Wolf Garden

Some think they are writers, directors, actors, but they are ... Some movies are bad, some offer a minimum of entertainment, some make you drowsy and sleep, some are just total waste of money and resources, well, this one is total waste of everything and an insult to entertainment. It is not even a slow-burn, it's nothing.

So sad for the beautiful and talented Chantelle.

• Screenplay/storyline/plots: 2
• Development: 3
• Realism: 4
• Entertainment: 1
• Acting: 4.5
• Filming/photography/cinematography: 5.5
• VFX: 7.5
• Music/score/sound: 4
• Depth: 1.5
• Logic: 1
• Flow: 0.5
• Horror/thriller: 2
• Ending: 1.5.

A new, and very different look at the werewolf genre. The tension builds all the way through this compelling film which is beautifully shot. The story concerns the troubled William and his love interest Chantelle and is focused on a cottage which is picturesque by day and sinister at night. William is constantly feeding an unknown creature in a shed at the bottom of the garden as the story gradually unfolds. Great performances by a minimal cast and it was only at the end that we discover that Wayne David, who plays the main character William, is also the writer and director. Thoroughly recommended.

Wolf Garden (2023) is a British movie that I recently watched on Shudder and is also available on Tubi. The storyline follows a man who has decided to live by himself in the woods after something bad has happened. He is haunted by visions of a woman and starts feeling like there's something in the woods watching him. As the man's story unfolds we uncover why the man lives alone, who the woman is/was and how it relates to the feeling of being watched.

This movie is written, directed by and stars Wayne David, in his directorial debut, and also stars Sian Altman (The House of Van Helsing), Grant Masters (Dark Encounter) and Jake Wood (The Illusionist).

This movie had the potential to be a solid character piece based on the circumstances, settings and subtle horror elements. The background growling for the beast was well done, but we needed way more scenes of the creature instead of just noises. The acting was average and fit the storyline. The ending "big reveal" was a let down, as was the transformation scene.

Overall, there's really nothing going on in this rare slow burn werewolf picture. I would score this a 3/10 and recommend skipping it.

If the story here was meant to be a mystery.

It's not a very well constructed one.

Because the answer is pretty obvious, from, more or less, the get go.

The majority of the plot is laid out with a series of flashbacks.

Intercut with moments from the present, where we watch the main character, William (played by writer/director Wayne David), feed something he keeps locked away in the shed on his property.

While suffering from a series of hallucinations that blur the line between what is real and what is psychological.

To add to the confusion, he refers to "that thing in the woods" as something different than what he is keeping in the shed.

Either way, it's supposed to be, partly a werewolf film, and partly an isolation induced psychological horror.

Though, not a whole lot goes on in the first two thirds of the film.

When the action does, eventually, kick off.

It's very underwhelming.

Merely being a bunch of growls in combination with some perspective shots.

So, short of actually seeing the creature...you are left to wonder if there are even any wolves at all.

Or if it is he, who is the only monster in the film.

For being, what is effectively, a one man show...with Wayne David having written, directed, and starring in the film...it's somewhat laudable.

Not being without it's merits.

Though, suffering from slow pacing, and lacking any real payoff, in the end.

Which, when combined with the sub par acting effort put forward...leaves you wondering why you invested the time to sit through it.

To his credit...he does throw a twist in, but it doesn't come to the very end of the film.

So, while it does tie up the loose ends, it seems little compensation for enduring through the rest of the film.

It's not too bad though.

And David certainly shows promise as a filmmaker.

I would like to see what he can do with a bit of a bigger budget.

Which would allow him to incorporate more special effects, and make the story a bit more exciting.

Because it kind of felt like a chore to sit through.

4.5 out of 10.

This movie was a great watch. Full of suspense, great visual and sound effects

It teases you just enough to think you know what's happening, but cleverly leads you up to that final big reveal. A slow burn, but intriguing and captivating at every moment and will make you jump a few times.

Intertwined in the Werewolf theme is a love story full of inner turmoil and mystery.

Performances from all the cast were spot on. I particularly enjoyed the Character development of William, which sees him holding onto the past, whilst struggling with his internal conflict around the present.

I would absolutely recommend this movie and hope to see more from Writer, Directer and Actor, Wayne David.