‘Wolf’ Netflix Movie Review - A Bark With Bite, But Lost in the Pack

"Wolf," huh? Well, let's just say this film had its teeth sharpened, but it didn't quite manage to howl with the big wolves in the cinematic woods.

"Wolf" circles around Jacob, a guy who's dead-set on being a wolf trapped in a human suit. His family's answer? Ship him off to a clinic where they try everything short of a magic wand to de-wolf him. But hey, there's a silver lining—the enigmatic Wildcat, Jacob's hospital buddy. Surprise, surprise—they hit it off, and what starts as an odd friendship gets tangled up in some serious infatuation.

The big question here? Will Jacob trade in his wolf card for a shot at love? That’s the heartstring they're tugging at in this psychological drama.

Let’s shed some light on the brighter spots of "Wolf." First off, the screenplay deserves a pat on the back. It’s like a mixtape of horror, drama, and a sprinkle of romance that surprisingly hits the right notes. It's like someone threw genres into a blender and managed to make a halfway decent smoothie out of it.

George MacKay, Lily-Rose Depp, and Paddy Considine—they weren't just serving up performances; they were the culinary highlights of this cinematic buffet. MacKay's portrayal was like a simmering pot of depth and conviction, while Depp sprinkled an enigmatic charm that you couldn't quite shake off. And Considine? Well, his presence was like the perfectly aged wine that elevates the whole dining experience. In a film where characters were as deep as a kiddie pool, these three went above and beyond, bringing a much-needed depth that made you forget you were stuck in a rather shallow narrative pond.

Alright, let's delve deeper into the murky waters of disappointment that "Wolf" so eagerly paddled into.

Conceptual issues were this film's Achilles' heel. The whole concept of species dysphoria had potential—tapping into that raw human-animal conflict. Yet, it's like they dangled this shiny idea but never bothered to unwrap it fully. They left it hanging, an unexplored territory that could've added layers to the narrative. And then, the attempted parallel with conversion therapy programs? It was as flimsy as a house of cards in a hurricane. They tiptoed around the comparison, never committing to the depth it deserved.

Character development? More like character stasis. None of these on-screen personas experienced an ounce of growth or transformation. It's as if they hit the pause button on any potential arcs. They came, they stayed, they left—unchanged. You'd expect a smidgen of evolution, right? But nope, zero growth, zilch.

Now, let's tackle the elephant—well, in this case, the actual animals—in the room. Those scenes, involving real animals, were like a sour note in an otherwise mediocre symphony. It's a bold move that might sit heavy with many viewers. The discomfort these moments bring? It’s like biting into a chocolate chip cookie only to taste raisins. Uncomfortable? Absolutely. And that discomfort lingered longer than the movie's end credits.

In the end, "Wolf" barked up a tree, but it felt more like a dog chasing its own tail. Good efforts, and decent acting, but it didn’t quite sink its teeth into the bone it aimed for. Maybe it'll find a pack that appreciates its unique scent, but for now, it's just another lone wolf in the cinematic forest.

Final Score- [4/10]
Reviewed by - Anjali Sharma
Follow @AnjaliS54769166 on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times