupt police officers and even an evil video game. And, in every film, he takes on the content with intensity, no matter how silly.
And now, he’s back in theatres to take on some Werewolves.
In Werewolves, the world is fighting their inner nature. After a supermoon event triggers a latent gene within the body, the human race are transformed into bloodthirsty werewolves. The event caused chaos, leading to the death of over a billion people. Now, a year later, Wesley (Frank Grillo) and his team are doing advanced research in order to attempt to isolate and eliminate the faulty gene. But, as the next supermoon approaches, the world prepares for another vicious slaughter
Directed by Steven C. Miller, Werewolves is an action-horror that feels like a much bigger film. Limited by a relatively small budget, Miller ensures that each scene maximizes every dollar. With the sensibilities of a zombie horror, Werewolves does a solid job of emphasizing the claustrophobia of the world. Action scenes take place in blinking lights and heavy mist in order to keep the emphasis on the characters instead of the costumes and make-up. (Although, one can’t deny that the special effects are fairly effective on their own.) The film’s subplot about the wolves trying to break into his family’s homestead is well-executed. Frankly, it’s surprisingly effective and fun, even if there are moments when the cracks appear.
But, in the midst of it all is Grillo.
As Wesley, Grillo once again gives his all. Faced against monstrous odds, Grillo growls and guns his way through hordes of beastly brutes with a surprising amount of grit. He’s obviously in for the fun but he takes on the role with intensity. This isn’t a man who (often) quips after a kill. Instead, he’s laser-focused on getting back to his family at all costs. But, because he takes the material so seriously, we can’t help doing the same.
Admittedly, this doesn’t seem to be the type of film with any grand metaphor to share. With the exception of potential connections to the Pandemic, Werewolves simply wants to invite its audience to take the ride with it. This wants to be the type of throwback action killer-thriller that one might have gotten in the 80s and early 90s and it does so effectively.
While Werewolves isn’t going to be the type of film that takes a big bite out of a box office fueled by singing witches and animated wayfinders, that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth escaping the moon into a theatre to see it. Despite its silliness, the film is bloody, brutal and, most importantly, a lot of fun. Grillo’s films often have some teeth to them and this is another example of his ability to elevate a small actioner into something worth your time.
Werewolves is available in theatres on Friday, December 6th, 2024.
