The 1990’s were a fun time. The internet was in its infancy, a fun sideshow that was far from taking over our every waking moment. Video games were bought once and then you just “owned” them. Movies ruled the day, and they were still made on this thing called “film”. More importantly, most movies of the 90’s exuded something called “quality” that seemed to ooze through every frame. Some were quirky, some were wild or experimental, but the whole era was dripping with style and substance in a way that got lost in the 2000’s and beyond. And it was from this era that WOLF was born.
Released in 1994, WOLF stars the legendary Jack Nicholson at the height of his fame as Will Randall, an aging book publisher who gets replaced at his job by a younger, hungrier competitor Stewart Swinton, played by a James Spader. On the way to Vermont Randall is in an accident and get’s bitten by a wolf. Afterwards, he finds himself getting heightened senses, and at night he goes on wild excursions. Along the way, despite being married, he begins a relationship with his boss’s daughter Laura Alden (played by Michelle Pfeiffer) and then get’s wrapped up as a suspect in his own wife’s murder.
It’s classic 90’s thriller/drama mixed with werewolf stuff, and it’s the execution of it all that makes it special to me. It’s a very subtle movie, not over the top. It’s not loaded with blood and guts or slasher craziness. It’s takes its time, lets the characters show you who they are. It’s more about the main character Randall discovering his own power, not just the heightened sense of smell and hearing that comes along with his curse (or blessing?). But it all comes at a cost. The danger of losing control and going too far is right there, and when dancing on the razor’s edge it’s hard for him to tell where he ends and the monster begins.
Mike Nichols does a solid job with the directing here, having made classics like Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf (1966), The Graduate (1967), and The Birdcage (1996). You may notice that these movies are NOT horror films. These are cerebral dramas or a in one case a fun comedy. Movies that focus on characters and social dynamics more than tricks, and that shows in WOLF. The action is intense, but disciplined. The acting is subtle. Even the werewolf scenes feel subtle compared to the wilder fare we have seen after the turn of the millennium. We are not talking about Underworld style pyro techniques.
And that’s ok. This is a different type of Werewolf film. Possibly the most yuppie werewolf film ever made. Coming from the early 90’s, where the go go intensity of the 1980’s was really put in the rearview mirror, it’s no surprise that more mature film making took over and you would get this style of exploration of middle age over mind bending special effects. Not saying those aren’t appreciated as The Howling and An American Werewolf In London are all time classics that are both from 1981 deliver those things in droves. We just have something different here, something cooler and more thought provoking.
The movie is rounded out by surprise performances from David Schwimmer (of FRIENDS and Band Of Brothers fame), Richard Jenkins (The Shape Of Water, Step Brothers), David Hyde Pierce (Frasier), and Om Puri as well as Kate Nelligan. All give solid performances.
Having said all this, I’m not saying this movie will knock your socks off, or change your life, or quench your thirst for blood and guts. No, this is a different type of horror film. It’s more character study, and still fun. It’s a movie you should break out the wine and cheese for. This is a movie where you savor the flavor.
And it’s a fun romp for Halloween! It’s available right now on Amazon Prime and to rent on most streaming platforms. Hope you have a chance to enjoy it!