Werewolves Within
Directed by Josh Ruben
★★★★
Description: WEREWOLVES WITHIN Still 7
Characters/Actors: Sam Richardson as “Finn Wheeler” and Milana Vayntrub as “Cecily Moore” in Josh Ruben’s WEREWOLVES WITHIN.
Type: Photos
Photo Credit: Courtesy of IFC Films. An IFC Fi
Reminiscent of an 80s goofball horror movie, Werewolves Within leans into its schtick, and it’s all the better for it.
Sam Richardson leads a cast of eccentric characters, who are played to perfection by a hilarious ensemble (think Knives Out, but dumb ass horror). Richardson plays the doting new park ranger Finn, new to the Beaverfield area. He comes across Milana Vayntrub’s (the adorable AT&T girl) Cecily, Beaverfield’s prior newbie and the town mail-person (gender is a construct), who introduces Finn to all of the wacky townspeople. People start disappearing and it’s up to Finn to figure out who or what is responsible, while also keeping the townspeople from pointing fingers at each other.
Director Josh Ruben, who is primarily known for his contributions to College Humor, holds a tight grasp over the film, every cut, every shot and every ad lib feels intentional and planned, which is not typically the case in this type of film. At a tight 96 minutes, Werewolves Within ends up being one of the tightest and funniest comedies in recent memory.
Where the film ultimately succeeds, though, is in its incredibly precise performances. Each character is perfectly cast and has their moment to shine. Richardson is reminiscent of his cheerful aide in Veep. In another actor’s hands Finn would’ve come off as annoyingly optimistic and dutiful, but Richards finds the genuine humanity in him, making his overly considerate quips believable.
Vayntrub is another standout in the stacked ensemble. She truly shines as the whip smart Cecily, who knows every bit of business about the townspeople and knows how they will react, before even they do. Rounding out the ensemble is the always reliable Michaela Watkins as the seemingly sweet yet obvious Trump supporting neighbor, her alcoholic and womanizing husband Michael Chernus, the horny and loud mechanic played by Sarah Baker and American Horror Story’s Cheyenne Jackson as half of the ‘gay power couple’.
Also, the film is based on the video game of the same name, which I had never heard of. Additionally, I never thought we’d see a good video game to movie adaptation, but we have finally gotten, not only a good one, but a great one!
The film is endlessly re-watchable and in a year that’s been filled with reminders of quarantine or bad big budget comedies, Werewolves Within’s dumb and wacky humor is just what we need.
