Wolf Garden

There's something about a movie that does things a bit differently from what you expect. This film isn't really a werewolf movie, more the story of a man losing his mind whilst the theme of werewolves is ever present and lurking in the shadows.

It's a slow burn and there's not a lot going on at times but its got so much atmosphere and tension that you are kept intrigued by what has happened or is going to happen.

The performances are pretty solid (the ghostly man was great) and the music and sound design are on point.

Aside from what felt like a quick ending to the film, I'd say this is well worth a look if you want something closer to The Shining than Dog Soldiers.

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.

This werewolf movie really embraces the slow-burn approach, and while it may test your patience at times, it pays off in the end. The deliberate pace builds tension steadily, allowing for a deeper exploration of the characters' fears and desires. When the transformation finally happens, it's a cathartic release that's both thrilling and chilling. Unlike your typical jump-scare fest, this film opts for a more psychological approach, delving into the complexities of human nature and the primal instincts that lurk within us all. It's a thought-provoking journey into the wild side of the human psyche, and definitely worth a watch for fans of slow-burn horror.

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.