Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been met with a mixed response. Fans and critics alike are frustrated by the lack of focus on a new Endgame. The finish line is closing in with Avengers: Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars, making audiences excited to see how it all fits together. Werewolf By Night offers viewers a fresh story and genre for this universe in a brief 52-minute running time. Fans wondered how the special was connected to the larger universe, with theories pondering where Werewolf By Night could fit.
Werewolf By Night manages to subvert expectations by delivering something audiences have not seen before. Marvel’s first Halloween special is a tribute to classic monster and horror movies of the 1930s. The Easter eggs for Marvel fans and non-fans alike are endless. Premiering in the Halloween season gives Werewolf By Night a chance to become a new holiday favorite. Add in Marvel and old monster movie references, and there are lots of cinematic goodies to enjoy!
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Few References to the Larger MCU
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The plot of Werewolf by Night keeps things relatively simple. A group of monster hunters gathers at their deceased mentor’s house, Bloodstone Manor. What follows is a hunt of Man vs. Beast with some very shocking results. Such a description for an MCU property should explain how contained the story is. Fear not, Marvel fans, that does not mean teases of future MCU projects are not scattered throughout! One of the best refers to a team-up of heroes that already seems to be taking shape, The Midnight Sons.
Marvel’s fourth phase revolved around the occurrence of a certain Item, The Darkhold. The Darkhold is the dangerous book of spells that old and familiar heroes have dealt with. Being on the magical side of things, those heroes included Dr. Strange, Scarlet Witch, and Wong. The book’s power corrupted Wanda and was eventually what corrupted Strange himself. Something that dark and demented could be a way to bring monsters into the universe organically. Another possibility would be Jack Russell teaming up with Man-Thing – or its nickname in the special, Ted.
After a weird Phase Four, the MCU seems to finally be heading on a path to success. A character as obscure as Werewolf By Night certainly can lead to some interesting conversations, that is, after a special filled with very different Easter eggs.
More of An Homage to Classic Monster Movies
Director Michael Giacchino himself recommended different films to watch before the special. Werewolf By Night is an homage to classic Universal monster movies in more ways than one. The special focuses on the use of practical effects, crazy occultist characters, and even a familiar and retro score. Meeting the tribe of occultists led by actress Harriet Sansom appears like they are characters from gothic horror stories. These references are scattered throughout, with the practical effects being surprisingly realistic. Besides the CGI creature Ted/Man-Thing, the character of Werewolf By Night is made up of entirely practical effects.
Those practical effects are not revealed until later, which requires the score to do the heavy lifting. Having a classical score helps make details like the gore respectful tributes to what came before. Similarly to those classic monster movies, the Werewolf is not revealed until later in the episode. Before those more gory instances, time is focused on this crazy group of monster hunters. Every hunter shows respect for their fallen leader, similar to any cult movie. Once the hunting and transformations begin, the impressive body horror takes the stage.
Using practical effects for the Werewolf’s design is the icing on the cake. Most notably, in the third act, the Werewolf feels like a real breathing creature. His design feels like the Wolfman himself, making the gore tangible and viewers fearful of the outcome. Even the minute details of the over-the-top performances help make the special feel well-rounded. Running less than an hour does not mean audiences have been slighted by surprises.
Werewolf By Night is loaded with clever references for cinema fans and Marvel fans alike. Expanding the Marvel universe this way is a big risk for folks like Kevin Feige, making this supernatural corner of the universe feel fresh and exciting. Fiege has confirmed this will be important in the MCU’s future, showing the special’s significance. Once things wrap up with Elsa getting the infamous Bloodstone, the black and white aesthetic transfers, like WandaVision, into color. Loaded with details for anyone watching, there is plenty of fun to be had-and references to uncover in this spooky special!
