Sometimes less is more. Werewolf by Night doesn’t try to reinvent the Marvel universe — and that’s precisely why it works. In just 52 minutes, Michael Giacchino delivers a sincere tribute to classic monster movies, with clear echoes of Universal and Hammer horror, wrapped in a black-and-white aesthetic that’s not just stylistic, but emotional. The atmosphere, the music, the production design… it all harks back to an era when horror was more about suggestion than gore.
The special doesn’t aim to be a key piece of the MCU, and that’s a relief. There’s creative freedom, dark humor, and a simple yet effective story that doesn’t get lost in multiverses or cameos. Gael García Bernal is excellent as Jack, and his chemistry with Laura Donnelly makes you wish for more of them together. The werewolf as a tragic and heroic figure works, and the pulp/grindhouse flavor adds a special twist that sets this apart from other Marvel projects.
It’s not perfect — the story could be more ambitious and some side characters feel underused — but as a tasty, lovingly made appetizer, it’s a win. It doesn’t reinvent anything, but it has soul.
Comments